CDL Switch NOT working, indicator does not illuminate, now what?

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L

lownslow

10 Year
Joined
Mar 17, 2012
Threads
21
Messages
182
Hey guy just recently picked up a 1997 lexus lx450.

It has the cdl switch and the 7 pin mod.

I just noticed when the switch is pushed it does not illuminate on the dash. Now I have pulled the dash to make sure that it was plugged in and it was. The harness had 2 black wires, 1 yellow, 1 green, and 1 white.

He had a extra hazard switch so he just plugged it into that. One question is does it need to be the CDL switch from slee or can it be any switch?

I unplugged it from the extra hazard switch he had it hooked up to and plugged it into the real hazards thinking it might be the switch but it still didnt work.

So after that I went down and checked if he did the 7 pi mod correct and he did.

So thats where I am not. What are my next steps? What do i check?

Could it be as simple as the bulb in the back of the gauges not working?

Thanks guys! :cheers:
 
The hazard switch will work for the CDL. Do what inkpot suggested and drive it on some gravel and see if it is engaging. Mine wasn't working when I got mine. I put everthing back to stock and played with all the different switches on the transfer case until I got it all working. Then I reinstalled the switch and redid the 7 pin mod. I followed this site to get my CDL working. You can also search on here and find a lot of info about the CDL.
 
Yeah sometimes you drive a bit and it will engage and light up. I have even had it engage but the light indicators are delayed for a few moments, but i can tell from driving that it s engaged. Any switch will work. I have a 4runner hazard light switch that I changed the icon on.
 
inkpot said:
Have you done a driving test to see if the CDL is working or not?
Click to expand...

What test driving do i to see if its working? This is my first cruiser. I dont know the feel of lockers or cdl.

StucknKS said:
The hazard switch will work for the CDL. Do what inkpot suggested and drive it on some gravel and see if it is engaging. Mine wasn't working when I got mine. I put everthing back to stock and played with all the different switches on the transfer case until I got it all working. Then I reinstalled the switch and redid the 7 pin mod. I followed this site to get my CDL working. You can also search on here and find a lot of info about the CDL.
Click to expand...

Should i check the transfer case? Ill try some test runs on some gravel tomorrow and see if they engage.

AppalachianHigh said:
Yeah sometimes you drive a bit and it will engage and light up. I have even had it engage but the light indicators are delayed for a few moments, but i can tell from driving that it s engaged. Any switch will work. I have a 4runner hazard light switch that I changed the icon on.
Click to expand...
ha yeah but thats the thing its my first cruiser so i dont know what it feels like when they are engaged or not. good to know the switch will work though.
 
I just bought a 97 LX also. When I bought mine It was stock so the only way I could test the centre diff was to put it in low range. If you have a pin 7 mod putting it in low range will not prove anything. I had to troubleshoot mine as well as it did not light up on the dash either. What I can suggest to you is turn the truck to the ON position without the truck running. Listen very carefully to the DS kickplate for a relay click when you push the CDL switch. If you hear a click you should hear the actuator motor on the centre diff load the spring.

If you hear all of this chances are your CDL is locked and you have a faulty CDL position sensor.
If you hear the click and no motor noise chances are your actuator may need some servicing or you have a wiring issue check the contacts on the actuator.
If you don't hear a click, you may have an issue with the 4wd ecu.

if its the position sensor, buy the beck/arnley ones as they are only about 15-20 bucks.(do a mud search the part numbers are on here somewhere) These are a great extra part to cary so I would suggest to buy an extra. They only take about 10 minutes to install and it could mean the difference of having a locked truck or not.

In my case, my low range, centre diff, and front diff position sensors were all faulty.
HTH
 
wesayso said:
Put the transfer case in low and see if it engages and the dash lights illuminate.
Click to expand...
Test drive to check for actual function of CDL by drive on hard surface without CDL around parking lot with full turns steering stop to steering stop while rollilng. Then engage CDL button and drive same pattern again. IF CDL is working, steering will be noticeably harder to turn wheel. No difference means no CDL.
 
wesayso said:
Put the transfer case in low and see if it engages and the dash lights illuminate.
Click to expand...

I did and no go. Still doesnt light up.
ChrisB said:
I just bought a 97 LX also. When I bought mine It was stock so the only way I could test the centre diff was to put it in low range. If you have a pin 7 mod putting it in low range will not prove anything. I had to troubleshoot mine as well as it did not light up on the dash either. What I can suggest to you is turn the truck to the ON position without the truck running. Listen very carefully to the DS kickplate for a relay click when you push the CDL switch. If you hear a click you should hear the actuator motor on the centre diff load the spring.

If you hear all of this chances are your CDL is locked and you have a faulty CDL position sensor.
If you hear the click and no motor noise chances are your actuator may need some servicing or you have a wiring issue check the contacts on the actuator.
If you don't hear a click, you may have an issue with the 4wd ecu.

if its the position sensor, buy the beck/arnley ones as they are only about 15-20 bucks.(do a mud search the part numbers are on here somewhere) These are a great extra part to cary so I would suggest to buy an extra. They only take about 10 minutes to install and it could mean the difference of having a locked truck or not.

In my case, my low range, centre diff, and front diff position sensors were all faulty.
HTH
Click to expand...

Ah that makes me nervous. Ill get under the truck and see if i can hear that and let you know. How much did it cost to fix yours if you dont mind me asking?

inkpot said:
Test drive to check for actual function of CDL by drive on hard surface without CDL around parking lot with full turns steering stop to steering stop while rollilng. Then engage CDL button and drive same pattern again. IF CDL is working, steering will be noticeably harder to turn wheel. No difference means no CDL.
Click to expand...

Got it! ill do this as well! Thanks! So if it does feel harder to turn then why would the light not come on.
 
lownslow said:
Ah that makes me nervous. Ill get under the truck and see if i can hear that and let you know. How much did it cost to fix yours if you dont mind me asking?
Click to expand...

Don't be nervous. Its really not that difficult. You don't need to get under the truck to hear the actuator. you should be able to hear it with your door open and the truck not running in the ON position.

To fix my lockers it cost me 60 bucks. 20 for each position sensor. Oh plus a big wrench to get them off. I think it was 1 1/16" don't quote me on it. I couldn't find the metric equivalent. I started with a big crescent but some of the sensors are in pretty tight locations so a socket was needed.

If it turns out that you are going to replace the CDL position switch let me know and I'll crawl under my truck and take some photos of the one you need to replace.

and Like I said, don't be nervous. If I can do it, anyone can. Plus you have the largest collection of the most knowledgeable people about landcruisers right here at your fingertips.

HTH
Chris
 
ChrisB

Thanks for that! I crawled under the truck last night and had my girlfriend push the cdl button. Didnt hear a thing! And my ear was right next to the transfer case.

So knowing that what are my next steps? Would that mean its the cdl position switch?

Im just hoping the lockers are not seized up and i hope im not going to have to rebuild them. Hopefully its just that sensor!

Appreciate the help everyone! I wouldnt know where to start without this forum.
 
Try to swap either the front or rear switch with the CDL switch do both if in doubt.

Did you try driving around in sand/gravel with the CDL and lockers engaged?
If not drive in circles unlocked, then try the same route with a locked rear...does it feel different, do the tracks look different?
Then straighten out, lock the front and rear and gradually get back into your former tracks. If the tires are scuffing and the front is binding you are locked and merely require a new switch.

Sometimes you need go forward and back to find the sweet spot or to do figure "8's" and try again.
Be gentler when the front is locked till you understand the system.
 
lownslow said:
ChrisB

Thanks for that! I crawled under the truck last night and had my girlfriend push the cdl button. Didnt hear a thing! And my ear was right next to the transfer case.

So knowing that what are my next steps? Would that mean its the cdl position switch?
Click to expand...

well I would start with the fuses on the dash. there is one labeled DIFF. its 30A. If it is blown, That will most likely fix your problem. The Dash light it a separate one called Gauge i think and its a 10A.

I would make sure everything works before you start rebuilding your actuators.
Make sure your CDL Switch works. (pull it off and put it on your hazard and make sure it works your hazard.)

Start there. Then we will get into the 4wd ecu and the actuator.


Do you have the FSM? I would suggest picking one up if you don't. They will definitely help with troubleshooting.
 
Subscribing to this thread. I've got a similar problem with my 80 so I'll be watching to see how yours works out. Chris is right about this forum as well; great people with great advice and recommendations.
 
ChrisB said:
well I would start with the fuses on the dash. there is one labeled DIFF. its 30A. If it is blown, That will most likely fix your problem. The Dash light it a separate one called Gauge i think and its a 10A.

I would make sure everything works before you start rebuilding your actuators.
Make sure your CDL Switch works. (pull it off and put it on your hazard and make sure it works your hazard.)

Start there. Then we will get into the 4wd ecu and the actuator.


Do you have the FSM? I would suggest picking one up if you don't. They will definitely help with troubleshooting.
Click to expand...

Hey sorry guys been busy as hell. I started filling the 160 holes on the other hand! Still havent worked out the cdl and the lockers deal though. Ill check the fuses and see if any are blown. isnt there a common problem with the cdl switch or connector that connects to the transfer case?

PaulShiroma said:
Subscribing to this thread. I've got a similar problem with my 80 so I'll be watching to see how yours works out. Chris is right about this forum as well; great people with great advice and recommendations.
Click to expand...
:cheers:
 
I have the same issue, but no CDL switch. I put it in 4 low and get no CDL. At least you aren't alone :-)
 
Ha i feel better im not alone! its probably a simple fix! But sorry guys i havent chimed in lately. I have been trying to fill the 164 holes! Been driving me crazy looking at it with that many holes. Anyways the cdl and lockers are next on my list so ill be back here asking away....again!
 
Hey guys so its been alittle while due to holidays, finals, and such. I just drove from savannah, ga to Tampa, fl and randomly tried my cdl switch and it worked! I havent touched it since i got the truck. i have been focused on filling the holes and fixing a oil leak. But anyways it worked! I tried it 3 or 4 times and it worked everytime. Got home, parked then tried again a few hours later and it didnt work. even if i drove it swerving back and forth. But now i just went out and tried again and it engaged. Why would it do that? Im so confused.
 
Using the advice from your thread (and others on this topic), I started "exercising" the truck in 4L every day when I got home from work. I also installed the CDL switch and used it as well in 4H. Now the CDL engages every time although the CDL and ABS lights still don't come on. Since I know that the PO never used 4L and I'm pretty sure the original owner didn't either, I figure the CDL just needed the exercise to get it functioning again; maybe yours will react the same.
 
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