4x4 Light Flashing

So there has been some events that has lead up to this point. About a month ago, I started to drive my 4runner around and I noticed that the 4Hi light would flicker (Not blink). I kept going and eventually the Diff light started flicker as well. I would hear a clicking noise anytime these lights would flicker. Tried the zero point calibration and it went away for a couple days, but it would being flickering again, but not as frequent as before. Couple days ago, it snowed a couple inches and decided to throw it into 4Hi and go sledding. It would engage and at this point, the lights would flicker, but I am engaged into 4Hi and have the ability to switch back in 2Hi. Today, I was driving and the flicker was going crazy, but it eventually stopped and now, the 4Hi light is just blinking constantly. Have done a little research and everyone is claiming that the transfer case actuator is the culprit. Those actuators are pretty expansive, so I would like to try everything I can before going out and replacing it. Any theories of what culd be going on?

 

Do you have an OBD code reader to see if the ECU is popping any trouble codes? Decent place to start before running to replace things.

 

Bought one & returned it, but the codes that got out of it was only “C0200” (Front speed sensor) and “C1 223” (ABS Control System Malfunction).

Ended up replacing the ABS and the check engine light turned off. But still have the flashing light issue

 

Unless youre actively sitting there switching between 4Hi and diff lock for the thrill of it... Flickering lights with no other external input sounds strictly electrical to me. Like you have a bad connection at one of the plugs, something has shorted, that sort of thing. Have you been underneath to look at the actuator? There should be a plug on it.
If it isnt something obvious when you start looking around then frankly there are a lot of possible options for issues. It could be as simple as a loose wire connection at the light behind the dash or as bad as an internal issue with the transfer case actuator or trans case itself or ECU...

Do you have a multimeter? It could help with determining if its just a wiring issue by whether you have continuity everywhere you should.

 

Flashing would have me looking around the front axle disconnect solenoid. But flickering, I agree with @iamincrediboy. Sounds like an intermittent electrical connection.

 

I haven't looked underneath yet. Flickering has stopped and now is only blinking. Hopefully, it is a small electrical issue. Will keep y'all posted! Thank you.

 

Went underneath and looked at the actuator. As you said, I went straight to the electrics and didn't see any tear in any of the wiring, but I did notice that there was a tube just out and about. It's the vacuum tube that disconnected from the T-Case. I'm not too sure what the tube actually does, but just wanted to update on my situation.