CDL Light

[NicB]

Hi guys,

Quick question: when turning the key to the on position, should the center differential lock light come on and then go off?

I can't tell if my CDL is working. It does not light up when pushed and although I can hear the relay click in the glovebox, I don't think I'm hearing anything under the car.

Thoughts?

 

[blatant]

advise what you learn for all of us please.

 

[NicB]

Update: I switched the button on/off several times while pulling forward slowly each time. I also shifted into 4lo and 4hi several times. I got the lights to come on and CDL to engage once, but when I took turned it back off I couldn't get it back. Makes me think the previous owner never actuated the assembly. I guess I'll keep trying, but the lights obviously work when the unit engages.

 

[TTO5]

Sometimes you have to move the vehicle a little to get the unit to engage or disengage. Just let it idle forward. You don't want to be on the throttle when it locks or unlocks to prevent shocking the drivetrain.

 

[NicB]

I got it to engage one more time last night doing exactly as you mention. I was in 4lo. Turned it off, but wouldn't come bcak on again. I'm thinking maybe the actuator is bad from lack of use. Any thoughts on what to try next?

 

[Sligex]

I may be wrong, but if I recall correctly on my '05 the CDL light flashes until the CDL actually engages, at which point it becomes solid.

 

[SmoothLC]

@NicB Put your model year, model, and mods in your sig line. It may help others diagnose problems with your vehicle.

I've never had any problems with the CDL in my '99, just the rear e-locker.

When the CDL button is pushed on the center console, I typically don't hear anything but can usually tell when it is engaged/unengaged.

The rear e-locker - at least when it failed - the light would flash, but never engage until I got it repaired.

 

[NicB]

My vehicle is a 2002 LC. No mods other than some mobile electronics the previous owner put in that I have taken out.

 

[Wilsil]

I have a similar issue still.
It was all working, untill now. When pushing the CDL button, the light doesn't come on.
Also normally when engaging Low gear, VCS off and another light would come on. That doesn't happen anymore.

 

[Hayes]

You CAN be moving and you CAN be on the throttle and you CAN be on pavement when you engage or disengage the center diff lock. I do it all the time on slickrock. The drivetrain is not weak.

 

[NicB]

Well after actuating the center diff lock ~35-50x in both 4Lo and 4Hi, it seems to be working better. I think no one had used it in so long it probably was stiff. Seemed to be engaging consistently after actuating it a bunch. I'm thinking it's best used in 4Lo, there seemed to be a harder engagement / disengagement (i.e., clunking) in 4hi although not every time. Those splines must have to be lined up just right.

I never saw the indicator lights "blink" to tell me it was engaging, and there were a couple times it didn't want to disengage. Gentle turns of the wheel and slow forward or reverse movement solved the problem.

I'll continue to actuate the mechanism over the next week to make sure it works. I wonder though if there is a way to lubrucate the components?

Thoughts?

Ps, I hope this helps someone, I was concerned my CDL wasn't working but after actuating it a lot, it definitely was.

 

[Hayes]

It shares gear lube with the transfer. Try a fluid change there.