80 Series - Dashboard light Issue....

[Jay]

Hey all,

Few days ago I fitted a couple of aftermarket gauges into my 80 series (Oil Pressure and Turbo).... They are all hooked up and working great.

I got in the truck to come to work yesterday, drove down the driveway, and the front diff lock light came on (very dim and sort of flickered) and stayed illuminated, but slowly got brighter until it was fully lit, but would come and go intermittantly along the motorway. Same again this morning... I was thinking it was possibly a bad dash light earth, but its only the one light - all others working as per usual.

I spoke to a friend thats an auto sparky in Whangarei, explained what I had done, and he thought it sounded strange, and possibly not related to the gauge installation - and said I should pull the plug at the diff and see if it goes away, possibly a bad connection there?...I havent had a chane to do this yet, but will tonight.

Any other thoughts?

Much appreciated.

Jay

[doddzee]

Are you sure its just the diff lock light?

Does it get brighter the with higher revs?
My 80 started doing that when the bearings in the alternator went. Started with a flickering then as you put your foot down it lit up.

[tomsoffroad]

Arn't Toyotas earth switched? Could be wrong but if they are and the switch (On the front diff) is wonky maybe its getting a partial earth intermitantly.

[Jay]

Hey ya,

Are you sure its just the diff lock light? quote]

Yup - Only the front diff lock light - it was pitch black when I left this morning, so would have noticed if any of the other lights were illuminated.

Arn't Toyotas earth switched? Could be wrong but if they are and the switch (On the front diff) is wonky maybe its getting a partial earth intermitantly.

Hey Tom - sounds possible - so does that mean if I pulled the plug at the diff like my mate said, it should tell me if that is the prob?

Cheers!

[Jay]

Oh - and sorry doddzee - No, engine rev's have no impact on the brightness of the light either.

Cheers

Jay

[tomsoffroad]

Hey Tom - sounds possible - so does that mean if I pulled the plug at the diff like my mate said, it should tell me if that is the prob?

Yeah that sounds right. And if you earth the plug the ligh should come on. Worth a shot

[Jay]

Cool - I didn't get a chance to have a look last night, so will get under there over the weekend...

Just a side note....I could never be an auto electrician, all those wires do my head in!!!!!!! I'd rather pull a motor out or drop a trans any day! lol

Cheers Tom,

Jay