I've only had my '17 TRD Pro for about 4months and used the locker today for the first time....I think. It seems like the locker is engaging, but no indicators at all other than the ABS light coming on (which I thought was supposed to come on once you go into 4Lo, although it did not).

Shifted to neutral, put it in 4Lo, drove forward a bit, shifted back to neutral, and pressed the rear locker button...only thing that changed on the dash was the ABS light coming on. No electronic sound, no clunk, no flashing red locker symbol, no steady red locker symbol. I turned the wheels to about 45degrees and creeped forward. Sure enough, the rear tires dragged and there was an obvious strain to turn the vehicle.

What the hell is going on here? I'd like to have that indicator as a reminder not to drive away/turn with the locker still engaged.

Why shift into neutral? Just hit it when you're in 4lo.

No reason in particular other than not knowing how to use it lol. But would that really cause none of the indicators to function? I guess I'll have to try it again tomorrow.

Its all good man I was there once myself.

I use my locker when shifted into 4low. I'll even do it on the move (under 5mph). Same goes for disengaging it. Only time I need to stop is going in and out of 4lo.

When I first got the truck I printed out pamphlet all the functions and operations and threw it in the glovebox for reference. If I find it ill send it your way.

If someone knows where this originated shout’em out. It was a few years back I printed that.

@TheHolyCannoli find a dirt road with no traffic, save these photos, take it slow at first. Mess around with everything. Take your time and enjoy one of the greatest 4wd experiences to be had.

Tbo crawl control is a gimmick. If anything it’s 4lo cruise control. Good driving, atrac, and rear locker is good to go. But discover that for yourself.

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PDF of above screenshots:

@jayhat did it first, but a quick, users guide for the different systems. How to engage, and conditions used for:

Things you did not know about your 4runner - Page 48 - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum (unfortunately, my location doesn't let me get into google docs, so can't see if it's still up, but Jay definitely deserves uber credit for this).

If not, there's a pdf version from @MasonCO

Things you did not know about your 4runner - Page 51 - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

EDIT: This is a quick guide only. This is not a substitute for the classes, going out and trying the stuff in controlled situations, or going out with seasoned/experienced people. The best system is still between the ears.

Thanks for the mention! It’s still up!

Sounds more like you were just in 4Lo with no locker. If you're not familiar with 4wd, 4Lo will feel like the rear wheels are locked when turning on a tight surface.

I'll admit I'm not familiar with 4Lo, but in comparing 4Lo with and without the locker button pressed, there is a clear difference.

I played around with things more today, tried varying methods of trying to engage the locker in park, neutral, drive while stopped, and while slowly driving forward. No indicators lights whatsoever. The only light that seems to coincide with the locker being engaged/disengaged is the ABS light. It comes on with the button pressed and goes off after un-pressing. It does not come on in 4Lo by itself, only when using the locker button.

Locker does not turn on automatically when you go into 4lo. Hit the locker button (in 4lo) and the light will blink until it's locked. If you have your windows down you can hear it audibly engage. To unlock hit the button again, the light will flash until it disengages, again you can hear it unlock.

Re-reading my post, I worded that like an idiot lol Let me try again...

First, the rear-locker light never comes on, never flashes, nothing...no matter what mode/gear I'm using.

Second, the ABS light does not come on just by shifting into 4Lo. (Others have mentioned that they get ABS light as soon as they go into 4Lo) My ABS only comes on in 4Lo WITH the locker button pressed. It's almost as if the ABS light being on/off is the only visual indicator of my rear locker being engaged.

I'll look at my car the next time I start it but I believe all those indicator lights should be on, at least for a split second or two, when you first turn the car to "On".

If yours isn't illuminating during that, chances are the bulb is gone (which it sounds like it could be)

Didn't even consider that possibility, but I hope that's the issue.

Playing around more today, I can 100% tell that the locker is actually engaging. There actually is a slight clunk once I turn slightly while moving forward or back, and I can also hear it disengaging. It doesn't happen instantly when I hit the button, but definitely happens when I start moving a few inches.

Still, absolutely no red locker light. And I don't see the light on start-up... But the 4wd indicator doesn't show on startup either, so maybe they aren't supposed to?

The locker light does not display during the startup dash light check.

If, with the vehicle on, you are in any transfer case position and any transmission position (eg. two high park), and press the locker button then it should begin flashing until it engages (shift to four low and crawl a bit with slight turning or the locker button is depressed).