Dash Lights..............

[George_B]

Hi All,

I am new to this Forum, So Greetings to all.

I resently purchased a 1996 4runner with the four cylinder engine and 5 speed manual transmission......... My question is this. The light on the dash that tells me i am in four wheel drive is not working. Is there any magic combo that will let me test the lights or should i be looking for a defective switch on the transfer case or something ???

Winter is upon us and i have already forgot to take the truck out of four wheel drive once ............. My driveway is unbelievible in the winter.

Thanks
George

 

[Good Times]

hmm... how about putting your 4runner up on jack stands (where the wheel is off the ground).

start her up in 4hi and let the wheels turn on it's own. if the front tires turn you're in 4hi. test for 4lo as well.

that'd be one way i think.

good luck

 

[George_B]

Lance,

It's not a problem with the 4 wheel drive itself, I know that works. It's just the idiot light on the dash that doesn't work. I was wondering if there was a procedure for testing the dash lights.

Thanks for the responce.

George

 

[Koz]

To check electrically, I would first make sure you are engaged in 4WD with the vehicle secured in the stopped/parked position but keep the engine running so that the light should be on. You will need a wiring diagram for this circuit. Connect the negative lead of the meter/volt tester to a good ground and use the point of the positive lead to probe the power lines/wires of the circuit. Start at the bulb (check the bulb itself) for 12v. If the bulb is OK then check the power lead/wire to the socket (again looking for 12v). If no power, use the diagram to start the process of elimination. Test/check (for 12v) the circuit from the bulb and work your way back to the battery; when you find 12v, you have found the open/problem.

You could save some time by studying the wiring diagram and locating easy access points in the circuit to look for voltage. Try to find a halfway point in the circuit to eliminate half of the circuit quickly. Remember it's a process of elimination. Good Luck!

Koz

 

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Speaking of lights on the dash that don't work, my turn signals work but the turn signal indicators stopped working today. Does anyone know what can cause this? Are the indicator bulbs hard to get to?

Bill in Oregon