hi ,I recently bought a 2006 v8 4runner,It will not lock the rear diff,the light just flashes,what am I doing wrong,please help!

Are you in 4lo? if not you need to be. Also drive forward a few feet straight if you still don't get a solid light gently turn the wheel side to side while driving forward, it should lock after a few feet and the gears line up. good luck

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'05 SR5 4runner 4x4
'94 SR5 4runner 4x4 (for sale)
'87 SR5 4runner 4x4 rockcrawler

thanks I tried that and nothing seems to work,I think it may have a problem,what is the warranty on the 4runners powertrain?

Bummer, I think 60,000 miles but could be wrong...

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'05 SR5 4runner 4x4
'94 SR5 4runner 4x4 (for sale)
'87 SR5 4runner 4x4 rockcrawler

this sucks, I hope its under warranty I have 40k miles ,I will try again tomorrow.An old man had it before me most likely was never used.Thanks for your help,still trying to get use to all the functions of the 4wd system.

Read through your owners manual and make sure you are actuating it correctly.

'06's don't lock the rear diff. They lock the middle, or transfer case differential. The center diff should only be locked on slippery surfaces. It should lock in 4hi or 4lo.

I'm not trying to be a When you take it to the dealer the more you know the better your chances for the desired outcome. The better you tell them what's wrong the more likely they'll fix it the first time.

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Chris
07 Salsa SR5, 4wd Cyclone pre-cleaner , Aux Transmission Cooler, Hidden Hitch 70779 (600/6000lbs, WDH=730/7300lbs), AirLift 1000, FJCruiser front springs (& now rear too!), Axle Vent Mod, Swaybar Bushing Upgrade, V6 Tick Reduction, VSC off mod, Maplight Mod, 255/75/17 Goodyear Wrangler SAs

thanks, I did not know that,What is the difference between the diff lock and the downhill assist,man this is confusing to me.I do not plan to do much offroading I just want to make sure everything works properly.This is a awesome Forum btw.

The center diff lock, will put power at a 50/50 split front and rear and the front and rear axles will rotate at the same speed. You should not lock the center diff on dry pavement. When the center diff is locked, VSC is also disabled and you can spin your tires and 4Runner (doing donuts) to your heart's desire.

Downhill assist control (DAC) works only in 4L. Once the DAC button is pressed, take your foot off both the brake and gas, the 4Runner will roll along at 2-4mph downhill and brake itself automatically to maintain the slow speed. All you need to do is steer.

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'06 Limited V6

Amy's Mom: "Who's that you're talking to?"
Amy: "It's Uneek, spelled in a 'unique' way."

I live here in the DC Area and we are suppose to get a load of snow tomorrow and saturday. I have the V8 AWD system, can someone tell me what the best set up (Diff locked / unlocked) would be best to go around snow filled roads, and streets?

No need to do anything but drive smart and slow. The runner will do the rest. If your going into the deep stuff then lock the center diff in either in 4H or 4L...o yeah then have fun!!

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08' Limited V8 Shadow Mica

You can engage DAC in 4hi, but it will not control a down hill decent to a speed of 2-4mph like when in 4Lo. But instead will function as HAC, and will apply the brakes to hold you in position and prevent you from rolling away during the time it takes for you to move your foot off the brake and push down the gas. Actually it will hold it until you press the brake or gas.

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2003 4Runner Sport 4.7 V8 Silver/Grey
265/65/17 Yokohama Ice and Snow Geolander I/T G072

I have an 05 Ltd V8 with full time four wheel drive (H4 and L4 positions). According to the manual, I should be able to depress the center differential lock button and go, however I have found that the indicator light continues to flash sometimes until I put the vehicle in reverse for a few feet. Once I do that, I'm good to go.

As far as snow traction goes, I've found H4, as is without using the center lock, is good to go, providing the best footing on a variety of surfaces.

With the recent snows in NoVA, I've played around with the center lock. I have to admit, it feels a little more "natural" with the vehicle stability control (VSC) turned off - with center lock engaged, which turns off the VSC, you can power slide the vehicle on snow; difficult if not impossible to do with the VSC on.

Try the reverse trick - I used to have to do it to lock the 4WD on my old Landcruiser and do it on my 4Runner, partly out of habit.

Good luck, Gordo

I don't know if it's just me, but with all the snow we got a couple days ago, I was driving with the center locked...it just seemed to work better in full snow conditions. All of the traction/stability control stuff gets irritating when it's always cutting engine power when you don't want it to. For mixed slush and wet pavement, though...I unlock.

You are correct, the unlocked center diff is nice for black ice roads, rain slick whatever. But locked definitely is appropriate when there is a layer, and not many dry spots in the road.