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4wd indicator switch/sensor
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 2:52 pm
by torchard
Granted, I haven't gone under and looked for myself so this may be obvious, but I determined that the instrument panel mounted 4WD indicator bulb is NOT blown out, so I'm thinking it's not getting any current because ...? Is the switch/sensor at the transfer case? How does it work? Has anyone else experienced a non-functional 4wd indicator which was not a burnt bulb?
BTW it does shift into 4wd, so I figure it's with the switch rather than some larger mechanical issue.
Thanks,
Re: 4wd indicator switch/sensor
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 4:50 pm
by Green1
there was a post recently on the UK site about this, apparently the wire as it comes off the transfer case is pretty brittle and may have broken... check there... (one of these days I'll sort mine out too, for now I just use the "wheel lock" light as my indicator...)
Re: 4wd indicator switch/sensor
Posted: Tue Jul 10, 2007 11:12 pm
by torchard
Hi Brett,
So there's two lights? One which indicates the van is in 4WD and another, the wheel lock indicate, which tells you the hubs are engaged? If that's the case, neither of mine work. I know where the wheel lock light is but not the other...?
I was orginially referring to the wheel lock light as that was the only one I was aware of. I did stick my head under and the wires at the transfer case do look a little fragile.
--T
Green1 wrote:there was a post recently on the UK site about this, apparently the wire as it comes off the transfer case is pretty brittle and may have broken... check there... (one of these days I'll sort mine out too, for now I just use the "wheel lock" light as my indicator...)
Re: 4wd indicator switch/sensor
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 8:56 am
by Adam
torchard wrote:So there's two lights? One which indicates the van is in 4WD and another, the wheel lock indicate, which tells you the hubs are engaged? If that's the case, neither of mine work. I know where the wheel lock light is but not the other...? I was originally referring to the wheel lock light as that was the only one I was aware of. I did stick my head under and the wires at the transfer case do look a little fragile.
Hmmm, what does the wheel lock light look like? I see my 4WD light which goes on and off between 2H & 4H shifting once the hubs are locked. I just have to stop the first time I shift into 4H to lock the hubs, but I don't have an indicator light once I shift back to 2H even though the hubs are still locked.
Re: 4wd indicator switch/sensor
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 9:32 am
by docsavage
The 4wd light has a sender at the back of the transfer case. A bundle of wires is hanging back there, the yellow one with small red checks is for the 4wd light. Mine broke once, and as you can see in the picture is Broken again.
Fix and wrap it up and it should be alright (I didn't wrap mine again, oops)
James
Re: 4wd indicator switch/sensor
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:19 am
by torchard
Excellent - thanks. Looks similar to the mess I saw last night. Thanks for confirming the yellow wire.
--T
docsavage wrote:The 4wd light has a sender at the back of the transfer case. A bundle of wires is hanging back there, the yellow one with small red checks is for the 4wd light. Mine broke once, and as you can see in the picture is Broken again.
Fix and wrap it up and it should be alright (I didn't wrap mine again, oops)
James
Re: 4wd indicator switch/sensor
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 11:35 am
by torchard
The wheel lock light glows green when it works and can be found on the bottom of the instrument panel in line with the glow plug, oil pressure, etc indicator lights. Apparently it stays lit as long as the hubs are engaged. Squint and you'll see it even it doesn't illuminate. If there is a light to indicate that the transfer case is engaged, I dunno where it is.
Adam wrote: Hmmm, what does the wheel lock light look like? I see my 4WD light which goes on and off between 2H & 4H shifting once the hubs are locked. I just have to stop the first time I shift into 4H to lock the hubs, but I don't have an indicator light once I shift back to 2H even though the hubs are still locked.
Found it
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 1:45 pm
by Adam
OK, I see the Wheel Lock light. Mine doesn't illuminate when the hubs are locked (red circle), but the 4WD light does (orange circle).

Re: Found it
Posted: Wed Jul 11, 2007 2:27 pm
by torchard
So I got under there and unwrapped the bundle and repaired two wires (yellow and black I think) connecting to two red leads via bullet connectors running to the back of the transfer case. This repair got the 4wd light to illuminate (circled orange in above photo). I chased the yellow line back a bit but didn't find anything broken or particularly weak in appearance. So half the battle is won, which might be enough to calm me for a while.
Anyway I reverse frequently enough so it's not as if I"m going to be driving around for any length of time with the hubs locked.
--T
[quote="Adam"]OK, I see the Wheel Lock light. Mine doesn't illuminate when the hubs are locked (red circle), but the 4WD light does (orange circle).
Re: 4wd indicator switch/sensor
Posted: Mon Aug 27, 2007 9:27 pm
by DelicaMark
I had the same problem with both 4WD and Wheel Lock lights. I fixed the 4WD drive light but the yellow wire for me was still intact. When I was checking out which wire I fixed the 4WD light came on and stayed on and the wheel lock light came on then went out. Assuming that there is something loose with that other wire...will have to keep searching or not bother. I can here the hubs unlock when I reverse...good enough maybe?
BTW thanks for the posts, it made it pretty easy and quick to figure out.
-Mark
Re: 4wd indicator switch/sensor
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2007 5:45 pm
by DelicaMark
One thing I have noticed with this. By fixing the one yellow wire I got both the 4WD and Wheel Lock lights to come on. This makes me think that if only one of your lights are coming on then you likely have a burnt out light because it seems like they are linked in some way. Could be wrong just as easily...just a thought.
Re: 4wd indicator switch/sensor
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:10 pm
by coaxial
wierd on a 5spd manual the wheel lock is a little higher and the other light is right under it. I have the green wheel lock light working but the other does not. I will crawl under tonight and check out the wires.
I wish that either monsoon season would end or that I had a garage

Re: 4wd indicator switch/sensor
Posted: Thu Jan 10, 2008 3:24 pm
by coaxial
Re: 4wd indicator switch/sensor
Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 3:27 am
by coaxial
well I was underneath for a while tonight and still only a wheel lock light, no 4wd light. I've got a 92 exceed but it's quite a different scene around my transfer case, no big bundle of wires but a bunch of neatly wrapped ones tucked away. I spotted one red wire that was worn and almost broken and repaired that, couldn't find a yellow wire or anything else broken.
Any tips to find the yellow wire? where on the case does it come out of?
Re: 4wd indicator switch/sensor
Posted: Sat Jan 12, 2008 9:42 am
by 39Ronin
coaxial wrote:
Any tips to find the yellow wire? where on the case does it come out of?
My
yellow wire was black, but after I cleaned it was yellow again. Have another look and try to clean of the wires and maybe you will see it.