I brought a gen 3 with a ABS light on and flashing 4wd & Center diff light. I sorted the ABS by replacing the sensors and was hoping this would fix the flashing light to as figured all the systems are integrated but no such luck I’ve managed to track down another transfer box activator Strip it clean it test it make sure it’s okay fitted it but all it seemed to do was drive part the way in and leave me with flashing Centre diff and four wheels.
I removed it again checked it refitted it making sure it was in the two wheel drive position and everything was okay no lights in two wheel drive position as soon as I press the button for four-wheel-drive I just got all flashing lights I then manually drove the activator to on road four-wheel-drive position and everything was okay with just for green lights on for the wheels in the on road four-wheel-drive position but when depressed The button then I got all flashing lights again. With the activator removed I selected four-wheel-drive position by pushing the shaft in with moll grips and though it struggled to go in I think that was just because it was in a stationary position I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the transfer box. There are three switches on the transfer box which I need to test but due to the bad access and not being able to get anything that fits them to go on I’ve not managed to remove them yet to test so this is my next task just to check that the position switches on the transfer box are okay. I have also checked the switch on the front axle I and vacuum pipes. I remove the ECU from inside the passenger foot well took it out of his packaging and give it a close examination there are no signs of any damage corrosion or capacitor damage so I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the ECU. Once I have checked the three switches on the transfer box I am at a bit of a loss as to what to do next. If I’ve get a garage to plug in for a diagnostics I don’t know if the diagnostic system would produce any errors or any information that might help me pinpoint and resolve this problem.
Any help really will be appreciated..

Regards Dave

Check the relay in the passenger side foot well.

I had a quick look as I saw something else about a relay but didn’t think the was a relay it all just looked like plug and socket but I will look probably again thank you
Regards Dave

It is customary and helpful to know which MY you've got.

Have you read the odb2 for an set or pending CELs? Those are the best clues to follow.

I have checked again but there is no relay in the passenger footwell just the ECU and 4 cable plugs and sockets. Would the relay I need to check be somewhere else?

Regards Dave

Maybe things are stiff from lack of use. How oil is the oil in the XFR case?

The manual says the 4wd system should be activated monthly to keep it free of binding.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The oil in the transfer case looks good it may be lack of use from before I brought it but it doesn’t seen to even attempt to engage on the button. I have ordered a 27mm offset angle ring spanner which will hopefully undo the switching on the transfer case so I can test them?

Regards Dave

My previous 4Runner was a 2000 Limited with the multimode transfer case. It always took a song and dance to get it to engage/disengage 2hi/4hi/4hi locked settings. Sometimes I had to put it in 4hi locked and then 4hi to get it to work. It helped to be moving and alternate between accelerating and coasting while turning in one direction or the other. I'll never own another multimode transfer case.

What's your engine, model year, and vehicle market (RHD and LHD)?

This is important because Toyota added a lot of things that we never got to 4runners (Surfs) sold in RHD countries like full time 4wd on manual 4runners.

Hi it’s a RHD 3lt Deisel KZN185W 1996 I think it dose have 4wd on/off road which was probably interdicted when ABS came in?

Regards Dave