question regarding rear diff lock

looking for some insight re: quick question. i have a 2009 tacoma access cab (automatic). when i engage the diff lock (...neutral...4L...depress diff lock button) the diff lock icon shows up on the instrument panel but continues to flash. does this mean it is not fully engaged? is it only supposed to flash? I'm only testing it on asphalt so i have full traction with all 4 wheels. do rear tire/s have to slip first to fully engage? manual is not so helpful.

thanks.

 

I don't have a locker but i would suggest you not put it in 4wd or engage the locker on pavement. Get on some dirt, mud or gravel if you want to play with these. My guess is if it's flashing it's not engaged (that's how it is with 4wd hi or low on mine). Sometimes if you move the truck forward a little and try again it will engage.

 

Yeah I pushed my diff lock button by mistake once in 2wd and was freaking out all the way home I never saw it flash before. So OP yes it's not in gauging when it's flashing. The little card on your sun visor is your friend.

 

thanks for the replies guys. after researching the forum a bit more and trying my rear diff lock option again i got it to engage. seems i wasn't being abrupt enough with the steering wheel. once i started to really manhandle the wheel the rear diff lock engaged. repeated same a couple a times and it engaged each time.

and yeah i'm not too comfortable engaging 4L, Atrac and locking diffs on pavement (even just to test engagement) and will try not to do that again.

manual said something about engaging 4x4 1x/ mos for at least 15 kms for lubrication purposes. sounds like a good recommendation. do people hear do that?