2002 4Runner 4WD Dashboard Lights only Half Working

[jonfasch]

Looking for some help on a 2002 4Runner – 319,680 miles – had in 14 years. And it’s been my primary vehicle throughout. A wonderful truck!

Just recently the top 2 lights (wheels) in my 4WD indicator (see picture) in my dash stopped working. 4WD has always worked fine prior.

At first I thought it was maybe an LED… But with lots of further thinking on this… I’m wondering if it’s maybe a switch on the front wheels or something other. My knowledge is lacking in how the 4WD works.

But I’m unable to find further info on this when searching. And to this point I haven’t taken the dash apart to look behind it – though it looks easy enough and I have the ability to readily do it.

Anyone have any good insight or thoughts on the cause?

Thanks,
Jon

 

[Bad Luck]

Looking for some help on a 2002 4Runner – 319,680 miles – had in 14 years. And it’s been my primary vehicle throughout. A wonderful truck!

Just recently the top 2 lights (wheels) in my 4WD indicator (see picture) in my dash stopped working. 4WD has always worked fine prior.

At first I thought it was maybe an LED… But with lots of further thinking on this… I’m wondering if it’s maybe a switch on the front wheels or something other. My knowledge is lacking in how the 4WD works.

But I’m unable to find further info on this when searching. And to this point I haven’t taken the dash apart to look behind it – though it looks easy enough and I have the ability to readily do it.

Anyone have any good insight or thoughts on the cause?

Thanks,
Jon

Try shifting to 4 low and see what happens. If I understand 01-02 4wd system correctly shifting into low range will tell the 4wd computer to engage the front ADD as well. If it lights up correctly then I would suspect the switch is unplugged

 

[jonfasch]

Try shifting to 4 low and see what happens. If I understand 01-02 4wd system correctly shifting into low range will tell the 4wd computer to engage the front ADD as well. If it lights up correctly then I would suspect the switch is unplugged

I tried shifting to 4 low with no change in lights. Only the bottom 2 greens stayed lit.

I did all the other options... and I now notice that my "Center Differential Lock Switch" has no effect on the 4wd.

This did work prior to my noticing the top two green 4wd lights not working.

This is now more worrisome to me.

Thoughts?

 

[Malcolm99]

It must be a bulb issue, it is either off, all flashing, all green or all green with orange centre diff lock.

 

[jonfasch]

It must be a bulb issue, it is either off, all flashing, all green or all green with orange centre diff lock.

If a bulb issue - do you know how many bulbs are back there to turn the 4 wheels green?

I would have guessed one bulb to cover the 4 green wheels. As like you stated - I've only seen "either off, all flashing, all green or all green with orange centre diff lock." in the past 4 years.

And when pushing the "Center Differential Lock Switch" switch - I feel no clicking... no anything... like I thought it would do in the past...

If a bulb issue - that would mean both the orange centre diff lock bulb... and the "upper two green wheel" bulb... has burned out within a month of each other. Is there two bulbs there for the 4wd "four wheels"?

Just adding some thoughts for troubleshooting... and seeing what others think...

 

[Malcolm99]

I should say bulb or Led issue, there is a bulb that illuminates that area, an I expect there is board contacts for the 4WD indicator with 2 LED's/bulbs to light up the wheels and 1 LED/bulb to light up the centre diff lock, but I'm guessing. If anything isn't working with the 4WD system it will flash telling you one or more position sensors or abs sensors are not satisfied and the system will not engage 4WD

 

[jonfasch]

Thanks for your thoughts.

A bit more info. I have no flashing issues. The 4wd seems to lock in and out fine, just not the two rear wheel lights. and no centre diff lock orange light or locking in of the centre diff lock.

Hopefully others see this and give some thoughts as well.

 

[Bad Luck]

I tried shifting to 4 low with no change in lights. Only the bottom 2 greens stayed lit.

I did all the other options... and I now notice that my "Center Differential Lock Switch" has no effect on the 4wd.

This did work prior to my noticing the top two green 4wd lights not working.

This is now more worrisome to me.

Thoughts?

I'm assuming it went into low range? I would start with making sure your switches are connected. If they're connected then try having someone press the switches while you are underneath with your hand on the transfer case actuator to feel if the actuator is moving. This can be done with the key on and engine off.

 

[jonfasch]

Correct - it did shift into the low range. So that worked correctly.

"making sure your switches are connected" - just to make sure I'm looking in the right area - are these the 2 switches right next to each other on the transfer case that you are talking about? I think I saw this referenced in another post when I was looking for help.

I haven't physically looked under the truck yet.

 

[Bad Luck]

Correct - it did shift into the low range. So that worked correctly.

"making sure your switches are connected" - just to make sure I'm looking in the right area - are these the 2 switches right next to each other on the transfer case that you are talking about? I think I saw this referenced in another post when I was looking for help.

I haven't physically looked under the truck yet.

Yes. Those are the switches I'm talking about

 

[jonfasch]

Update...

Was out for lunch (Wisconsin), so too cold and snowy to look under the truck till I get home.

But was doing some t/s reading... and as I was coming back to work decided to try a few things.

Another post said to hold the centre diff lock for 2-3 seconds. Hmm, my orange light now lights. I don’t remember having to hold it the switch that long in the past.

But still, only the bottom 2 4WD green lights(wheels) are lit. The two top 4WD lights (wheels) are not light.

I do have to be driving for the orange centre diff lock light to come on…

Question:
Does anyone have a good understanding if the four specific 4WD green lights (wheels) are electrically connected to certain switch solenoids on the transfer case?

And I think I’ve read that there are two more switch solenoids on top of the transfer case that can be accessed below the center console. Is that correct?

 

[Skulking]

There are 3 bulbs involved with the 4wd indicator. One bulb for the front wheels, one for the rear wheels, and one for the center diff. I don't know of any situation where only 2 wheels would illuminate to indicate some sort of a problem. If there is a problem, all 3 lights will just blink. I would start with pulling the cluster and checking then replacing what you should find to be a dead bulb. If you happen to actually be having 4wd problems as well, troubleshoot those as a separate issue. I've never replaced those bulbs myself, and depending on which thread I look at I'm seeing the bulbs being #24, #74, Neowedge T3, or Neowedge T4. Hopefully someone who has replaced those lights themselves can answer that. My guess is that they are #74 as that is what most of the bulbs in the cluster seem to be. You can find good info on replacing the cluster bulbs here. The picture there does show the 4wd lights in the wrong spot. They are the 3 open spots in the center towards the top of the picture of the back of the cluster in that thread.

 

[jonfasch]

Great Info!!

I have my Saturday task as to pull that instrument cluster... I had looked into it last week... and it looked very doable on my part but I wanted to make sure it made sense! Can't be any harder than changing parts on Fighter Jets in the Air Force... which was in my past for 8 years...

Thanks and I'll get back with an update this weekend!

 

[Dragon_EX]

The light under the D symbol for drive on my dash is out so I need to do the same thing at some point, just seems like a lot of work just for a single light.

 

[jonfasch]

the missing green lights just bug me... I've been driving it for 14 years... and I miss my two green lights...

Plus if it's only a bulb, than I know it's not another issue that could be much worse.

A good task for a snowy Saturday!

 

[jonfasch]

A funny for Dragon_EX...

I'm driving my 16 year old son home from Youth Group... and I talk about tearing apart the dash to fix the green 4WD light...

And I mention your chat above, and notice I have no lighted D symbol on my dash either. All the others P,N,R,1,2 all work fine.

So looks like I have another bulb to fix. Thanks for the heads-up on this one!

 

[jgue467]

... just seems like a lot of work just for a single light.

Takes about 10 minutes to R&R, easy peasy...

 

[Dragon_EX]

A funny for Dragon_EX...

I'm driving my 16 year old son home from Youth Group... and I talk about tearing apart the dash to fix the green 4WD light...

And I mention your chat above, and notice I have no lighted D symbol on my dash either. All the others P,N,R,1,2 all work fine.

So looks like I have another bulb to fix. Thanks for the heads-up on this one!

Ha! Now I wonder if it's a common thing. It must burn out quick with it being lit up all the time.

 

[Dragon_EX]

Takes about 10 minutes to R&R, easy peasy...

I did just assume that since it's the gauge cluster it would be hard but it looks straight forward enough, and while I'm in there I can replace the other bulbs too. I'm guessing I can just buy #24 and #74 light bulbs on Amazon or something and put them into the same plastic base, right? No need to find a set of ones with the base already on them?

 

[jonfasch]

Yes.. it does look pretty straightforward. My only concern is disconnecting the 5 cables... Otherwise looks okay.

I'm not sure on the bulbs myself, so I ordered standard replacements from the local dealer for the 2 I needed. I'm sure I overpaid, but I need them by this Saturday and it's my only vehicle - so wanted the correct ones before tearing it apart. and then being stranded with the wrong ones.