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Mrlanevo5

Mrlanevo5

Joined
Feb 22, 2019
Threads
3
Messages
26
Location
Raleigh NC
I've been trying to fix this problem for going on 6 years, posted on the 80 tech forum to no avail. I've got a 97 FJ80 w/o lockers that has a flickering CDL/ABS light upon acceleration. This has been an intermittent problem, at times it will do it for months on end and other times it won't happen for months. I have replaced the 3 switches on the transfer case, this didn't help. The truck hasn't been in low range for many many years. Any advice on how to proceed would be greatly appreciated.
 
Do both of the lights flicker at the exact same time? Or are they offset?
 
For the most part they come on at the same time. The CDL usually comes on first followed by the ABS milliseconds after. At times though the ABS light won't come on when the CDL does, but that's rare
 
Hmm... do you have the 7pin mod? If you switch to low range which lights come on? If you switch back to high range and accelerate do the lights come on immediately or after a few seconds?

I have a 95 80 series. I've removed my ABS pump and installed the 7-pin mod and CDL switch.
 
Mrlanevo5 said:
For the most part they come on at the same time. The CDL usually comes on first followed by the ABS milliseconds after. At times though the ABS light won't come on when the CDL does, but that's rare
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Have you checked the level of the brake fluid reservoir? Where is the current fluid level?

Does the CDL light illuminate when you select low range on the center column?
 
lumbee1 said:
Hmm... do you have the 7pin mod? If you switch to low range which lights come on? If you switch back to high range and accelerate do the lights come on immediately or after a few seconds?

I have a 95 80 series. I've removed my ABS pump and installed the 7-pin mod and CDL switch.
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I don't have the 7pin mod. When I switch to low range no lights come on, right now when I switch back to high range I'm not having any lights come on.
 
Green Hell Mustang said:
Have you checked the level of the brake fluid reservoir? Where is the current fluid level?

Does the CDL light illuminate when you select low range on the center column?
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Yes the break fluid level is good,. No the CDL light does not come on when I select low range
 
It sounds like the truck may have a loose ground...or two. The trouble here is tracking down the one that's loose, or at least checking them. I believe the two lights in the instrument cluster (combination meter) share a common ground. I think it's the one near the air intake chamber, between the brake master cylinder and power steering reservoir. Check that ground and any others in the engine compartment. Then work your way back into the cabin and check the grounds in the center console and the left and right kick panels. That's what I would do first.

It might also be a good idea to double check the CDL and ABS relays, just make sure they are functioning properly.
 
I almost forgot. I would also asses what the condition of your fusible link is like. If it's looking pretty old and tired, I'd replace it. It's cheap insurance.
 
After replacing the 3 transfer case switches today the CDL/ABS lights came on and stayed on for the duration of my ride home. I turned off the truck and then turned it back on lights were still illuminated. Let it sit for a couple of hours, got back in lights were off and I drove it around the neighborhood, lights didn't flicker at all. This is really pissing me off 🤬
 
What about the actual light bulbs in the cluster? Maybe they have a weak connect 🤷🏽‍♂️

When I installed the LEDs, some were a little wonky from not being in tight enough, or upside down.
 
White Sheep said:
What about the actual light bulbs in the cluster? Maybe they have a weak connect 🤷🏽‍♂️

When I installed the LEDs, some were a little wonky from not being in tight enough, or upside down.
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Maybe, do you have a list of the LED bulbs you used for the cluster. Gonna do that after seeing how good yours looked.
 
Yeah. I'll post later tonight. Just getting home and gotta play with my daughter till she goes to bed. But the job is super easy, especially after the third time of getting in there lol
 
I think @Green Hell Mustang is on the right track. Do not open the dash to change the lights. With shifter in Neutral, shifting to Low Range with no other mods should activate CDL and disable ABS. Move shifter to Drive and the truck will rev but move slowly (low range). Both CDL and ABS should be lit on dash. Move shifter back to Neutral and shift from Low to High. ABS will go out immediately but CDL will only disengage once pressure has been removed from the drive line. It will sound like an audible clunk. Move shifter to Drive.
 
lumbee1 said:
I think @Green Hell Mustang is on the right track. Do not open the dash to change the lights. With shifter in Neutral, shifting to Low Range with no other mods should activate CDL and disable ABS. Move shifter to Drive and the truck will rev but move slowly (low range). Both CDL and ABS should be lit on dash. Move shifter back to Neutral and shift from Low to High. ABS will go out immediately but CDL will only disengage once pressure has been removed from the drive line. It will sound like an audible clunk. Move shifter to Drive.
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I can put shifter in N and shift into Low. Truck will rev and does move slow, neither light is illuminated. When I put the truck back into N and shift back into high range, still no lights. I also don't hear that audible clunk sound. Is the center diff lock not engaging? The transfer case was replaced by the previous owner in 2010 with a unit with 55k miles, truck had 113k at the time. Now has 173k.
 
Mrlanevo5 said:
After replacing the 3 transfer case switches today the CDL/ABS lights came on and stayed on for the duration of my ride home. I turned off the truck and then turned it back on lights were still illuminated. Let it sit for a couple of hours, got back in lights were off and I drove it around the neighborhood, lights didn't flicker at all. This is really pissing me off 🤬
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Mrlanevo5 said:
Thanks for all the input, I have zero confidence in working with electrical stuff so I will talk this over with my mechanic when I see him tomorrow.
Click to expand...

No problem. I had something very similar happen in my truck not too long ago. I found that the ground connector under the intake manifold was the culprit. I've also had a loose ground that kept illuminating the rear diff lock light in the instrument cluster. The trouble with that last one is that I don't have front or rear diff locks. Every time the light would start trying to illuminate, I would say to myslef "I wish!"

Let us know how it all turns out.
 
Mrlanevo5 said:
I can put shifter in N and shift into Low. Truck will rev and does move slow, neither light is illuminated. When I put the truck back into N and shift back into high range, still no lights. I also don't hear that audible clunk sound. Is the center diff lock not engaging? The transfer case was replaced by the previous owner in 2010 with a unit with 55k miles, truck had 113k at the time. Now has 173k.
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It might be as simple as something just isn't connected properly. Mileage posted is all very young for a Cruiser. I have 273K miles on my drivetrain.
 
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