Center Diff Light out???

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wesel123

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Lakewood, CA
On a recent trip I hit my center diff lock button and heard (or at least I think so) it engage. But the dash light did not light up. Is there a sure way to check if the center diff is locked??? Or is the light an indicator that the CDL is not working properly.

Thanks
 
Liam said:
dont do it in a parking lot......you want it to slip, not grab and break
Click to expand...

don't think it would break. I do much worse offroad :meh: I guess it could


plus i went full retard a few years ago and hit the button accidentally in the drive through and went all the way around the building doing 90* turns, it was so loud.
 
2000UZJ said:
don't think it would break. I do much worse offroad :meh: I guess it could


plus i went full retard a few years ago and hit the button accidentally in the drive through and went all the way around the building doing 90* turns, it was so loud.
Click to expand...

I dont think it would break as well, but I was just saying doing it on dirt = less stress
 
wesel123 said:
On a recent trip I hit my center diff lock button and heard (or at least I think so) it engage. But the dash light did not light up. Is there a sure way to check if the center diff is locked??? Or is the light an indicator that the CDL is not working properly.

Thanks
Click to expand...

My LX was doing this when I bought it. Turned out the CDL was working ok but the indicator wasn't coming on. On the transfer case there is a switch that is engaged when the CDL is locked that turns on the indicator, the switch was faulty in my case.
 
:princess: accidently hit the CDL the other day and called me at the office. She called because the steering got very hard. We talked it through and figured it out over the phone.

You will know if the CDL is engaged on pavement.
 
From the FSM it looks like there are three indicator switches. If nothing lights up from engaging the center diff lock switch, and nothing lights up when putting it into low does that mean that all three switches need replaced? CDL is defiantly working but nothing lights up, Hoser mentioned to me sometime ago (in a dash light thread) that the switch needed replaced..... just getting around to doing it now.
 
pegasis0066 said:
Here you go... Lexus LX470 (Toyota Landcruiser) 4WD Center Differential Lock Transfer Indicator Switch Problem
Click to expand...


Pegasis thanks for the link, is that something that is hard to get to? Also, do all three of these need replaced or should I just start with the one that you sent me?
CDL Switch.webp
 
Actually I don't know - my light didn't come on once so I researched and found that page. However, the next time I engaged the CDL the light came on, and has ever since.
 
Im wondering if the light doesn't come on from pushing the center diff lock button then the first one must be out. It also does not engage when putting it into low, so I'm guessing that the low switch needs replaced as well?
 
Last edited:
I bought the switch it was 68 bucks, I am having trouble accessing the one on top any tips on getting this out?


Edit: I got it off, new one on problem fixed.
 
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Center Diff Failure

This has been a great thread, but My center diff is still not behaving :o

Initially, I had the light failure (the locked center diff icon) with the other lights absent ATRAC/VSC. It still engaged, but with no dash indicators.

NOW, even after pulling both of the CDL switches and thoroughly steaming/cleaning them, the center diff won't even lock. I seem to remember a hydraulic like noise when the button was pressed/depressed as the diff engaged. Now, I hear a faint clicking from the passenger side dash, but no engagement whatsoever.

Anyone aware of a relay or fuse that could be failed and need examination?
 
bknblk said:
This has been a great thread, but My center diff is still not behaving :o

Initially, I had the light failure (the locked center diff icon) with the other lights absent ATRAC/VSC. It still engaged, but with no dash indicators.

NOW, even after pulling both of the CDL switches and thoroughly steaming/cleaning them, the center diff won't even lock. I seem to remember a hydraulic like noise when the button was pressed/depressed as the diff engaged. Now, I hear a faint clicking from the passenger side dash, but no engagement whatsoever.

Anyone aware of a relay or fuse that could be failed and need examination?
Click to expand...

Steam cleaning did not do it for me. I had to replace the switch. Did you bench test the old switch before you put it back in?

Posted from a brick.
 
Hugh Heifer said:
Steam cleaning did not do it for me. I had to replace the switch. Did you bench test the old switch before you put it back in?

Posted from a brick.
Click to expand...

I hate to say that I didn't test it pre/post cleaning. I did work it over pretty thoroughly with Simple Green and Steam while adding small amount dielectric grease to terminals. I may just replace it to be sure, bu I thought I'd see if there any other simple fuses or things to check before going that far.

This is, in fact, the CDL from under the truck and on top of the Differential.
 
Hi guys, I am trying to remove this switch but am having one heck of a time doing so. No room to maneuver and it looks pretty rusty. Any tips for getting a this thing out?
 
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