I just bought the vehicle yesterday. It feels good to be driving another one. I have been out of the Toyota loop for too long. I bought an Isuzu Trooper which I'm fixing up along with a rusted ass Mitsubishi Mighty Max 4x4 I just sold.

Anyway, the 4Runner only has 125,000 original miles and everything works except the 4WD indicator light on the gauge cluster. The truch goes in and out of 4WD just fine I'm guessing the light is out. Any advice on how to get it working?

 

Check the switch and wiring to it. The switch is located on the transfer case, I believe it's only two wires.

 

If the wiring and switch look good it could just be the bulb is burnt out.

 

Thanks!! I will give it a look.

 

any update in this? I found where the switch is plugged in to the transfer case, but the wire is just dangling down (possibly ripped out of socket on trail). Where does the wire connect to?

 

The white with black stripe only goes to ground.

Start with the switch. Is it working?
To test:
Make sure the white wire with black stripe from the switch is connected to bare, shiny metal of body ground.
Multi-meter to resistance mode.
One probe to body ground, the other probe to the red wire with yellow stripe from the 4WD switch.
Turn ignition on have someone put truck in 4WD. Multi-meter should indicate almost zero ohm.

Now let's look for the other wire.
The other wire should be red with yellow stripe. Find the harness that runs from reverse light switch on transmission and trace it to a "y" somewhere near and above the starter. The 4WD indicator switch wire should also be there. Look for red wire with yellow stripe there.
To be safe, verify:
Is it really the correct wire?
Multimeter to Volts DC mode,
Turn Ignition on
Negative (black) probe to body ground, Positive (red) probe to that yellow wire. You should get 12V.
Now, have someone watch the 4WD indicator on the dash. Touch that wire to ground. Yes, touch that wire to body ground. The 4WD indicator should come on.

If all above tests check out, re-connect those two ends of re wire with yellow stripe, and try putting truck in 4WD again with Ign switch on.

 

Sorry, I sold the 4Runner and bought an 82 Toyota pickup instead.