4WD works but dash lights don't. Please help?

[Alex O]

Hi everyone,

First post here, bought our Gen 3 Surf a couple of weeks ago.

I have spent hours searching but can't seem to find any info, so can anyone help?

When in 2WD if I push the button the the front wheels engage and the 4 green lights come on (no orange light).

However, if I deselect the button and shift the stick into 4wd (both high and low ratio), the 4wd kicks in and the diff locks but no lights come on the dash (green or orange).

I know the diff is locking as when off road today I had 2 wheels off the ground and power was going to one front and one rear. I also know all four wheels engage because I jacked the rear off the ground and when any one of the 4wd modes was selected it tryed to pull itself off the jack.

So....where would the fault lie if everything works fine but no lights on the dash?

Many thanks
Alex

[MudSurfer]

Hi Alex,

How old is your Surf? Does it have 4WDemand on it anywhere? If so, it doesn't have the centre diff, so no light on the dash either, just 2WD, Hi4, Lo4 so best not to shift into 4WD on the fly at speed, or drive on non slippy surfaces with 4WD engaged until you know for sure what system you have.

[MudSurfer]

Have a read through this:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/3rd-ge...limited-2.html

[Alex O]

Hi Mudsurfer,

Thanks, it's a 1996. I don't know what 4WDemand is....how can I tell?

It certainly does have the locking centre diff, and it works.

My query is, why do the 4 green lights on the dash illuminate when I push the 4wd button on the stick but don't illuminate when I shift into 4hi or 4lo using the stick?

Are there two bulbs behind the dash and one could have gone? Or perhaps two looms behind the dash, one for the button and one for the stick?

The indicator lights for the 4wd are top centre of the dash.

Thanks
Alex

[Alex O]

Re: 4wdemand....I cannot shift the stick without stopping the truck and selecting neutral or park (auto transmission).

I believe this means I don't have 4wdemand?

Thanks