Picked up truck on Friday. Drove 40 miles home with no issues. Went out today for a 10 mile drive. Halfway through, my rear diff lock indicator began flashing on the dash. Diff lock was NOT engaged, ever. I pulled over, put in neutral, push the overhead diff lock button on then off and the flashing ceased. Continued home and parked it. Went out again just now, attempted to engage 4WD and gears are spinning hard and grinding when attempting to shift it into or out of any 4WD position while vehicle is stationary and main shifter (2WD) is in neutral. Dash lit up like Christmas tree. WTF! Going back to the dealer of course, but now I fear damage is done. What could have happened? What is likely damaged? What should I demand of them?
Brand new, potential 4WD failure. NEED ADVICE!
- Thread starter NJTrail
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1engineer
Moderator
Is this your first lever actuated four wheel drive? They will grind. You don't have to stop or put it in neutral to shift. As a matter of fact it works better if in gear and moving. Nothing wrong there and no damage. Diff lock can't be engaged in 2wd or 4hi. Could be just a bad switch. If the light was flashing then it was not engaged then just the button was pushed. The light is solid when engaged in 4lo up to 4 mph. Anything else the light will just flash harmlessly. Read your manual.
wfo9
New member
I would say go straight and slow (like 10mph) and try shifting the transfer case from 2h to 4h. If that works, stop put the transmission N, and then shift the t-case into 4L.
If all that works you are good, if not take it to the dealer. Avoid making turns if doing this on dry pavement. Really doubt any permanent damage is done. Don't freak out, some grinding sounds with a t-case are no big deal during engagement/disengagement. You will figure out how to do it without noise after some practice.
If all that works you are good, if not take it to the dealer. Avoid making turns if doing this on dry pavement. Really doubt any permanent damage is done. Don't freak out, some grinding sounds with a t-case are no big deal during engagement/disengagement. You will figure out how to do it without noise after some practice.
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Thanks but what's a "manual". And surely I couldn't read it even were I to comprehend its meaning. And you know, those flashy lights all over my dash are kind of pretty, even if it is strange those engineers put something so obviously unnecessary into the truck. Sheesh. You are well respected here, I get that, but also often pretty dismissive. So I respectfully disagree and will leave it at that. It's not your problem after all. Good luck with your new truck by the way.
----- edit 5 mins later... I am leaving this up.. Since it is what I wrote... But reread it and feel a little bad for going off....just a little stressed right now
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Thanks. I agree that noise/some grind often happens. This was much more serious than the norm but we shall see. I think it is hard to get some points across on the forum without sounding crazy and freaking. In this case I am freaking... But not crazy. Yet.
uptheirons
New member
for a problem like this, pictures are a massive help. obviously your first thought when something goes wrong isn't "i better take some pictures for the forum", but if you get a chance, try getting some pictures of what dash lights came on? may be a totally normal thing. i know when i shift to 4Lo quite a few lights come on, but they are all just alerting you to whats on and whats off.
as for the Locking diff light, that seems a bit odd for sure. May wanna contact the dealer about it if your really concerned.
I believe if a user manual isn't available, there are some juicy tidbits to be found on the driver windshield visor. On the trail one of the removable placards on the visor discusses the transfercase operation and the other discusses the diff lock. Sounds like the diff lock button was accidentally pushed, and minor grinding can be avoided with proper t-case and tranny work.:whipping2
wfo9
New member
With the 4runner I have had grinding, but none when I follow these procedures.
Just telling you what seems to work best for me.
1. always shift into 4H while moving (never try to directly go to 4L).
2. when time to go to 4L (after being in 4H). Stop, put tranny in N. Shift transfer case to 4L.
3. When time go out of 4L. Stop, put tranny in N, then transfer case to 4H. Put tranny back into D and start moving. If you want to go to 2wd, just push the transfer case level forward while moving. Sometimes it requires a little juggle to go back into 2H.
There are 2 main things going on with the 4wd system while shifting. The transfer case engaging and the ADD (automatic differential disconnect) engaging. There is also the reduction gear being put in and out of play when going in and out of 4L. Knowing what the components are helps explain why the proper sequence works best.
Just telling you what seems to work best for me.
1. always shift into 4H while moving (never try to directly go to 4L).
2. when time to go to 4L (after being in 4H). Stop, put tranny in N. Shift transfer case to 4L.
3. When time go out of 4L. Stop, put tranny in N, then transfer case to 4H. Put tranny back into D and start moving. If you want to go to 2wd, just push the transfer case level forward while moving. Sometimes it requires a little juggle to go back into 2H.
There are 2 main things going on with the 4wd system while shifting. The transfer case engaging and the ADD (automatic differential disconnect) engaging. There is also the reduction gear being put in and out of play when going in and out of 4L. Knowing what the components are helps explain why the proper sequence works best.
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I went out again and tried to quickly replicate what was happening earlier and note in detail all the warnings. Not ONE thing I described earlier happened this time. I just went out to a nearby gravel area..2wd, 4hi, neutral, lo, diff lock on/off. All Fine. No grind, no slam. No nothing. Trust me guys, what happened earlier was messed up and not because I don't know how to use 4wd. I need to test more, but still concerned about previous truck-shuddering slams and all warning lights.
jrandom
New member
EDIT: I see you posted while I was writing this, glad you go it sorted out.
New blinky shiny things are awesome, add stress and confusion, the whole world can go upside down.
The best solution to get help with any issue is to find a repeatable sequence of events. Which is why you would read the manual. All methods and procedures regarding safe operation of your brand new $40000 truck are outlined there. If you are doing them wrong or in the wrong order there is a good chance it is user error. If you are doing them correctly you rule yourself out and need to take it to the shop.
When you are asking the people of the world wide web to help you out, consider this; they were not riding in your truck when said events occurred. You need to pay close attention and either write down the series of events or better mount your gopro in the cabin where people can see what you are doing and the results.
[MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] was being totally cool with you BTW he actually gave you an answer instead of just telling you to STFU and go RTFM.
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New blinky shiny things are awesome, add stress and confusion, the whole world can go upside down.
The best solution to get help with any issue is to find a repeatable sequence of events. Which is why you would read the manual. All methods and procedures regarding safe operation of your brand new $40000 truck are outlined there. If you are doing them wrong or in the wrong order there is a good chance it is user error. If you are doing them correctly you rule yourself out and need to take it to the shop.
When you are asking the people of the world wide web to help you out, consider this; they were not riding in your truck when said events occurred. You need to pay close attention and either write down the series of events or better mount your gopro in the cabin where people can see what you are doing and the results.
[MENTION=66316]1engineer[/MENTION] was being totally cool with you BTW he actually gave you an answer instead of just telling you to STFU and go RTFM.
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dwm2112
New member
Seriously... Glad you woke up as I cannot stand jerks who ask questions and then lash out when someone gives them information they don't like. Also glad to see you have figured out how to properly operate the 4WD functions now.
1engineer
Moderator
That thing that looks like a thick stack of papers in the glove box.
What do you disagree with in my dismissive post? When I had my TE it would grind like crazy shifting into 4hi while sitting still. Only used neutral when shifting into 4lo as that crazy owner's manual says to do. Sure your truck might have a problem. Your T case could be toast and your diffs might explode and your wiring could be wack. From experience though its usually not the case. Usually new owner operator error is the case but hey, take it in and start demanding stuff as your first post says. Anyway, good luck and I hope either A) You get whatever the problem is fixed or B) You realize everything is operating normally and feel better.
LandCruiser
New member
Manual transfer cases like to grind when you shift.
It means they're working right.
Also when buying an off road capable vehicle that has the same amount of controls as a small aircraft, it's best to familiarize yourself with their function.
i.e. the manual if you're new to 4x4's.
It means they're working right.
Also when buying an off road capable vehicle that has the same amount of controls as a small aircraft, it's best to familiarize yourself with their function.
i.e. the manual if you're new to 4x4's.
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wfo9
New member
Just to make myself clear. Reading it again, this might not be obvious. It is best to always go into 4H before attempting 4L. It is also best to be in 4H before going back to 2H. The reduction gear of 4L requires a stop and N on the tranny, but trying to jump directly from 4L to 2H or 2H to 4L is problematic and noisy, even though it can be done.
Thanks land cruiser. And guys, of course I read the manual. Jersey sarcasm is an acquired taste, and was not justified in my earlier post, nor is it usually. I will try to avoid in the future.
wfo9
New member
Pretty sure that was all related to trying to go from 2H to 4wd while in N... It happened to me the first time with the 4Runner also, since a previous truck I had like that sequence. The Toyotas are a little different.
Just be happy your truck is fine.
1engineer
Moderator
I traded for a knob...
Talk about no drama, man you just simply turn it. No vibration, no grind, nothing. Oh well at least I still get a cute light on the dash!
LandCruiser
New member
Wait until it gets really cold.
It'll just blink at you when the gear oil is cold and sludgy, whereas a manual shifter can be forced into gear, albeit with considerable force.
