I cannot get the orange ( amber ) light to quit blinking on my '02 Sequoia. I have searched the forums and tried the normal suggestions, but I think those suggestions are aimed more at getting the vehicle IN 4wd. I can turn the 4wd on/off (or at least the green lights go on and off). However, the orange light keeps blinking and you can tell that the diff is locked up (when turning). How do I get it unlocked?
If it is still blinking after putting it in nuetral taking your foot off and on the brake, also shutting down the vehicle, I'd say you may have a problem with the centre transfer case. I don't know the internals but would changing the oil loosen it up?, possibly it's stuck or a solenoid is dead? I've never read this problem on this forum.
I cannot get the orange ( amber ) light to quit blinking on my '02 Sequoia. I have searched the forums and tried the normal suggestions, but I think those suggestions are aimed more at getting the vehicle IN 4wd. I can turn the 4wd on/off (or at least the green lights go on and off). However, the orange light keeps blinking and you can tell that the diff is locked up (when turning). How do I get it unlocked?
I'm having the same problem. Did you find a resolution?
I had the same problem. The transfer case actuator failed. I was stuck in 4WD with the center diff locked. Dealer replaced the actuator under the 60K warranty. The actuator costs $400.00. I think the labor was 1 hour.
Question, though my 4wd works just fine, I believe. When you put the 01 sequoia into 4 LO w/ the column shifter in L, it says the center dif should lock. When I do this, the orange light starts blinking again. Does this mean that it is trying to lock, or it is locked? Wasn't sure if it should just stay a solid orange, or blink.
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1988 Nissan 300zx 5sd 71,000 miles
1995 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4 5spd 90,000 miles (sold, frame gone)
2001 Sequoia Limited 4x4 119,000 miles (some electronic issues, manifolds, otherwise solid and not a single rattle woot)
Don't know if the '01 is different, but on my '04 the light is solid when it's engaged. It only blinks when it's in the process of engaging or disengaging.
Yes, I got it fixed. I put it up on 4 jackstands and put it in what SHOULD HAVE BEEN 2WD. I then crawled under it and hit the front differential actuator with a hammer. I heard a slight "BZZZ", and VOILA! It was unlocked.
I had the same problem. The transfer case actuator failed. I was stuck in 4WD with the center diff locked. Dealer replaced the actuator under the 60K warranty. The actuator costs $400.00. I think the labor was 1 hour.
THD.
Good to hear - I bought the extended warranty thru 100K miles - so it should be covered when I take it in. I'm going to take it in on Saturday.
I am having the same problem with 2004 Sequoia. The amber light is blicking, tried pulling 4wd fuse, diconnected battery etc, amber light is still blinking. The four green will actuate one and off with switch. Is the transfer case actuator causing the problem or the front differential (ADD) causing the problem?
Don't know if the '01 is different, but on my '04 the light is solid when it's engaged. It only blinks when it's in the process of engaging or disengaging.
A solid light indicates the centre diff is locked. 2003 up models the diff can be locked anytime 4WD is engaged. 01 & 02 models the center diff can only be locked in 4Lo 1st gear.
- If there is a mod to change this that anybody ever figures out please let me know! - I didn't know this until after I bought mine, stupid me didn't try the 4WD on the test drive.
Edit: Sayonara - glad you figured it out. I'd use the 4WD more often to keep it lubed, knowing Toyota I bet there's something in the owner's manual about that.
I have not tried it lately but in 4LO and in L gear in my 01 I can only get the orange light to blink. Is there somethin else I have to do or is something potentially wrong?
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1988 Nissan 300zx 5sd 71,000 miles
1995 Nissan Pathfinder 4x4 5spd 90,000 miles (sold, frame gone)
2001 Sequoia Limited 4x4 119,000 miles (some electronic issues, manifolds, otherwise solid and not a single rattle woot)
04 Sequoia owner's manual states you can engage 4wd while moving up to 50+/- mph and to use locking transfer case "when stuck in a ditch, and not to spin the wheels when engaging 4wd or transfer case or damage will occur".
Well, if your stuck in a ditch, you won't be moving and only spinning your wheels.
Whats wrong with this picture????
I guess you have to expect you will get stuck and engage all while your moving on solid ground, so not to do damage.
I have not tried it lately but in 4LO and in L gear in my 01 I can only get the orange light to blink. Is there somethin else I have to do or is something potentially wrong?
I could be wrong but I think you have to press the button to the right of your 4x4 button while in the 02 (mine) I have to press the 4x4 button twice, I think it's something like that.
I bought my 01 Limited 4wd in 2004 with 80,000 miles on it. I took it for a test drive, tried out the 4wd etc, etc. When I put it in four low I noticed that the front end and steering did not jerk in turns like the front differential locked in. I asked the dealer about this. I got the response "the Sequoia has a system to sense that you do not need it and does not lock the front differential."
So, I go to trade it in on an 09 Sequoia now that the 01 has 100,000 miles on it (20,000 miles in four years isn't bad)...and upon the appraisal of the trade in (yes, at the same dealer) I get "something is wrong with your 4wd...the front differential isn't locking. It is going to drop your trade in value to nothing because we have to fix this." ....yup, I listened to a salesman...and am sure I was an idiot at least once, maybe twice.
<insert pissed off smiley>
Who is right? Should I have a positive lock of the front diff in 4 low?
They are scamming you, there is nothing wrong with it. On a 01 or 02 you will ONLY get the transfer case bind in 4LO 1st gear. All other gears are "All wheel drive" like a subaru or all wheel drive car except you also have lo range.
It can be extra fun wheeling up a hill in 4 LO 1st, then use reverse (it unlocks) then go back to 1st and see if it will lock again - been there done it, not all that much fun.
Edit: used it again today and it automatically locks the centre diff when the transfer case is in Lo and the trans lever is moved to L. When locked the centre light blinks then goes solid orange, all other trans gears the light is off indicating the center diff is open.