2020 Toyota Tundra with 58k miles 4x4 issue

[PWMDMD]

Truck is a 2020 Tundra with 58k miles. Meticulously maintained and just had 4x4 fluids serviced at 50k miles. I use 4Hi pretty often and every month or two initiate 4-Lo to make sure the actuator doesn't stick.

There were a bunch of cars in my driveway and I didn't want to back all the way down the long driveway so ended up backing up into about 8" of snow covered in a crust of ice. I got a little further off the driveway than intended (usually try and keep front tire on pavement) and got stuck in 2WD. I popped it into 4Hi and gave some gas and all four wheels spun. I decided to put it neutral and engage 4Lo. I gave it a little gas and the dash lit up like a Christmas tree with both 4Hi and 4Lo flashing, ABS light was on, Traction light was on, Pre-collision system malfunction, Drive start control malfunction, Trailer break error.

My wife just had a total knee replacement and she needed to go to PT so I left it for an hour and when I came back and started truck same lights are on and it will not go into 4WD. It's now stuck in the front yard and it's going to be at least until the middle of next week before I will be able to get it out with only 2WD working. That's not a problem as my wife can't drive for awhile anyway but wondering if anyone has any guidance?

 

[KrisZ]

Usually when the dash lights up like a Christmas tree, it’s a sign of either a weak battery or a problem with the charging system. I would start there. Charge the battery and see how it goes.
You may need to scan for codes though and clear them. They may have been set and may not clear on their own.

 

[edyvw]

Truck is a 2020 Tundra with 58k miles. Meticulously maintained and just had 4x4 fluids serviced at 50k miles. I use 4Hi pretty often and every month or two initiate 4-Lo to make sure the actuator doesn't stick.

There were a bunch of cars in my driveway and I didn't want to back all the way down the long driveway so ended up backing up into about 8" of snow covered in a crust of ice. I got a little further off the driveway than intended (usually try and keep front tire on pavement) and got stuck in 2WD. I popped it into 4Hi and gave some gas and all four wheels spun. I decided to put it neutral and engage 4Lo. I gave it a little gas and the dash lit up like a Christmas tree with both 4Hi and 4Lo flashing, ABS light was on, Traction light was on, Pre-collision system malfunction, Drive start control malfunction, Trailer break error.

My wife just had a total knee replacement and she needed to go to PT so I left it for an hour and when I came back and started truck same lights are on and it will not go into 4WD. It's now stuck in the front yard and it's going to be at least until the middle of next week before I will be able to get it out with only 2WD working. That's not a problem as my wife can't drive for awhile anyway but wondering if anyone has any guidance?

I don’t think it got engaged. To me, 4WD on these platforms can be temperamental when engaging or disengaging.
I would disconnect battery and connect and see if lights come back. I know some who had problems with it say to tap TC.

 

[PWMDMD]

Usually when the dash lights up like a Christmas tree, it’s a sign of either a weak battery or a problem with the charging system. I would start there. Charge the battery and see how it goes.
You may need to scan for codes though and clear them. They may have been set and may not clear on their own.

Battery is good - I have a unit that measures it and send voltages to an app. The fact that it happened when I shifted to 4Lo and now won't go into 4Hi or 4Lo has me thinking something failed in the 4x4 system - computer, sensor, the 4Lo actuator. At the time of the lights, there were no audible bangs or clanks or anything.

 

[PWMDMD]

I don’t think it got engaged. To me, 4WD on these platforms can be temperamental when engaging or disengaging.
I would disconnect battery and connect and see if lights come back. I know some who had problems with it say to tap TC.

Yeah...I was thinking of disconnecting the battery. I'll try that tomorrow. I was really hoping the 1 hour rest was going to do the trick.

Tap TC?

 

[edyvw]

Yeah...I was thinking of disconnecting the battery. I'll try that tomorrow. I was really hoping the 1 hour rest was going to do the trick.

Tap TC?

Yeah, tap TC. I guess to wake up actuator? Not sure.
I had temperamental 4lo too. Doesn’t want to come out. Put back to P, r, D, then N, nothing. Repeat again, and then disengages. 4hi will go in in a breeze if moving, if not, depends. If TC warm, no problems, if not, takes time.

 

[PWMDMD]

Yeah, tap TC. I guess to wake up actuator? Not sure.
I had temperamental 4lo too. Doesn’t want to come out. Put back to P, r, D, then N, nothing. Repeat again, and then disengages. 4hi will go in in a breeze if moving, if not, depends. If TC warm, no problems, if not, takes time.

I'm sorry, I don't know what "tap TC" means?

 

[edyvw]

I'm sorry, I don't know what "tap TC" means?

I guess you tap transfer case with something, wrench etc. Never did it myself.

 

[PWMDMD]

I guess you tap transfer case with something, wrench etc. Never did it myself.

Ah...thank you!

 

[PWMDMD]

Ok...I was pulled out by the GULP...the Kia Soul. Initially felt like it was in 4Hi but wouldn't shift past 4th gear. I stopped, popped it into 4Hi and the 4Lo and back to 4Hi and now everything seems fine. Moves into 4Hi and 4Lo and 2WD drive.

My son was amused I was saved by the Kia...lol

 

[Hirev]

I can't say this is your problem but I have found with many toyota 4wd systems it is best to drive at least 20 plus feet if you are in 4wd low and want to go into 4wd high or vice versa. Otherwise it can confuse the system once in awhile or often. My newest 4 runner is worse for this than past toyotas.

 

[KrisZ]

Ok...I was pulled out by the GULP...the Kia Soul. Initially felt like it was in 4Hi but wouldn't shift past 4th gear. I stopped, popped it into 4Hi and the 4Lo and back to 4Hi and now everything seems fine. Moves into 4Hi and 4Lo and 2WD drive.

My son was amused I was saved by the Kia...lol

I was going to suggest rocking it back and forth, as perhaps the actuator was simply stuck in between the gears. Happens all the time with motorcycle transmissions when stopped and the gear lever doesn't want to engage any gear.

Looks like you moving the truck with another vehicle probably solved this issue. Would be interesting if you can actually replicate this situation.

 

[PWMDMD]

I didn't think the Kia was going to help...it was pulling at an angle and as soon as the strap pulled tight the read end of it slide sideways to point straight at the truck and the truck didn't move at all but then it let go and moved.

 

[KrisZ]

You gotta do what you gotta do, no shame in using whatever is available at your disposal.

Well, as long as you don't end up like this, I guess lol

 

[Oey12]

Possibly a wheel speed sensor. Snapped one off and had the exact same issues in a 2017 4Runner.

Everything was disabled in the middle of a snowstorm.

 

[PWMDMD]

Possibly a wheel speed sensor. Snapped one off and had the exact same issues in a 2017 4Runner.

Everything was disabled in the middle of a snowstorm.

Since everything is fine now, I think because it was stuck in the ice/snow it was just half engaged between 4Hi and 4Lo. It didn't return to normal until I was able to drive forward and cycle through 2WD-->4Hi-->4Lo-->4Hi-->2WD.

 

[barkingspider]

Glad your truck is back to normal.

 

[PWMDMD]

Glad your truck is back to normal.

Thanks, me too. I love this truck. It's the first vehicle in 30 years of driving I've become emotionally attached to...lol.

 

[edyvw]

Since everything is fine now, I think because it was stuck in the ice/snow it was just half engaged between 4Hi and 4Lo. It didn't return to normal until I was able to drive forward and cycle through 2WD-->4Hi-->4Lo-->4Hi-->2WD.

Yep. That is what I had to do several times. Did not want to come out of 4lo. Go to P, then R, than N, try it, cycle between 4Hi, 2WD, back to 4Lo.

 

[Oey12]

Thanks, me too. I love this truck. It's the first vehicle in 30 years of driving I've become emotionally attached to...lol.

I have a 2020 and it hands down my favorite vehicle I have ever owned. I completely understand the emotional attachment.