Quick question.... By the way... hello from charleston sc.... Just got my fj cruiser.... Love it... Just joined the forum.... Found the upstate guys on Facebook... Anyways.... I was out on some trails this afternoon.... I put the. While in neutral... Went to 4h... Back to drive.... Still stuck... Dropped it to 4l.... Still stuck.... It almost felt like it was not in 4 wheel. But when it went to 4l the light came on that indicated it.... Is there something I am missing?
Am I this stupid?
- Thread starter FJcrusin
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You can shift to 4H on the fly without putting the transmission into neutral (will need to be in neutral to shift to 4L). When you shift into 4H all the nanny lights should come on and the green 4x4 light should come on. In 4H you won't feel a difference in the gear ratio but you definitely would in 4L.
Assuming you have ATRAC and the E-Locker: When the ATRAC engages, you will feel (and hear) it in the front end and when you're locked, the red 4x4 light will flash indicating that it is trying to engage but will go solid once you're locked.
Any mods to your FJ or are you completely stock? Assuming it was mud you were stuck in, tires make all the difference in the world. Also, the Swamp Fox Land Cruisers are based in Charleston and you should check them out as they have a meeting coming up on Feb. 1st. You can find them in the Clubhouse section of IH8MUD: https://forum.ih8mud.com/sc-swamp-fox-land-cruisers/
Assuming you have ATRAC and the E-Locker: When the ATRAC engages, you will feel (and hear) it in the front end and when you're locked, the red 4x4 light will flash indicating that it is trying to engage but will go solid once you're locked.
Any mods to your FJ or are you completely stock? Assuming it was mud you were stuck in, tires make all the difference in the world. Also, the Swamp Fox Land Cruisers are based in Charleston and you should check them out as they have a meeting coming up on Feb. 1st. You can find them in the Clubhouse section of IH8MUD: https://forum.ih8mud.com/sc-swamp-fox-land-cruisers/
I welcomed you on the UC facebook page. Glad you found us. Danomite is spot on, as far as the 4WD modes are concerned.
- Thread starter
- #4
There are no lights that come on... no 4X4 or anything like that... and no additional lights flash when in 4h.... when you shift to 4L it shows the anti sway looking light. I looked up the vin and it is a 4X4 a5/m6. I have found nothing on the vehicle indicating an ATRAC or anything like that... I am soooo confused its rediculous....
Do you have the "RR DIFF LOCK" and "A-TRAC" buttons like in the picture below?
When you put it in 4H, do these lights in the next two pictures come on?
When you put it in 4H, do these lights in the next two pictures come on?
congrats re getting your FJC and welcome to the Forum ... its not explained that well in the owner's manual ... have a look at the suggested Blue Room thread and there are others there ... trust me, you're not the first person confused ... you may not have had Atrac engaged i.e. you have to push the button shown in the picture to turn it on ... I leave the Atrac button on because it only works when the truck is in 4 wheel drive ... it begs the question, how did you get "unstuck" ...
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- #8
I do not have the ATRC... however we found the problem yesterday and taking it in today to get fixed... it was an electronic issue .... it wasnt locking anything.... so its taken care of none the less.... so technically I got stuck because I wasnt in 4 wheel drive...... but I got "unstuck" by my buddy in his jeep/.
If you have the factory rear locker, you can add ATRAC yourself by purchasing the $40 button switch from your dealer. Just pop the blank out of the panel...top row, 2nd from right. The wiring is already there, so its just a matter of plug n play to add ATRAC.
Fully illustrated instructions here: http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/4x4-off-road-tech/3878-trac-switch-install-pics.html
Fully illustrated instructions here: http://www.fjcruiserforums.com/forums/4x4-off-road-tech/3878-trac-switch-install-pics.html
ahhhh, okay ... glad you found the problem ...maybe an actuator connection ... I have a friend who's had three actuators put in his Taco under warranty, but he's in and out of water a lot ...
ADD, most likely.
Pretty common failure and noted by the lack of indicators on dash.
If the lights do not illuminate, I've yet to hear of an instance where 4WD was engaged, and the typical issue is the ADD or something to do with the wiring of.
Pretty common failure and noted by the lack of indicators on dash.
If the lights do not illuminate, I've yet to hear of an instance where 4WD was engaged, and the typical issue is the ADD or something to do with the wiring of.
Yeah, I forgot about the ADD issue. Easy fix is to remove the ADD motor, open it up and solder the connections. From the factory, the two main connections to the motor are just prongs that "rest" against the power poles inside the ADD housing. After jostling around its possible that the connections deflect and stop touching.
- Thread starter
- #13
So.... It is at the dealership.... Turns out the salesman that sold me the fj sucks at life..... And shame on me for not doing more research on it before I bought it..... There were factory recalls that needed to be done.... They can't figure out the problem with the 4 wheel drive and that's how it was sold to me.... So stuck in a loaner... Thanks for the tip about the ATRAC.... Will deff be adding that I next.... I just started on getting parts and stuff.... But not a good start to the vehicle itself... Luckily I bought it out right and purchased every warranty possible
About midway down this thread, there's a link to the ADD write up by 1911. It's thorough and is , more than likely, your issue.
Thatcabledude encountered similar and his solution is described, too.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj-cruiser/784115-help-determining-lack-4wd.html
Could be the switches in the transfer case....
Can you hear it attempting to engage in the cab?
Thatcabledude encountered similar and his solution is described, too.
https://forum.ih8mud.com/fj-cruiser/784115-help-determining-lack-4wd.html
Could be the switches in the transfer case....
Can you hear it attempting to engage in the cab?
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- #15
Yeah I hear it fine.... Dealership called me this morning and they found the issue. It was the ADD..... Now a quick question. Everyone is talking about adding the ATRAC. It has the R/R Lock Diff button, what will the ATRAC do?
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- #16
So they ordered the part to fix it.... was the ADD.... thanks guys. Should be back in it on Tuesday
ATRAC is traction control when in 4Lo, using the ABS to pulse the wheel to avoid wheel spin. Very effective tool when off-roading in technical sections...
1911's write up is great ... have read it a few of times and learn something each time ... still not sure I fully understand ADD issues ...
thatcabledude
GOLD Star
For s***s and giggles you should ask them what exactly is wrong with the ADD.
