Toyota Hilux 2003 D4D 4Wd Problem

[Dace1978]

Hi!

I had a look around for a thread on this but didn't come across a similar problem.

My father has a 2003 Toyota Hilux which has just developed a problem with the four wheel drive. It worked fine over the winter when we had the bad snow, and it's worked fine a couple of times since. The other day when he put it into 4WD it was driving along fine, but whenever he tried to turn corners it would stall. The transmission seems to lock between a quarter and full lock of the steering wheel in either direction. Has anyone here come across this problem or heard of it happening on other Toyotas? It has auto front hubs if that makes any difference.

While I'm asking, does anybody know where you can get a workshop manual for this particular model? Every time I look on eBay or Google it it's always the wrong decade or type!

Cheers in advance for any suggestions!

[dervdave]

Sounds like the hubs are still locked, have you tried reversing a little way after taking out of 4wd ?

[Dace1978]

It goes in and out of 4WD fine, but when it's in 4WD you can't turn.

[dervdave]

It goes in and out of 4WD fine, but when it's in 4WD you can't turn.

Thats normal because the front diff is locked and doesn`t allow the slippage on hard surfaces which there is on snow or off road.

It will cause damage if you use 4wd on the road.

[Dace1978]

It can't be normal because it's a new problem. Diff Lock is off and the problem happens in both H4 and L4. I'll phone and ask him tonight if he's tried to switch Diff Lock on and off to see if that makes a difference. I don't think Diff Lock has ever been engaged on it (never had the need to). I borrowed it during the bad snow we just had in the winter and there was no problems turning corners in 4WD weather it was a snowy or freshly ploughed and gritted road. The only reason my father was putting it in 4WD this time was as per the manuals recommendation of 20km in 4WD for every 1000km you drive on normal roads (I'll check the exact reason why when I see him next.)

Would it be possible that a malfunction in the 4WD system is activating Diff Lock without manually activating it from the dash?

Sorry if I'm stabbing in the dark here, I'm just typing what I'm thinking as I'm replying! Thank you for showing an interest

I'll have a word with my father tonight and mention the Diff Lock to him.

[Dace1978]

just had a chat with my old man, the Diff Lock is for the rear wheels only. The manual states that it is fine to use 4WD on tarmac. It only gets used in 4WDlike that that if it hasn't been off road in a while (Putting it in 4WD for a minimum of 20km per 1000 is something to do with keeping the front wheel drive part lubricated). It hasn't done anything like this in the four years he's owned it so it's a newly developed problem. It's probably going to be a garage job, but still hoping someone has heard of a similar problem and may know the solution.

[dervdave]

Well I still think the vehicle is in 4wd even though the light may be off, this can often happen when using 4wd on the road because of axle `windup`.

jack it up and check to see.

[Dace1978]

I've heard of axle wind up whilst checking for this problem on google, but it always comes up with people talking about the Surf. We'll jack the front end up this week to have a look. Am I right in thinking that if it's in 2WD (and neutral) then the front wheels should turn freely? Also, if there is no diff lock then should we be able to turn the wheels independently of each other?

Not sure exactly when we'll do it, but will let you know exactly what the results were. Cheers :-)

[dervdave]

I've heard of axle wind up whilst checking for this problem on google, but it always comes up with people talking about the Surf. We'll jack the front end up this week to have a look. Am I right in thinking that if it's in 2WD (and neutral) then the front wheels should turn freely? Also, if there is no diff lock then should we be able to turn the wheels independently of each other?

Not sure exactly when we'll do it, but will let you know exactly what the results were. Cheers :-)

Yes the wheels should turn independent.

I`ve experienced symptoms similar to axle wind up on my Hilux after a longish run not long after I bought it because of a near empty back diff due to a leaking oil seal.

[mudslut]

dervdave is correct in what he says.lift the front up and check the vsv are switching the 4wd on and off,check the wheels freely.deffo DONT run the vehicle on tarmac unless its icy or snow covered because youll damage the transmission due to wind up.only use 2wd unless your slipping or off road.the reason youre having trouble now is the trans is wound up an maybe even broke.try reversing the truck up it might free it up.theres plenty of info here.. hilux pickup owners club hpoc.co.uk