Problem going from 4wd to 2wd

2018 sr5 trd. I’ve had 4wd trucks for 20 years and live in winter wonderland half the year. If I’m driving in 4hi, the truck will not disengage back into 2wd unless I’m at a dead stop. The 4hi light just blinks and is still in 4wd. I’ve let off the gas, gone into neutral while driving, hit brakes hard, little jolt turns... all the tricks to try and get it to disengage. I’m still under warranty and am going in a couple weeks to have it looked at, but I thought some of y’all would know what’s going on. Haven’t had much luck finding others with similar issue.

When I called the dealership the guy is telling me that switching on the fly should be done at like 20mph. I told him it won’t disengage unless I’m literally stopped. He thinks I’m doing something wrong. I didn’t argue and just scheduled appointment.

Roads I drive can go from bare pavement to snow covered. Or if I’m on the highway and get behind someone going 30mph, want to pass on the snow covered left lane, I should be able to go in and out of 4wd at 40-50 mph. Truck did that fine up until recently.

 

I live in a snow area too and did just what you described this morning. The road went from snow covered to wet so I changed from 4wd to 2wd at around 30 mph. It blinked for a few sec then the light turned off. I usually just point the wheels straight and let off the gas when I switch in to or out of 4wd. I haven’t had any issues like having to stop.

You will probably have to do a ride along with the tech and show them the issue, or they’ll just say it’s normal.

 

Toyota says it should shift back and forth from 2WD to 4Hi at any speed less than 62 MPH.
https://www.toyota.com/t3Portal/document/om-s/OM0C009U/pdf/OM0C009U.pdf
Page 297. Sounds like something is amiss.

 

You can definitely shift from 4hi to 2wd over 20mph, I've done it a million times. Sometimes it takes a second or I have even out my speed but I never have to come to a stop. They either don't know or are trying to blow you off, set them straight either way.

 

When toggling from 4Hi to 2WD I usually experience a slight delay. I've noticed it won't disengage if the throttle is engaged.

 

Something isn’t right. I’ll report back.