92 fj80 stalls on tight turns, lack of power

[Moxwell]

Hello, my 92 fj80 had been making a groaning noise when turning the wheels at low speeds, today as I was backing out of the drive I had my steering wheel tight to one side and the car just bogged down and did not want to move, I released a little on the wheel and it reluctantly started to move. As I put the car in drive I heard a clunking, loud clicking noise coming from the wheels but only on the initial slow speed coming out of turns (under 5 mph). I have read most of the Birf threads and none seem to describe what my car is doing.
I have noticed a lack of power or drain of it when making low speed turns, it seems to come from the axle.

i don't know if this is related or not, but the key lock has taken to not want to give me my key back, it is not until I wiggle the wheel and put the drive select from park to drive and back to park does it release the key. If it is the Birfs, anyone recommend the dealership, being in deep south texas my choices are very limited. Any and all recommendations and or ideas as to what is ailing my car are greatly appreciated.

 

[landtank]

sounds like your center diff is locked and you're experiencing drive line windup.

Place the transmission in Neutral

Jack 1 front tire off the ground and see if it turns.

If it doesn't turn than the issue is within the center diff.

 

[Moxwell]

thanks, I will try that this afternoon, my cdl switch has not worked since I bought this truck a little over a year ago. Will post my findings later today.

 

[Moxwell]

all along I had been under the impression that my cdl switch did not work, I had replaced the fuse that was there in the fuse box but did not bother to try it out, I guess my kid pushed the cdl by accident and seeing as i had forgotten all about that fuse I was thinking birfs.

Thanks for the heads up on the cdl. Is it supposed to light up to alert the drive that it is engaged or some other idiot light anywhere?

 

[landtank]

I'm not sure on the 92s but my 96 has a dash light. Maybe somebody robbed the CDL light for a blown "D" light.

 

[Cruiser Jimmy]

Moxwell,
The 92's have a light in the dash cluster that will illuminate a CDL icon when the CDL button is turned on.

Here's the location.

 

[Cruiser Jimmy]

One more thing,
damage might occur due to prolonged driving on pavement with the CDL engaged.

Althought I can't prove it, I suspect my PO drove my rig with this condition and as a result, I had to replace the birf's and wheel locks.

 

[landtank]

That light should illuminate when you first start the truck. If it doesn't suspect a bad bulb.

 

[Moxwell]

I don't seem to have the light in the dash cluster, probably burned out. I have probably driven the car with it on for about two weeks now, in fact did about 80 on the way home today from fishing port mansfield, can't believe how relieved I am that that was all it was. Two weeks ago I picked up the fuse to replace the one in the fuse box, took it for granted that it was something else as no light would turn on after it was replaced to signal the cdl was engaged and went about my biz. Lo and behold I now have the cdl working on account of that fuse I replaced and I was to worried thinking it was something like the birfs to consider it was the cdl. Thanks for the help. This site is awesome!!!! yes I am a dork.