Scrounging Firewood (and other stuff)

[SS396driver]

@OM617YOTA having a problem with my 03 taco . Yesterday I put it 4wd and everything was normal . I took it out and the 4x4 indicator light stayed on . The truck is definitely out of 4wd as the rear tires just spin in the snow . Put it back in and was able to move so the transfer case is disengaging . But the light stays on in 2wd . Problem with the actuator?

 

[OM617YOTA]

@OM617YOTA having a problem with my 03 taco . Yesterday I put it 4wd and everything was normal . I took it out and the 4x4 indicator light stayed on . The truck is definitely out of 4wd as the rear tires just spin in the snow . Put it back in and was able to move so the transfer case is disengaging . But the light stays on in 2wd . Problem with the actuator?

I'm not familiar with that platform, my Yota stuff is pre-Taco, so I'm spitballing.

Do you have a front axle disconnect? Sometimes those require backing up a goodly bit, or rocking back and forth to get them to unbind and retract. A previous Chevy I had would leave the light on until you backed up enough to disconnect things. Other times the vacuum lines leading to the disconnect can have issues and no longer retract or engage 4wd. I got sick of the axle disconnect on mine, installed manual hubs, locked the disconnect in "connected" mode, and removed all the vacuum BS.

Not sure what triggers the light, your actuator and 4wd stuff might be fine, just a problem with the indicator. Could be as simple as spilling coffee on your center console and the micro switch that turns on the light in the dash being gummy now. No clue if that's what actually turns on the light in the dash on yours, like I said, I'm spitballing.

My current Prado is full time 4wd with a center differential in the transfer case. 4 wheel high, 4 wheel high locked center diff, 4 wheel low locked center diff, no 2wd option. If I ever go into the transfer case, it's getting manual hubs and a transfer case with 2wd.

 

[SS396driver]

I'm not familiar with that platform, my Yota stuff is pre-Taco, so I'm spitballing.

Do you have a front axle disconnect? Sometimes those require backing up a goodly bit, or rocking back and forth to get them to unbind and retract. A previous Chevy I had would leave the light on until you backed up enough to disconnect things. Other times the vacuum lines leading to the disconnect can have issues and no longer retract or engage 4wd. I got sick of the axle disconnect on mine, installed manual hubs, locked the disconnect in "connected" mode, and removed all the vacuum BS.

Not sure what triggers the light, your actuator and 4wd stuff might be fine, just a problem with the indicator. Could be as simple as spilling coffee on your center console and the micro switch that turns on the light in the dash being gummy now. No clue if that's what actually turns on the light in the dash on yours, like I said, I'm spitballing.

My current Prado is full time 4wd with a center differential in the transfer case. 4 wheel high, 4 wheel high locked center diff, 4 wheel low locked center diff, no 2wd option. If I ever go into the transfer case, it's getting manual hubs and a transfer case with 2wd.

From what I understand the front actuator is all electric it engages the front differential and the switch for the light is in the actuator it grounds out the circuit. I’m just hoping the front differential isn’t engaged . I may have to crawl under it and disconnect it . Not fun in 4degree weather

 

[OM617YOTA]

From what I understand the front actuator is all electric it engages the front differential and the switch for the light is in the actuator it grounds out the circuit. I’m just hoping the front differential isn’t engaged . I may have to crawl under it and disconnect it . Not fun in 4degree weather

That's ideal, kind of a built in test mode. When it works.

Good luck, I don't envy you at all.

 

[SS396driver]

Went out and started the Taco 4wd light is out . No clue but it’s 22 years old

 

[Lee192233]

From what I understand the front actuator is all electric it engages the front differential and the switch for the light is in the actuator it grounds out the circuit. I’m just hoping the front differential isn’t engaged . I may have to crawl under it and disconnect it . Not fun in 4degree weather

There are quite a few trucks that don't disengage the front diff when in 2wd. I don't think it would hurt anything temporarily as long as the transfer case is in 2wd.

Went out and started the Taco 4wd light is out . No clue but it’s 22 years old

The indicator switch is probably starting to stick.