99 rear diff. lock will not engage

[Brian/99uzj100]

I own an 99 FZJ100 with center & rear diff locks and the rear locker does'nt engage.I put the transfer case in Low and turn the dial for the rear locker and the dash light just blinks but never goes solid (rear locker engaged). I drive back and forth like the owners manual suggests but the light never goes solid. It's been over a year since I used the rear locker so I'm thinking something is stuck or frozen. Any suggestions or advice would be great! GREAT FORUM!

 

[hank14]

Hey Brian, my rear locker has been trying to do the same thing, only the dash light blinks continually, but the rear would eventually lock. Two weeks ago in the snow, the rear finally locked and the dash light stayed on solid. I have not tried to mess it to figure out why.

 

[mabrodis]

I would suggest instead of driving back and forth, drive slowly (walking speed or slower) and turn from side to side. To get the locker to engage the gears have to mesh, if they aren't meshing while the vehicle is driving forward, then turning to one side will help, as one tire goes faster than the other then and let the gears have another chance at meshing.

Good Luck...

 

[Jukelemon]

Brian:

Just a suggestion. Do not try to activate the rear locker at the same time you go into 4 low. Go into 4 low and then drive a little. Stop and then activate the rear and then drive a little. I have had mine get confused (for lack of better words) and do the same thing.

As well, check your fuse box to see if the rear locker fuse is OK. I am not sure how the Rear Locker dash light is affected by a blown fuse but that could be the case as well.

 

[hank14]

Should this be done (engaging 4 Lo and the rear locker) on a regular basis, say monthly, to keep everything working? I have read the electronic lockers on the 80 series can rust or freeze up. Is the 100 series the same unit? Any ideas?

 

[mabrodis]

Should this be done (engaging 4 Lo and the rear locker) on a regular basis, say monthly, to keep everything working? I have read the electronic lockers on the 80 series can rust or freeze up. Is the 100 series the same unit? Any ideas?

I think it should be done daily!

There is definetly a chance of the inner parts gunking up (although with good syn gear oil, that shouldn't be an issue). I don't think there is much that would rust, maybe part of the actuator motor, but I don't think that's a big problem.

 

[hank14]

I like the daily requirement best.

 

[Jukelemon]

Careful with that rear locker in the snow.

 

[hank14]

Careful with that rear locker in the snow.

Yeah- I used mine to drive way up a trail before I got stuck. 18" of packed ice and snow is hard to shovel. I had to use my Black Rat hand winch to turn around.