Center Differential Lock Light Flickering When Accelerating

[IvanC]

I have a 2004 4Runner SR5 V6 and I have this issue where i'm driving on the highway and I give it gas and the center diff lock starts flashing on the dash. It happens when going uphill so it seems like it is only when under a load. I didn't think too much about it except for today in rush hour everytime I would accelerate, even when going like 10 miles per hour, it would flicker, except today the 4wd light started flickering too and it started trying to engage violently while driving. I put it in 4wd and drove like that for a while and when I switched it back to 2wd it was fine, with only the center diff lock light still flickering. Any ideas on what it could be or what to check? I just want to get it fixed before any damage occurs.

 

[Greydog]

I have a 2004 4Runner SR5 V6 and I have this issue where i'm driving on the highway and I give it gas and the center diff lock starts flashing on the dash. It happens when going uphill so it seems like it is only when under a load. I didn't think too much about it except for today in rush hour everytime I would accelerate, even when going like 10 miles per hour, it would flicker, except today the 4wd light started flickering too and it started trying to engage violently while driving. I put it in 4wd and drove like that for a while and when I switched it back to 2wd it was fine, with only the center diff lock light still flickering. Any ideas on what it could be or what to check? I just want to get it fixed before any damage occurs.

Something is very wrong, you need to locate what may be loose or damaged wiring that is causing a mis signals to the 4wd computer.

There have been posts from others with similar symptoms and damaged centerndiffs and front diffs. If the computer is attempting to go into 4wd on it's own it can damage many expensive components.

 

[Martinjmpr]

Does anything happen if you press the CDL light (in 2wd?)

 

[IvanC]

Something is very wrong, you need to locate what may be loose or damaged wiring that is causing a mis signals to the 4wd computer.

There have been posts from others with similar symptoms and damaged centerndiffs and front diffs. If the computer is attempting to go into 4wd on it's own it can damage many expensive components.

Any links to these posts? I can't seem to find anything with similar symptoms online. I am taking it to get looked at tomorrow, but I kind of want to know what to expect or what to look for. I am completely stumped as it only happens when engine is under load.

 

[IvanC]

Does anything happen if you press the CDL light (in 2wd?)

No, it doesn't do anything. It seems to engage 4wd fine, but sometimes it's hard to tell if CDL is on since it doesn't do much and I can't tell otherwise.

 

[Greydog]

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/57920-4th-gen-stuck-4lo-help-2.html

See post 22 on corroded 4wd computer.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/maint...nsmission-rebuild-vsc-issue-engaging-4wd.html

Post three on this actuator connector was loose.

Also, might want to check the dash switch to make sure there is no loose connectors?

 

[IvanC]

Ok, I got it figured out. It was just a loose connection on the transfer case actuator. Thanks for all the help! It's still kind of weird that it only did it when accelerating hard but it wouldn't do anything on bumps or anything.