Update: I got the car on jacks and verified that it is stuck in 4wd with the center diff locked. Any info on which of those 2 parts to replace would be appreciated.

 

Update: It is fixed now. I think.
It appears that the 2001 push button 4wd is different from the '99 instructions discussed in much of the thread. My situation almost exactly matched that of coryforbes68 who also had an '01. I also had the transfer case sensor fail to close even when the ball push rod was depressed. It was the sensor closer to the front of the car on the actuator on the back of the transfer case. The part for me was 84222-12010.

Following instructions from the thread, I inserted a copper wire to connect the 2 pins of the sensor wire to fool the car into thinking the sensor was activated. This allowed the car to enter 2wd after some driving, although the 4wd it was still blinking.

I cleaned the bad sensor by pressing and rolling it on a paper towel and eventually it was able to show connectivity when fully depressed. I put everything back, restarted the car, and the blinking stopped with me in 2wd.

I haven't tried to engage and disengage 4wd again since I'm not sure if I really cleaned it enough and I don't want to go through all that fiddling again.

Thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread. It save me a bundle of $$$ =D.

 

Just wanted to update and say thanks 99SCRunner! I changed out the front diff sensor (part number 84222-35070) and the 4wd on the fly engauges and disengauges with no problems.

 

In Chicago about 5-6 weeks ago we got about a foot of snow so I decided to push my 4WD button for better traction. Well the light on the dash kept blinking and blinking and I could tell the 4WD wouldn't fully lock up. When I pushed the button again to go back into 2WD same thing, I was in limbo.

Well long story short, I took my car to the dealer and they told me that I would need a new actuator and they would have to remove the tranny and transfer case to fix the problem ($2056+tax to fix). After reading through this thread and with much help from Doug (99SC4Runner) I purchased two of the transfer indicator switches (PN 84222-12010 & PN 84222-35070). They really are the exact same part, only have two different part numbers because they go in different spots; they were about $120+change for both.

I replaced the parts myself and my 4WD worked like it should, shifted in and out without any hesitation or delay.

Follow 99SC4Runners thread if you have a similar story, I am 95% positive that you will have the same outcome as myself and others who have done so!

 

Anyone have a pic of where the 84222-12010 is? Ive looked like a mofo to find it but just cant see it for some reason

 

Godzilla,

If you crawl under your truck from the driver's side, remove the transfer case skid plate, you will see the butt end of the Transfer Indicator Switch 84222-12010 on the back, driver's side of the transfer case.

Hope that helps.

 

Right on, thanks for the reply. I will check it out later today.

 

Best thread of the year!

Sticky this thread!!!!!!!!!!!

 

This thread saved me a ton too on my 2000 Limited...
I had this problem happen driving back from snowboarding this weekend.
I tested the sensor on the front diff and the two on the transfer case. On my truck the bad sensor was the one on the back of transfer case toward the front end. That part was $87 - i also replaced the one on the front diff just for insurance after reading this thread for $50.

 

Hi Doug,
Would you send the pics to me, I got same problem that the light blinking on my 99 Toyota limited.
Thanks you very much.
Paul Vu
paulvu75@yahoo.com

 

Paul,

Pics sent via email.


Doug

 

WOW, i am a newbie here and just wanted to say what a great thread and what a great site. sounds like this has saved many people ALOT of money. it amazes me how helpful everyone is. i will checking this out on my 99 runner in the next week or two. thanks to everyone

 

Why is the stealer so retarded about this?

 

I did replaced the 84222-35070 but the indicator still flashing. do I have to relpace the other switch as well(84222-12010 ).
Thanks
Paul

 

I am new to yotatech and have found this forum to be very helpful with several other problems on my 1999 4runner limited 4wd. My indicator light randomly flashes for a short period of time when I am driving, so I replaced the switch 84222-35070 (ADD switch) and 4wd indicator light still flashes.

I also used the old switch in the 4wd position switch location (since they appear to be the same). No luck, the light still flashes. I also tried unplugging the Center diff switch, neutral position switch, L4 position switch, and both 4wd position switches on the actuator to try to identify the problem. No luck. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

Unfortunately I had to cancel my picture hosting site. If anyone still has the pictures there are plenty of free pic hosting sites out there. Here are two that I use:

http://www.moarpics.com
http://www.tinypic.com

 

hey there! thanks a lot for all the informative ideas and writeups! I'm new and don't have a clue to what the pictures look like nor can I get any documentation....please email me, pm me, or post here for a reply. This was a great thread by the way. I would have never thought that the problems would arise from some measely little actuators!
m/m button is the button on the side of the stick next to the gear shift? is that what you guys refer to the 4WD switch? just wonderin' Also, how long should it ever take in order for the 4WD blinking wheel indicator on the dash to turn solid? a few minutes or tens of minutes during normal operation and without faulty actuators? Thanks in advance.

Ken

 

Great thread. My truck is the 3rd gen 4 banger 2.7L - will the information in this thread apply to me - in other words, does anyone know if the 2.7L run the same xfer case, front diff etc as the 6's.
thanks in advance...

 

MAXIMUM respect to 99SC4RUNNER for this thread. Saved people so much dough around the world!

Hoping to be one of those when I get my new front diff actuator on Friday!!

99SC4RUNNER - I have emailed you requesting the info you sourced. Thanks DUDE!.

Ash (in England)

 

DOH - got my old front diff actuator switch out and tested. It's in PERFECT condition!!

I have never been so dissappointed about something thats actually works before. Now onto the other switches I suppose.....

Ash.