2012 Prado 150 series Central Diff Lock light flashing

[WHOAMI Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close WHOAMI]

Hi guys,

I'm guessing this topic has been brought up a few times before, but I haven't had much luck with the search function.

I've got a 2012 150 series Prado, manual, 4cyl 3.0 lt, DIESEL.

I've had the car only for over two months now, and am the second owner. All service records are in place and this problem doesn't seem to have appeared before.

Anyway, a couple of weeks after I bought the Prado, the CDL light started flashing upon turning the engine on. Sometimes, the light would stop flashing if I turned the engine off and back on again. And sometimes the "off and on" trick didn't stop the flashing lights. It happens on some days and doesn't on some.

I recently took it to a Toyota dealership where they plugged in the OBD2 screening tool, and couldn't find any fault codes apparently. I've tried things like reversing the ca in a zig zag pattern, doing s-turns on sand, and a heap of other stuff suggested on different forums. Nothing seems to work.

While the CDL light is flashing, I can't engage cruise control, and also cannot engage the 4WD Low mode.

Can somebody throw some light on this please.

Thanks in advance.

[Loddo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Loddo]

Hi In my experience with that problem is that the battery voltage is low when the computers do their checks. does th light go ouy after the car has been running for some time ?

[WHOAMI Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close WHOAMI]

Hi In my experience with that problem is that the battery voltage is low when the computers do their checks. does th light go ouy after the car has been running for some time ?

It doesn't go off unless I turn the engine off and on again. And sometimes, even turning it off and on again doesn't sort the issue.

[Loddo Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Loddo]

WhOAMI. Sorry i should have said that after the car has been running for a while and then turn it off . then restart . As you have indicated it goes out after it has been running for a while and not when you stop and start straight away . As i said earlier i would have the battery checked . If it is cold ie air temp when you start the battery is the suspect.

[WHOAMI Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close WHOAMI]

I had a bloke at my workplace suggest cleaning out the Mass Airflow Filter. Apparently he had a similar issue with his Prado, and it helped get rid of the flashing lights. Might or might not help in my case, but I'm not giving up. It's a shame that the Toyota dealership don't care enough to dig in a little further and figure out what the problem is.

[WHOAMI Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close WHOAMI]

WhOAMI. Sorry i should have said that after the car has been running for a while and then turn it off . then restart . As you have indicated it goes out after it has been running for a while and not when you stop and start straight away . As i said earlier i would have the battery checked . If it is cold ie air temp when you start the battery is the suspect.

The battery was checked at the Toyota service centre and is apparently fine.

[starbuck76 Member Find all posts View Profile Close starbuck76]

This is a similar problem that the 200 series Landcruiser has when the battery voltage is low. A new battery fixes the problem.

[WHOAMI Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close WHOAMI]

This is a similar problem that the 200 series Landcruiser has when the battery voltage is low. A new battery fixes the problem.

Does the 200 series show any error codes while having this issue?

[Peter F Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Peter F]

Hi WHOAMI,

Your question egged me to join this site. I'm waiting for my first Prado due in Sep. But I recently sold my beloved FJ Cruiser. I had an experience where the diff lock light stayed on after I ventured into some moderate deep water and didn't know the breathers were on the diff! Yep, when I got home, dumped and replaced the diff oil (slightly milky) and it fixed the diff lock light problem. I'm suggesting it may not be an electrical problem but possible the oil and when it warms up etc?? I'm not a mechanic but know how to do the simple stuff. I think the FJ Forum pointed me to check the oil.
Peter

[Guest Close Guest]

Hi WHOAMI,

Your question egged me to join this site. I'm waiting for my first Prado due in Sep. But I recently sold my beloved FJ Cruiser. I had an experience where the diff lock light stayed on after I ventured into some moderate deep water and didn't know the breathers were on the diff! Yep, when I got home, dumped and replaced the diff oil (slightly milky) and it fixed the diff lock light problem. I'm suggesting it may not be an electrical problem but possible the oil and when it warms up etc?? I'm not a mechanic but know how to do the simple stuff. I think the FJ Forum pointed me to check the oil.
Peter

Centre diff is transfer case/ gearbox. Not the rear diff lock which I suspect you are talking about.

The fact the OP states they cant access Low ratio either it is likely the actuator on the back of the transfer case. Unless engaged regularly they can caused issues when you want them. Have the actuator pulled off and cleaned, check its operation and refit it. Usually sorts it out. Also spray some contact cleaner in the plugs. then some dielectric grease or water dispersal spray.

[WHOAMI Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close WHOAMI]

I've left my Prado at a different mechanic today and am waiting to see what he has to say. Upon connecting his scan tool, despite the flashing light on the dash, the scantool didn't show any error codes. He said he'll have a look at the actuator and let me know how he goes. I'll update the thread with the outcome if there is one.

[Guest Close Guest]

Some scantools wont show all codes from these cars. Techstream is the best one. Even some big $$$ Snap on ones don't display everything.

[WHOAMI Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close WHOAMI]

Some scantools wont show all codes from these cars. Techstream is the best one. Even some big $$$ Snap on ones don't display everything.

I live in Port Hedland, Western Australia. Options are very limited here. Hard to get bookings at short notice.

Anyway, no luck after showing it to a different mechanic. Light still flashing after four days now.

[starbuck76 Member Find all posts View Profile Close starbuck76]

Does the 200 series show any error codes while having this issue?

None as far as I know.

[Guest Close Guest]

None as far as I know.

Yes, the 200 shows a battery voltage low error code when it throws up the dash lights due to undervoltage. But has nothing to do with the selection of H/ Low etc.