Blinking CDL Light and VSC Off but CDL Unlocked - Is there a Sensor like the 80/100? (1 Viewer)

[bulldog1402]

I'll try to make this as painless as possible since I am sure many of you saw the thread title and passed right by. For those that are reading, many thanks.

I am coming from an 80 and then a 100 series and often times, if you know enough about your truck, you can tell when the center diff is locked and when it is unlocked. The steady light or blinking light was not always a good indication as to an error and sometimes there was a faulty sensor in these trucks that was an easy fix.

I'm curious if my 2004 GX470 has one of these. I have searched this forum and CL along with GXOR with no luck.

What I have and what I have tried:

1. Pressing the CDL button locks the center differential just fine as evidence in a gravel lot. No issues. After pressing it, you hear the actuator motor, and the blinking light goes solid and remains solid. Pressing it again, unlocks it and that car runs fine. I can hear the actuator motor working and can tell when driving on pavement that the center differential is unlocked. There is no secret behind when our trucks are locked or unlocked.

2. Thinking maybe the actuator is stuck minutely out of place, I have tapped the transfer case area with a rubber mallet to no avail.

3. No error codes with Techstream.

4. Unplugged the battery overnight.

5. Tried figure 8's forwards and reverse in gravel parking lot.

The truck runs fine, there are no problems with it, but the blinking light is driving me crazy and my wife refuses to drive it like that. Princess.

Any suggestions for things I have not tried? Thanks in advance.

 

[JLee]

To clarify, it's constantly blinking all the time and does not go solid when you have the CDL locked?

 

[bulldog1402]

Thanks for the response.

I have updated my initial post for clarification purposes.

To answer your question, upon pressing the button, I hear the actuator motor work, the center differential locks, and the CDL light stays solid.

I confirm at this point the CD is locked driving around a gravel lot.

 

[bulldog1402]

Well sometimes you just have to figure it out on your own and get your hands dirty.

I opened up the CDL actuator on the transfer case and verified that it was in good condition and working correctly. No problems there.

No water in there or corrosion or rust so that was a good start. I am mechanically and electrically inclined so I was able to figure it all out.

It turned out that that the timing was off just a few degrees and once I adjusted it, the CDL now locks and unlocks without issue and the lights behave as they should.

I just wanted to update this thread for posterity sake. I got most of my information from 4runner sites and trial and error. I did not take the actuator off the transfer case.

 

[darnold87]

Bulldog, what do you mean the timing was off a few degrees? Is the CDL mechanism adjustable?
I too went from a 80 to a 100 to a GX470. Mine is also a 2004. My CDL blinks / flashes (after you push the button), then the VSC OFF light comes on and the CDL locks. But the CDL light keeps flashing. Can't seem to figure this out...

 

[captainva]

If its blinking its not locked. Its only locked when it becomes solid

 

[darnold87]

If its blinking its not locked. Its only locked when it becomes solid

I understand that is how it's designed. However, that's why I'm puzzled. The CDL is definitely locking. As soon as the VSC OFF lights up, you can feel everything tighten up and bind a little when turning in gravel or grass. I've tested it flexed out, slowly moving, with tires in the air as well. CDL unlocked and it can't make it. CDL locked and it can crawl the same line. It all appears to be working properly. I'm just wondering if it's not getting a signal that the CDL is actually locking. The actuator is a little oily too, so I wouldn't be surprised if it's full of gear oil.

 

[Nailhead]

My situation was the light was blinking and upon disassembly of the actuator it was in the locked position. The gear circled in the picture was missing from its normal location as shown in the picture with the arrow. My guess it was trying to unlock and broke and couldn't unlock so it kept blinking and the VSC Off light stayed on. I was able to push the shift rod back in manually and unlock the diff.