E-locker light not flashing and not lit...but locker still engaging???

[TheHolyCannoli]

I've only had my '17 TRD Pro for about 4months and used the locker today for the first time....I think. It seems like the locker is engaging, but no indicators at all other than the ABS light coming on (which I thought was supposed to come on once you go into 4Lo, although it did not).

Shifted to neutral, put it in 4Lo, drove forward a bit, shifted back to neutral, and pressed the rear locker button...only thing that changed on the dash was the ABS light coming on. No electronic sound, no clunk, no flashing red locker symbol, no steady red locker symbol. I turned the wheels to about 45degrees and creeped forward. Sure enough, the rear tires dragged and there was an obvious strain to turn the vehicle.

What the hell is going on here? I'd like to have that indicator as a reminder not to drive away/turn with the locker still engaged.

 

[Mutant138]

I've only had my '17 TRD Pro for about 4months and used the locker today for the first time....I think. It seems like the locker is engaging, but no indicators at all other than the ABS light coming on (which I thought was supposed to come on once you go into 4Lo, although it did not).

Shifted to neutral, put it in 4Lo, drove forward a bit, shifted back to neutral, and pressed the rear locker button...only thing that changed on the dash was the ABS light coming on. No electronic sound, no clunk, no flashing red locker symbol, no steady red locker symbol. I turned the wheels to about 45degrees and creeped forward. Sure enough, the rear tires dragged and there was an obvious strain to turn the vehicle.

What the hell is going on here? I'd like to have that indicator as a reminder not to drive away/turn with the locker still engaged.

Why shift into neutral? Just hit it when you're in 4lo.

 

[TheHolyCannoli]

Why shift into neutral? Just hit it when you're in 4lo.

No reason in particular other than not knowing how to use it lol. But would that really cause none of the indicators to function? I guess I'll have to try it again tomorrow.

 

[Mutant138]

No reason in particular other than not knowing how to use it lol. But would that really cause none of the indicators to function? I guess I'll have to try it again tomorrow.

Its all good man I was there once myself.

I use my locker when shifted into 4low. I'll even do it on the move (under 5mph). Same goes for disengaging it. Only time I need to stop is going in and out of 4lo.

When I first got the truck I printed out pamphlet all the functions and operations and threw it in the glovebox for reference. If I find it ill send it your way.

 

[Mutant138]

If someone knows where this originated shout’em out. It was a few years back I printed that.

[MENTION=579305]TheHolyCannoli[/MENTION] find a dirt road with no traffic, save these photos, take it slow at first. Mess around with everything. Take your time and enjoy one of the greatest 4wd experiences to be had.

Tbo crawl control is a gimmick. If anything it’s 4lo cruise control. Good driving, atrac, and rear locker is good to go. But discover that for yourself.

 

[trapshot68]

PDF of above screenshots:

[MENTION=50362]jayhat[/MENTION] did it first, but a quick, users guide for the different systems. How to engage, and conditions used for:

Things you did not know about your 4runner - Page 48 - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum (unfortunately, my location doesn't let me get into google docs, so can't see if it's still up, but Jay definitely deserves uber credit for this).

If not, there's a pdf version from [MENTION=137310]MasonCO[/MENTION]

Things you did not know about your 4runner - Page 51 - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

EDIT: This is a quick guide only. This is not a substitute for the classes, going out and trying the stuff in controlled situations, or going out with seasoned/experienced people. The best system is still between the ears.

 

[jayhat]

PDF of above screenshots:

[MENTION=50362]jayhat[/MENTION] did it first, but a quick, users guide for the different systems. How to engage, and conditions used for:

Things you did not know about your 4runner - Page 48 - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum (unfortunately, my location doesn't let me get into google docs, so can't see if it's still up, but Jay definitely deserves uber credit for this).

If not, there's a pdf version from [MENTION=137310]MasonCO[/MENTION]

Things you did not know about your 4runner - Page 51 - Toyota 4Runner Forum - Largest 4Runner Forum

EDIT: This is a quick guide only. This is not a substitute for the classes, going out and trying the stuff in controlled situations, or going out with seasoned/experienced people. The best system is still between the ears.

Thanks for the mention! It’s still up!

 

[Mutant138]

Thanks for the mention! It’s still up!

 

[llDemonll]

I turned the wheels to about 45degrees and creeped forward. Sure enough, the rear tires dragged and there was an obvious strain to turn the vehicle.

What the hell is going on here? I'd like to have that indicator as a reminder not to drive away/turn with the locker still engaged.

Sounds more like you were just in 4Lo with no locker. If you're not familiar with 4wd, 4Lo will feel like the rear wheels are locked when turning on a tight surface.

 

[TheHolyCannoli]

Sounds more like you were just in 4Lo with no locker. If you're not familiar with 4wd, 4Lo will feel like the rear wheels are locked when turning on a tight surface.

I'll admit I'm not familiar with 4Lo, but in comparing 4Lo with and without the locker button pressed, there is a clear difference.

I played around with things more today, tried varying methods of trying to engage the locker in park, neutral, drive while stopped, and while slowly driving forward. No indicators lights whatsoever. The only light that seems to coincide with the locker being engaged/disengaged is the ABS light. It comes on with the button pressed and goes off after un-pressing. It does not come on in 4Lo by itself, only when using the locker button.

 

[Mutant138]

I'll admit I'm not familiar with 4Lo, but in comparing 4Lo with and without the locker button pressed, there is a clear difference.

I played around with things more today, tried varying methods of trying to engage the locker in park, neutral, drive while stopped, and while slowly driving forward. No indicators lights whatsoever. The only light that seems to coincide with the locker being engaged/disengaged is the ABS light. It comes on with the button pressed and goes off after un-pressing. It does not come on in 4Lo by itself, only when using the locker button.

Locker does not turn on automatically when you go into 4lo. Hit the locker button (in 4lo) and the light will blink until it's locked. If you have your windows down you can hear it audibly engage. To unlock hit the button again, the light will flash until it disengages, again you can hear it unlock.

 

[TheHolyCannoli]

Locker does not turn on automatically when you go into 4lo. Hit the locker button (in 4lo) and the light will blink until it's locked. If you have your windows down you can hear it audibly engage. To unlock hit the button again, the light will flash until it disengages, again you can hear it unlock.

Re-reading my post, I worded that like an idiot lol Let me try again...

First, the rear-locker light never comes on, never flashes, nothing...no matter what mode/gear I'm using.

Second, the ABS light does not come on just by shifting into 4Lo. (Others have mentioned that they get ABS light as soon as they go into 4Lo) My ABS only comes on in 4Lo WITH the locker button pressed. It's almost as if the ABS light being on/off is the only visual indicator of my rear locker being engaged.

 

[llDemonll]

I'll look at my car the next time I start it but I believe all those indicator lights should be on, at least for a split second or two, when you first turn the car to "On".

If yours isn't illuminating during that, chances are the bulb is gone (which it sounds like it could be)

 

[TheHolyCannoli]

I'll look at my car the next time I start it but I believe all those indicator lights should be on, at least for a split second or two, when you first turn the car to "On".

If yours isn't illuminating during that, chances are the bulb is gone (which it sounds like it could be)

Didn't even consider that possibility, but I hope that's the issue.

Playing around more today, I can 100% tell that the locker is actually engaging. There actually is a slight clunk once I turn slightly while moving forward or back, and I can also hear it disengaging. It doesn't happen instantly when I hit the button, but definitely happens when I start moving a few inches.

Still, absolutely no red locker light. And I don't see the light on start-up... But the 4wd indicator doesn't show on startup either, so maybe they aren't supposed to?

 

[mo_mo]

Didn't even consider that possibility, but I hope that's the issue.

Playing around more today, I can 100% tell that the locker is actually engaging. There actually is a slight clunk once I turn slightly while moving forward or back, and I can also hear it disengaging. It doesn't happen instantly when I hit the button, but definitely happens when I start moving a few inches.

Still, absolutely no red locker light. And I don't see the light on start-up... But the 4wd indicator doesn't show on startup either, so maybe they aren't supposed to?

The locker light does not display during the startup dash light check.

If, with the vehicle on, you are in any transfer case position and any transmission position (eg. two high park), and press the locker button then it should begin flashing until it engages (shift to four low and crawl a bit with slight turning or the locker button is depressed).

 

[TheHolyCannoli]

The locker light does not display during the startup dash light check.

If, with the vehicle on, you are in any transfer case position and any transmission position (eg. two high park), and press the locker button then it should begin flashing until it engages (shift to four low and crawl a bit with slight turning or the locker button is depressed).

Thanks for the confirmation. Not really sure what's going on then. If the locker and overhead button are mechanically functioning correctly to engage/disengage the locker, what else would cause no indicator? I hate the thought of having to pull the gauge cluster just to check the bulb. Is there a fuse somewhere that could be blown and prevent the light from working but still allow the locker to function?

 

[llDemonll]

No, the entire dash wouldn't work if a fuse is blown. Best bet is to pull the cluster and check the bulb at this point

 

[TheHolyCannoli]

No, the entire dash wouldn't work if a fuse is blown. Best bet is to pull the cluster and check the bulb at this point

Looks like a weekend project. If I F something up, I don't think I can drive to work with without an instrument panel.

Coincidentally, as I'm looking at some threads showing how to take it apart, I think I may have other bulbs out. My tachometer and speedometer are very dim towards the top half, even with the dimmer switch at full power. Either that, or the thread pictures are making it look brighter than it really is.

 

[Drobs]

Side note / question.

Are there any tricks to get the rear locker to engage / disengage quickly?

I know forward movement is required but it seems like there is a lot of lag between hitting the button, engagement, and disengagement.

I guess I'm curious as to what the parameters are for engagement / disengagement of the rear locker.

4Low is a given.
Does it take so many wheel rotations?

 

[Muff Muff]

Side note / question.

Are there any tricks to get the rear locker to engage / disengage quickly?

I know forward movement is required but it seems like there is a lot of lag between hitting the button, engagement, and disengagement.

I guess I'm curious as to what the parameters are for engagement / disengagement of the rear locker.

4Low is a given.
Does it take so many wheel rotations?

Not really, it just has to line up correctly for the locking mechanism to fall into place. Sometimes it clicks right in, sometimes you have to crawl forward and back for it to line up.

I have noticed, however, that the more you use 4wd and the rear locker, the easier and quicker they engage. I don't know if there's any real merit to that, but it seems to be like a "use it or lose it" deal.