2002 with Factory Rear Locking Diff??

[lhommec13]

I brought this up a year or two ago but never thoroughly followed up with it. Given the huge amounts of snow we've received in the Northeast and subsequent rough driving conditions, I'd like to get to the bottom of this once and for all.

I own a 2002 LC but I have a rear diff lock switch, as pictured. As long as I've owned the car (3 years), turning it "ON" does not engage a rear locker (I've tried numerous times and driven on gravel in Forward and Reverse with steering wheel at full lock). However, I've never investigated any further than this. Would it be possible that a blown fuse could cause a rear diff lock failure? Or another faulty electrical component that could cause it not to engage? What about any telltale distinctive feature that would indicate that I have a rear locker (or not)?

I'm pretty sure my 2002 does not have a rear locker (either factory or aftermarket), despite the switch being there. However, I can't explain for the life of me why the previous owner would have installed the switch without actually hooking it up. I guess I just want to know that there isnt one down there and that the switch is purely "cosmetic". Just seems weird to me

 

[Yukon LX]

sorry, off topic, but what does the switch with the blue light do.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Pull the panel and see if it's even hooked up to anything.

 

[neoworm]

Well if you had a factory locker there would be a motor hanging off the pumpkin. If it's an arb there must be a compressor somewhere. Or as mentioned pull the switch and see if it's hooked up. If you can't figure this out I seriously doubt you need a locker anyway. Slippery roads is the last place you want the rear locked up.

 

[Mxndrnks]

Look for a factory actuator on the rear diff or airlines going to it.if you see neither... then you will know why nothing happens.

 

[Gottagetone]

I wonder if someone installed lockers previously and removed the pump. Did you check to see if its a blown fuse?

 

[KlausVanWinkle]

Had planned on installing a locker and never got around to it. Wanted you to think there was a locker and therefore pay more money for it. The switch blank was lost so he replaced it with a much more expensive switch. Who knows. Sell the switch.

 

[lhommec13]

Pull the panel and see if it's even hooked up to anything.

Well if you had a factory locker there would be a motor hanging off the pumpkin. If it's an arb there must be a compressor somewhere. Or as mentioned pull the switch and see if it's hooked up. If you can't figure this out I seriously doubt you need a locker anyway. Slippery roads is the last place you want the rear locked up.

I'll check it out tomorrow to see if the switch is hooked up and if there's a motor hanging off the diff. Thanks for the advice, guys.

sorry, off topic, but what does the switch with the blue light do.

That switch is for the driving lights on the bully bar.

 

[02yotataco]

Diff lock

The vehicle must be in 4wheeldrive low for the diff lock to work

 

[lhommec13]

The vehicle must be in 4wheeldrive low for the diff lock to work

I don't think I ever tried that. Seeing as how I haven't gotten around to climbing under the truck for a look or to pull the panel for a look, this might be the easiest way to figure it out. Thanks for the info!

 

[Trunk Monkey]

You'd still get a blinky diff light.

 

[Layonnn]

The vehicle must be in 4wheeldrive low for the diff lock to work

Not if its an ARB.

 

[bluecruiser]

Maybe check the door sticker on the truck to see what year you have...maybe your diff lock is there and you got duped when you bought the truck about the year...just keeping all the options open.

 

[arbetrader]

Maybe check the door sticker on the truck to see what year you have...maybe your diff lock is there and you got duped when you bought the truck about the year...just keeping all the options open.

I think that only applies to 93-97 models... The K294 code anyway...

 

[Trunk Monkey]

I think blue is saying it's really a 98 or 99, not an '02.

 

[mgilvan]

I have 2 possibilities
1.Maybe the previous owner was going to install a rear diff lock , but he was doing it slowly and he/she just had enough time/money to install the switch and then sold the truck !!
2.He/she needed to replace the whole panel so they bought an 98/99 panel since they are same dimension and fitted in !!
Both case are rear but can happened

 

[spressomon]

The vehicle must be in 4wheeldrive low for the diff lock to work

mine doesn't care

 

[bluecruiser]

I think blue is saying it's really a 98 or 99, not an '02.

Yep, I'm saying check actual MY on door sticker...

 

[SanDiegoCruiser]

mine doesn't care

I've wondered how to enable the rear locker in 4 high. 7pin mod doesn't do it... What's the secret? Other than an ARB locker...

 

[spressomon]

^ More here: https://forum.ih8mud.com/100-series-cruisers/49181-rear-locker-mod.html

Don't ask me though...its been almost 8-years since I modded mine...I cleared that HDD long ago