4WD ECU access behind glovebox? 2013 4Runner

Hello, First post/thread on this site.

My 4WD ECU needs to be replaced (part# 89533-35290). I have attempted to access the part via the glove box but have not been successful. How do you access this part for removal? Not a lot of info on the internet about this unit and how to remove/replace it. I have attached a pic for reference (green highlighted part). Any assistance would be appreciated. Joel in Kenora, Ontario, Canada.

 

Cant help you on your question. But I’m curious about how the part failed, or was diagnosed to be bad. I’ve heard that these are fairly simple units, and are basically a mechanical switchbox. The Car care nut mentioned it in one of his videos, and that the switches can go out of phase and need some sort of resetting if you shut off your car in the middle of a shift to 4wd.

 

Thanks for answering.
Yes the part was diagnosed at dealership to be faulty and needed to be replaced. I have done some "plug & play" repairs on previous vehicles and thought I would tackle this. Managed to get the part fairly cheap but I can't access the dash to replace it, hence my post on this forum. Joel

 

I’m curious, what was the estimated labor at the dealership to R&R the part?

 

Just look at the hours the dealership had quoted.

If its a shit ton I'm guessing the dash has to come off.

 

Guys, not sure what they quoted as the paperwork from the recent attendance is not with me presently. I will find it and post it shortly. I'm still surprised that this "topic" hasn't hit these forums before. Thanks, Joel

 

I’ve been following these forums for years and your thread is the first I’ve seen regarding the 4wd control module.

 

for instructions on removing the glove box. I’m not positive it will give you access to the 4WD module but it’s worth a look.

 

First off I found the doc with the cost estimate ... $598.66 (Canadian with taxes in). Secondly, thanks for the info on the glove box removal; I'll check it out and report back on this forum. Thanks again, Joel

 

Sounds like a few hours of labor. Hopefully it’s not as bad as changing a heater core. I had to do that twice on my 87’ Mustang. The third time it failed, I sold the car and bought my first Toyota. Job was a nightmare.

 

Looking forward to that. If you have a chance, take a few photos of the area behind the glove box and post them.

And let me add: Welcome to the forum!

 

Hello
I appreciate to have answers on below questions
1. By replacing the ECU what could happen to the VIN number? Is it possible write your own vin number on the new ECU?
2. Sometimes when I start my 2010 the engine has misfire, has vibration... Hopefully it becomes fine after restarting the engine. Could it be as a result of faulty ECU?

 

Appreciate this thread greatly, as I've been fighting a mouse problem where they had built a nest on top of the passenger air filter. I stopped them (so far) by installing expanded metal grate material over the fresh air input ports under the panel cover for the windshield wipers. Now I have the glove box out as part of the cleanup, and I'm trying to determine if I can buy the little plastic "roof" over the filter which the mice ate a large hole out of. Have not been able to find the part looking at the online parts diagrams.