4WD lights flashing

[4x4Runner09]

Sometimes on the freeway while accelerating hard at high speeds(65-80) my 4wd indicators lights flash for a little bit. I dont feel the gears go into 4x4 though.

Im sure its an electrical problem. This happens about 2 times a month.

Anyone else experience this???

 

[MARSHALLMAY]

it flashes and beeps when you try to engage 4wd over 60mph on mine. maybe your knee hit it and you didn't realize, or maybe there's some loose wires...

 

[4x4Runner09]

I was NOT engaging 4wd when this happened, as I was on the highway trying to pick up speed.

My knee doesnt touch the shifter and my 2 hands were on the wheel.

 

[MARSHALLMAY]

well in the manual it says not to engage 4wd over 60mph. the beeping and flashing of the light is probably a safeguard alarm saying, no you can't put me in 4wd over 60 mph. personally, i won't do it above 15mph just to be xtra careful

 

[JohnInPA]

mine's done this for the year I've owned it. It seems to only happen after I've engaged the AWD mode (via the click button) recently. in other words, if on Monday I used that mode because of some snow, and Tuesday I'm in 2WD driving under normal circumstances, once in a while it'll flash the green and orange lights in the 4wd status display. not sure why...I don't think it's engaging. doesn't seem to be a problem. let me know if you hear why this is happening.

 

[Rescue84]

Sorry to bring back a dead thread, but I too have had this happen lately, any answers?

 

[954rrmike]

I just purchased a 99 ltd and this happened to me on the highway today. Lights just started flashing so I pulled over and tryed to engage 4wd and it would not go in. I went back on the highway and the light went out. I put it in 4wd later today and it worked great. Any ideas?

Mike
1999 4 Runner LTD

 

[shootmymime]

My knee doesnt touch the shifter and my 2 hands were on the wheel.

sorry man but i thought this was funny, u said my 2 hands, how many do u have?

dont know about ur truck, i dont have the same one so couldnt tell ya.

 

[heavenscape]

I have 2003 4Runner V6, it's the 4th gen but still does the same. maybe it has the same 4WD system as the 3rd gen??

on the highway when the speed goes above 62mph the 4WD light will flash every 5 sec. the whole thing happens in 2WD mode, I was not trying to engage 4WD or anything, just normal driving.....

and one other time, also in 2WD mode and the speed was not high at all, maybe 30mph and I braked and turned right at the same time into a mall driveway, then I noticed the 4WD light came on for a short while and then went out.

anyone have any idea about this? thanks in advance!!

 

[Dephcon]

I don't know anything about this system, but just throwing this out there as and idea. Do you think it has something to do with the Traction Control system? It might be an indication that traction was lost on one of the wheels and power is being redirected.... Again, I have no idea on how the awd system works on the 4runner.

 

[Boconnor303]

This happened to me not long ago in my 2000 limited.. I was accelerating hard up a hill and the lights began to flash like when 4wd is being engaged.

My 4wd shifter does vibrate while I drive and I figured that it shook in a way that made the ECU think I was trying to engage 4wd, I simply pressed the shifter firmly back into the 2wd position and the lights went out immediately.

 

[TheDurk]

This happened to me not long ago in my 2000 limited.. I was accelerating hard up a hill and the lights began to flash like when 4wd is being engaged.

My 4wd shifter does vibrate while I drive and I figured that it shook in a way that made the ECU think I was trying to engage 4wd, I simply pressed the shifter firmly back into the 2wd position and the lights went out immediately.

Your case is one where I would check for a vacuum leak, or a fubared check valve between the manifold and the VSV's on the driver fenderwall. If the ADD system loses vacuum, the actuator can vibrate out of where it is supposed to be and start to engage the front diff whenever the engine is not producing a strong vacuum at the manifold.

 

[Boconnor303]

Your case is one where I would check for a vacuum leak, or a fubared check valve between the manifold and the VSV's on the driver fenderwall. If the ADD system loses vacuum, the actuator can vibrate out of where it is supposed to be and start to engage the front diff whenever the engine is not producing a strong vacuum at the manifold.

Didn't even cross my mind, thank you for the heads up