4 - Lo issues

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Joined
Aug 1, 2025
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cairns
Recently purchased a 2008 200 Sahara. Drives mint and tows great. however I’ve not been able to put in 4 - Lo. Following lights come on dash- vsc- engine- ! - and the 4 - Lo flashes constant. Left me stranded as I it wouldn’t go back in to 4 hi. It’s in the workshop atm getting new actuator but that hasn’t fixed the problem. What a bummer.
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The symptoms (not being able to get into 4lo) could be a lot of things unrelated to the drive train. Evap codes are a typical thing that causes this and all you need to do is clear the codes with an OBD2 reader. The first step is scanning for codes.
 
There is more in this thread than just actuator info.

 
Diesel or petrol?

That could really change the facts on emissions as a cause. Yes very different evap strategies, but a lot more complexity in the diesel exhaust system.

Either way please post the details and results. Anything helps the knowledge base here, even if most of us are in the states with the 3UR gasoline engine.
 
Does it have the oem rear diff lock? If that one is blocked it can also cause the problem.

Oh another possibility is the sensor for the diff lock. If the motor is spinning but the sensor doesn’t give info it will also get stuck there. Easy to bridge it since it is a normal two wire NC sensor.
 
Hey, thanks for the advise and info. Still no 4 Lo. Have replaced the whole transfer case with genuine Toyota transfer case. Brand new actuator assembly and brand new Toyota module. It’s still not going into 4 Lo. We are all scratching our heads. Not sure what to do next. Any ideas would be great. I’m at a loss as is the mechanic. Codes have been cleared also. Is it possibly a timing issue with the transfer case? Probably something simple that we are over looking
 
Is the actuator moving? i.e. is it getting power and trying to engage?
I would take it off and try it, and check for power.
 
Was the T-Case fluid warmed up by a few miles first? Both my LX570 (since sold) and 200 did this from new, and the 200 continues to do this. Affects the center diff lock as well. If the T-Case fluid is not sufficiently warmed up (cold weather can be a pain) it has challenges going into 4LO and even more challenges shifting back into 4HI. Once it is even slightly warmed up the issues goes away.
 
Obviously you’ve replaced all the obvious parts. Agree with above about verifying the function of the actuator. Then you have to get it clocked correctly.
Do you hear the relay in the 4wd module clicking?

Did you follow the fsm trouble shooting steps?
 
Obviously you’ve replaced all the obvious parts. Agree with above about verifying the function of the actuator. Then you have to get it clocked correctly.
Do you hear the relay in the 4wd module clicking?

Did you follow the fsm trouble shooting steps?
It’s a brand new module also. Hearing some clicking but it’s not enagaging. How do you clock it correctly?
 
In my experience, almost every gremlin with flashing lights comes back to water ingress. I would read one of the three hundred threads on water and have a look under the kick panels.
 
You replaced the whole transfer case? With new? If so, there should be no need to open the TC actuator to check the clocking. Really you’re risking doing harm or voiding warranty if so.

Agree water ingress should be checked for. Also the basic troubleshooting in the FSM.. realistically this rec should be top of the list for complex problems such as this.
 
Hey, thanks for the advise and info. Still no 4 Lo. Have replaced the whole transfer case with genuine Toyota transfer case. Brand new actuator assembly and brand new Toyota module. It’s still not going into 4 Lo. We are all scratching our heads. Not sure what to do next. Any ideas would be great. I’m at a loss as is the mechanic. Codes have been cleared also. Is it possibly a timing issue with the transfer case? Probably something simple that we are over looking
Wait, what? Why are you replacing these very expensive items? That is absurd. You need to find someone who can get the ****ing thing properly diagnosed before throwing parts at it.
 
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