Prado Centre Diff lock

If it has a button !!!
If a leaver shift like mine, (no button) shift to Hi 4wd on the go anytime,
to go Lo 4wd put gear in neutral then select Lo range.
Some times the light on dash do's note come on immediately

Cheers

opps!! mine's an auto but assume manual would be the same.

You should always be able to get it to move into Hl, and you knows its locked when the light comes on soon after.

Sounds like Terry's problem is that the lever is actually jammed and won't get into Hl. Sounds like he needs to remove the centre console and unstick and lubricate the mechanism.

Should have added that you need to be stopped and in neutral to switch between Hi/Lo range

Terry,
I have a 98 Prado, but a manual. About 2 years ago, when were exploring the Flinders Ranges, I went to put the transfer case into HL and I could not budge the lever. Stuck solid in High Range not locked !

After being told by some local 4wd experts, that "Youve, got a stuffed transfer case", I took it to Toyota expecting to get a quote for big $'s.

About mid afternoon after dropping it off, I got a call, to say it was fixed, and that there was no charge ! I could have been knocked over with a feather !

It turns out, that the lever, where it goes through into the transfer case passes through a spring that is shaped a bit like a set of W's on their side. From the description given to me, the location of the lever through the spring sometimes jumps a notch with the result that the lever is jammed. I have had a look the arrangement myself, and also in the workshop manual, but I am not sure wether I understand the description.

The Service Manager at Toyota stated he had seen the fault a couple of times before.

Since I was attempting to move the lever into HL while moving (says you can do this in the owners handbook) when it jammed, I since have decided to play safe and stop completely before moving the lever into HL, LL or back.

I hope that this is what your fault is.

Cheers,
Mal58

thanks MAL for the diagnosis, I reckon thats what it is, I'll have a go at it myself this week, thankyou for the support...much apreciated.

MAL58, I owe you a beer, you were spot on, thanks again, spring now fixed and reseated.

thanks for all your help, I feel that we are on a winner here with MAL and Wizzard's replies, thanks again...maybe I can buy you a beer some day