Speedy
Member
This video may help some....had this issue recently.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1ZbLxFTrH4&feature=youtu.be
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1ZbLxFTrH4&feature=youtu.be
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Flashing 4WD Light Repair
- Thread starter Speedy
- Start date
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LittleCaesar
New member
Good to know. Nice video.
Supermoney
New member
Then if it isn't this its your front actuator, if not that its your transfer case.
giovannie23
New member
Thanks for sharing !
Your the man [MENTION=8729]Speedy[/MENTION]
You taught me so much and you don't even know it
Your the man [MENTION=8729]Speedy[/MENTION]
You taught me so much and you don't even know it
TheDurk
Elite Member
...or your VSV's, or the check valve, or the reservoir, or the 4wd ECU (auto) or relay (5-speed).
Nice video, but a little more can be done in terms of organized troubleshooting to figure out where the issue is before you go ahead and just start pulling switches.
SnowLizard
New member
I agree, and disagree... you can test all you want, but in the end, he would have gotten to the same point.. the down side, is how you test that switch without pulling it, IMO probably more hassle than just unplugging it and testing like the video. cause then you'll have to research were those plug into, know which pins... list can go on, like is that switch being depressed in current mode, or dependant on another switch...
great Tutorial Speedy!
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TheDurk
Elite Member
He would have gotten to the same point, as long as the defect was one of those two switches. Or he would have totally wasted his time. My point is, as I have posted repeatedly, you can quickly figure out if the 4wd issue is in the TC, the front diff, the vacuum system, or the electric sensors to the ADD. Then you start testing components.
Speedy
Member
Based on statistics the switches are the most likely culprit. There was 6" of snow on the ground and I was more interested in solving the issue than laying in the snow troubleshooting. Mine was fixed in 20 minutes. As they say your mileage may vary.
Interestingly, the service manual has VERY few steps in testing before jumping straight to the transfer case. I didn't even see the switches listed as components to test. Has anyone else found that in the SM?
Interestingly, the service manual has VERY few steps in testing before jumping straight to the transfer case. I didn't even see the switches listed as components to test. Has anyone else found that in the SM?
Supermoney
New member
No. Not on a 01-02 or 00 limited.
We don't have VSVs. ECU maybe but that is a long shot. If its not the switches its usually the front actuator.
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TheDurk
Elite Member
I believe the '00 Limited still has the vacuum actuator in the diff. But otherwise, yes, '01 and '02, no VSV's. Perhaps it is worth highlighting this approach is best only for those two years, then, because the vacuum system is a frequent source of problems in the other years. Might have to do with why they canned it.
RPS99SHO
New member
Are these same two switches shown in the video present on the 99 MM TC? I got the flashing lights today. Never went away no matter how many times I reversed, varying speeds forward. I plan on testing and cleaning the switch on the front diff (some have had success with just that), and whatever I can get to on the TC if I'm not lucky with the front diff.
Sorry to bring back an older thread, spent time searching and have done a bit of diag on my 2000 t4r limited.
Lights blink and truck goes in 4wd when button pressed, but will not come out of 4wd, lights never go solid or out, swapped vsv hoses, front diff unlocks. So I know front actuator is good, checked front diff switch, has continuity when pressed. So that's good, ran 12v at transfered actuator and it locks and unlocks, will try running it with a relay as per service manual as this should test the internal switches of the actuator.
My question is, has anyone had the internal switches on the transfer case actuator go bad?
I have checked the furthest most 4wd switch on the actuator but I did not check the one in front of it yet, that's next too.
Does the 4wd look for the diff lock switch when using 4wd with just the button? The center diff lock, 4lo and neutral switches shouldn't have an affect on shifting with just the push button, correct?
Thank you very much, I apologize if these questions have been answered before, I have searched but didn't find the answers to these questions.
Lights blink and truck goes in 4wd when button pressed, but will not come out of 4wd, lights never go solid or out, swapped vsv hoses, front diff unlocks. So I know front actuator is good, checked front diff switch, has continuity when pressed. So that's good, ran 12v at transfered actuator and it locks and unlocks, will try running it with a relay as per service manual as this should test the internal switches of the actuator.
My question is, has anyone had the internal switches on the transfer case actuator go bad?
I have checked the furthest most 4wd switch on the actuator but I did not check the one in front of it yet, that's next too.
Does the 4wd look for the diff lock switch when using 4wd with just the button? The center diff lock, 4lo and neutral switches shouldn't have an affect on shifting with just the push button, correct?
Thank you very much, I apologize if these questions have been answered before, I have searched but didn't find the answers to these questions.
David.hockley
New member
Hi Speedy I have a 1996 3rd gen surf with the same flashing orange and green lights as you video. I checked the rear switch on the transfer case actuator (TCA) seemed a bit suspect but cleaned and sprayed with. Contact cleaner and seem ok now I will try and get a new switch. The switch in front of that on the TCA was ok and checked the fuse and disconnect and reconnect the battery but still the same fault?
I’m in Buckinghamshire uk struggling to get any information thr manual from Roughtrack doses give me any information in the 4wd for mine and I don’t think the wiring diagram in the manual is the right on.
Any help is very much appreciate or if someone can recommend somewhere in my part of the uk I would happy pay.
Thanks in advance Dave
JoeT4R
Senior Member
Are you getting any 4WD engagement while the lights are flashing? Or is it staying in 2WD and flashlight?
Sent from my SM-S908U using Tapatalk
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David.hockley
New member
Sorry I haven’t got back sooner I’m dyslexic and struggle with forums and all the typing and stuff and been busy trying to sort the issue out.
Since posting I’ve managed to track down another transfer box activator Strip it clean it test it make sure it’s okay fitted it but all it seemed to do was drive part the way in and leave me with flashing Centre diff and four wheels.
I removed it again checked it refitted it making sure it was in the two wheel drive position and everything was okay no lights in two wheel drive position as soon as I press the button for four-wheel-drive I just got all flashing lights I then manually drove the activator to on road four-wheel-drive position and everything was okay with just for green lights on for the wheels in the on road four-wheel-drive position but when depressed The button then I got all flashing lights again. With the activator removed I selected four-wheel-drive position by pushing the shaft in with moll grips and though it struggled to go in I think that was just because it was in a stationary position I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the transfer box. There are three switches on the transfer box which I need to test but due to the bad access and not being able to get anything that fits them to go on I’ve not managed to remove them yet to test so this is my next task just to check that the position switches on the transfer box are okay. I remove the ECU from inside the passenger foot well took it out of his packaging and give it a close examination there are no signs of any damage corrosion or capacitor damage so I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the ECU. Once I have checked the three switches on the transfer box I am at a bit of a loss as to what to do next. I will make sure I keep an eye on the forum and pick up any responses straight away this time and apologise for not doing that last time. If I’ve got a garage to plug in for a diagnostics I don’t know if the diagnostic system would produce any errors or any information that might help me pinpoint and resolve this problem.
Any help really well be appreciated
Regards Dave
Since posting I’ve managed to track down another transfer box activator Strip it clean it test it make sure it’s okay fitted it but all it seemed to do was drive part the way in and leave me with flashing Centre diff and four wheels.
I removed it again checked it refitted it making sure it was in the two wheel drive position and everything was okay no lights in two wheel drive position as soon as I press the button for four-wheel-drive I just got all flashing lights I then manually drove the activator to on road four-wheel-drive position and everything was okay with just for green lights on for the wheels in the on road four-wheel-drive position but when depressed The button then I got all flashing lights again. With the activator removed I selected four-wheel-drive position by pushing the shaft in with moll grips and though it struggled to go in I think that was just because it was in a stationary position I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the transfer box. There are three switches on the transfer box which I need to test but due to the bad access and not being able to get anything that fits them to go on I’ve not managed to remove them yet to test so this is my next task just to check that the position switches on the transfer box are okay. I remove the ECU from inside the passenger foot well took it out of his packaging and give it a close examination there are no signs of any damage corrosion or capacitor damage so I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the ECU. Once I have checked the three switches on the transfer box I am at a bit of a loss as to what to do next. I will make sure I keep an eye on the forum and pick up any responses straight away this time and apologise for not doing that last time. If I’ve got a garage to plug in for a diagnostics I don’t know if the diagnostic system would produce any errors or any information that might help me pinpoint and resolve this problem.
Any help really well be appreciated
Regards Dave
