Center Diff/ 4L indicators help

[zzstzz]

I am new to the site, so please go easy if these are dumb questions...

I have searched and searched through the forums, and found many answers, but I still have some trouble getting my center diff to lock.

I have a '94 FZJ80 with factory lockers. I can shift into 4L, and it is in 4L, but the center diff light does not come on the dash. I did the paper-clip test and I can get the light to come on. I don't hear any sounds coming from the locker trying to engage. When I check the 4L indicator, it looks as if it is plugged in (there are 2 wires entering?), but there is another white plug just hanging there. It looks alot like the CDL indicator plug. What is this? Where does it need to go?

From what I think I understand...When the truck is shifted into 4L, the 4L indicator tells the system to lock the center diff, which in-turn tells the CDL indicator to tell the system it is locked and it is ok to lock FF/RR? And because I don't hear any sound from the center diff trying to lock, can I assume it's the 4L indicator that is bad? And how do I remove them? I've read with a 27mm wrench, but do they thread out?

I also un-screwed a plug/sensor of some sort on the back of the t-case right below the 4L indicator, and now I have a small leak. What is this?

Sorry for any dumb questions or things that have been answered in other threads... I swear I looked real hard.

Thanks

 

[CJF]

You need to jack up either end of the truck and verify whether or not the center diff. is in fact locking.

Curtis

 

[Bearcat80]

Your Center Diff Sensor is probably sticking. It sits on the top of the T-Case on the passenger side. Unhook the wiring connector, and (memory here, gang correct if wrong) you can remove it with a crescent or open end wrench. Take it over to your work bench and push in the spring loaded ball bearing type gizmo many times. Put it back in and reconnect the wire loom. Start the truck, if no CDL light on dash, call Cdan buy new sensor(voodoo needle avoidance manuever). I beat on mine, problem solved. After you fix it, exercise it. Once a month at least. Find some gravel, lock it all in, lather, rinse, repeat.

 

[Grench]

Or, you might just need to change the lightbulb in the dash.

 

[Brentbba]

When you say 'it's in 4L' is that a seat of your pants feel the difference comment? If it really does go much slower like 4L, I'd replace the center diff sensor as stated earlier. If that's the sensor you've paper clip tested and the lights then appear on your dash then the sensor is on a very long break, needs to be fired and replaced with fresh meat. Quick call to the parts shaman will resolve this quickly. You won't be able to see if your rears or fronts lock w/o the truck 'knowing' it's center is locked, so don't get frustrated trying.

 

[zzstzz]

Yes, I'm sure it's in 4L. It goes much slower than 4H, higher rpm's at the same speeds, that sort of thing. I'm wondering about the 4L sensor because I don't hear the CDL motor at all when I shift to 4L. I'm going to rig up a CDL switch using my hazard switch to try and by-pass the 4L sensor to see if the locker motor runs (I hear this works?) And if this does work, is a 4L sensor even necessary if you have a CDL switch on the dash?

 

[CJF]

Before you do the above, would you PLEASE jack it up and VERIFY that that the CD isn't L'ed???

I'm not even sayin' it *is* locked, but c'mon!!

Good luck,

Curtis

 

[Brentbba]

It sounds like you are comfortable that it's in 4L. Sounds like a sensor to me. Easy to replace it.

 

[george_tlc]

Not to starve Cdan's dogs (I think they get more than enough to eat already...), if you think the CDL sensor/switch is not working, refer to:

http://www.george4wd.taskled.com/cdl.html

cheers,
george.

 

[CJF]

You guys are killin' me here...

 

[zzstzz]

You guys are killin' me here...

Before I do anything else, I will jack up one end and check...

 

[CJF]

Lol.

Keep us posted,

Curtis