Front 4wd actuator

I am getting conflicting information on YouTube.

I have a 2001, and several of the videos say that 2000-2003 Tundras have the front actuator actually running on vacuum, and actually showed applying air to one of the lines to lock the front axles.

Others are saying it is all electrical, and that the vacuum hoses are for venting.

I have had the blinking light issue in the past, and with use, it worked its way out. Now I am getting the blinking light that won't go out.

I don't want to pull and replace the actuator unless I have to.

 

should be electric i believe. the vacuum line youll see on the actuator should just be a single 1/8" line thats just a breather for the case of the actuator.

be sure to give the actuator on the t case and diff a few taps to see if it'll go out of gear. but usually blinking light that wont go off in my experience is the transfer case actuator or position sensor.


but it can also be the front diff actuator...

 

@empty_lord is correct. No vacuum, that rubber hose is just a breather line. Are you hearing either actuator run when you push the 4HI button? The transfer case actuator should move first, followed by the A.A.D. (Front Axle) actuator.
Try the tappy-tap method empty_lord prescribed and let us know

 

I have the same issue with my 01 tundra. I get the 4hi light flashing. I can hear the actuator on the t-case when I push the button but not the front actuator. Debating pulling the a.a.d and inspecting the motor and worm gear possibly being gunked up or maybe there's an issue at the plug. The plug looked clean when I checked it but I didn't probe it at the time.

 

Biggest issue with these (which has been discussed many times) is the actuator freezing up from not being used.
Give the A.A.D. Actuator a couple of good hits with a hammer when you have it in 4HI, and perhaps you'll be able to free it up. You'll hear it move the diff lock if you can free it up.

 

Mine is new from Amazon and stays engaged when disengaging i hear transfer actuator working but not front just stays engaged. Any advice? I'm thinking it's deffective .

 

Found your problem.

NEVER buy your auto parts on scAmazon or fleaBay. Not only is it full of counterfeit and grey market products, and you never truly know if you'll get authentic product, but there's no recourse for you as the consumer if you get fake product and that damages your vehicle, or causes bodily harm, totals the truck.

Again, @Paulb72 we have a very comprehensive thread on 4WD diagnostics, I shared it for you in your original thread on this subject. Did you check it out? 4WD diagnostics: https://www.tundras.com/posts/3729752

Other 4WD tips, parts buying tips, and misc stuff you need to know about your truck in this thread: https://www.tundras.com/threads/so-you-wanna-buy-just-bought-a-1st-gen-tundra-eh.115928/

Look, I know both are long reads, but we didn't stuff years of collective knowledge into those threads for the fun of it