PoconoJack

My truck shifts out of and into 4 wheel drive no problem however the light doesn't turn off on the dash. I am thinking it is a bad switch. Can someone tell me how it comes off of the transfer case please. Being I have a parts truck I would like to swap them and see if that really is the problem.

Is it possible for the switch to be the problem?

Thanks in advance.

mt_goat

What tranny/transfer case do you have? Do you have ADD?

PoconoJack

Locking hubs, 5 speed. Not sure how to answer the t-case question other than It is a 1990 v6 extra cab so what ever it came with.


Sorry bout that!

mt_goat

Well if its like the gear driven t-cases they have the switch like this one with the 2 blue wires:

PoconoJack

I would say it looks like that but it is caked in crap. Looks to me like that is threaded in there.

Thanks,

Jack

mt_goat

Yep, just screws right in. The first one I got with by Marlin crawler had the wire insulation broken right at the switch, so you might just check the wires first.

tc

Note that the threads are different sizes on 4cyl and V6 versions.

I thought the light on the dash was triggered by the switch in the front diff though, and was pretty "error proof" (if it says 4WD, you're in 4WD). Could be that the ADD sleeve is not retracting from a vacuum leak or something.

4JOGGER

I Have A 4x4 Switch From A 1990 For Sale

rdharper

Pardon what may be a dumb question... in your case.... but how are you verifying it is not still in 4WD? Just unlocking the front hubs won't do it.

Jay351

Go on some dirt and get somobody to watch you as you stomp on the gas.

PoconoJack

Actually that was not far from the method.

The reason I thought it was the switch was because it has gone off a few times for a few minutes only to mysteriously come back on.

Hummm. If that is the case that is totally possible because some prior owner of my truck went under the hood and randomly rearanged stuff.

I was really hoping it was just a switch.

RobD

The way it works is that the transfer case switch is in series with the ADD actuator switch on your front diff. All the switches do is light up the light on the dash depending on if they're in the closed position or not. Pull your transfer case lever into the 4 wheel drive and it engages the one switch. Roll forward and allow the ADD actuator to move into place and the second switch triggers, lighting up the light. Both switches would have to stick, assuming you have ADD on your front end still. If the previous owner jumped the switch, or you never had one, then it could be the transfer case switch stuck.

I've attached the wiring diagram for a 1991 4Runner. Hope this sheds some light on your...uh...light.

ozziesironmanoffroad

you know, my 4wd light hasnt worked since the day i got the truck. and you just brought that to my attention. im so glad i have manual locking hubs and know when its in 2wd or not.. haha. well i take it back... i think it worked once, when the truck rolled. i was struggling to get out of the window, and i look at the dash, and the light just happens to be on... i was like, gee you choose now to come on,thanks. thats the only time ive seen it work. haha

stormin94

I think you have a gear driven T-case. The older ones had a chain driven t-case.

PoconoJack

Thanks for the help on that. Apon further review I am 90% sure it is switch related. The transfer case shifts in and out of 4 wheel drive no problem. I tested that quite a few times last night. However that darn green light never goes out.

ON a side note where did you get that diagram. That thing rules and I need to get me one of those in color e-FSM's.

RobD

www.techinfo.toyota.com

It's $10 per day, chargeable to a credit card so long as it's U.S. based. Download whatever you want for that 24 hour period. Takes less than an hour to download pretty much everything you want.

PoconoJack

Sweet thanks. I am going to do that right now!