Center diff lock doesn't lock

[Aifer]

Hello all,
Finally i got myself LC 200, 2008.
While trying the features Ive notice that when pressing the diff lock (right of the steering wheel near the driver knee) the orange indication in the panel blinks but doesn't go steady.
Once getting it to blink another press do nothing. you need to shut off the car and restart (than it's off).
I've tried reverse, playing with the accelerator , nothing... keep blinking.

where should I start?
thanks,
Aifer.

 

[lx200inAR]

I'd start here.

Transfer Case Tuneup and Fix

Transfer case actuator issues are not uncommon on the 200-series. Not much documented solutions other than exercising the mechanisms regularly. Here's my attempt to provide more information on where and what the actuator is, how to service the transfer case actuator motor, and potentially...

forum.ih8mud.com

First thing you should do is drive around a bit to get the center differential warm. Then try it again. If that works, I'd lock and unlock it 10-15 more times. The actuator gets gummed up when it doesn't get used much. The above post is for full rehab. If you do get it working, make sure you lock and unlock once a month in the future.

 

[drmwvr]

I'd start here.

Transfer Case Tuneup and Fix

Transfer case actuator issues are not uncommon on the 200-series. Not much documented solutions other than exercising the mechanisms regularly. Here's my attempt to provide more information on where and what the actuator is, how to service the transfer case actuator motor, and potentially...

forum.ih8mud.com

First thing you should do is drive around a bit to get the center differential warm. Then try it again. If that works, I'd lock and unlock it 10-15 more times. The actuator gets gummed up when it doesn't get used much. The above post is for full rehab. If you do get it working, make sure you lock and unlock once a month in the future.

OP- How old is your battery? I had this issue intermittently with my ‘10. At the same time, I had starting issues and changed my battery. Ended up needing a new starter but my CDL light has not come on since. Perhaps it’s a coincidence but others have mentioned an old battery as a possible cause.

 

[Aifer]

I'd start here.

Transfer Case Tuneup and Fix

Transfer case actuator issues are not uncommon on the 200-series. Not much documented solutions other than exercising the mechanisms regularly. Here's my attempt to provide more information on where and what the actuator is, how to service the transfer case actuator motor, and potentially...

forum.ih8mud.com

First thing you should do is drive around a bit to get the center differential warm. Then try it again. If that works, I'd lock and unlock it 10-15 more times. The actuator gets gummed up when it doesn't get used much. The above post is for full rehab. If you do get it working, make sure you lock and unlock once a month in the future.

many thanks.
I played with the system and notice that in 4Lo it locks the center diff every time. In 4Hi it keeps blinking,
Would that tell us that the motor is OK and something in the electricity goes wrong? or there is a mechanical issue in the diff which makes the rod to operate only in 4Lo?

(apology, as a Jeep guy I'm used to use a transfer shifter ...)

 

[CharlieS]

CDL and hi/lo are different actuators. Lots of them get sticky from lack of use. If your's was originally a grocery getter, soccer van, or mall cruiser, the odds that the CDL was ever locked are low, and the odds that it was put in 4lo are about the same. If everything else (like the battery as mentioned above) is in good shape, I'd just find an empty lot and mess around with them. Shifting from 4hi to lo and back only works in neutral. CDL should work at any speed (but I think the recommendation is not over 50 mph). Once they are working, use them periodically and you should be good.

 

[lx200inAR]

many thanks.
I played with the system and notice that in 4Lo it locks the center diff every time. In 4Hi it keeps blinking,
Would that tell us that the motor is OK and something in the electricity goes wrong? or there is a mechanical issue in the diff which makes the rod to operate only in 4Lo?

(apology, as a Jeep guy I'm used to use a transfer shifter ...)

I assume you are saying that the CDL works when in 4L, but not in 4H. I've not heard of it only working in 4L. But I've not heard of a lot of things. If it is working in 4L, I'd try actuating it a bunch of times and then try 4Hi again. Might try activating the CDL while moving slowly in 4Hi, in both forward and reverse. I believe the manual says you can activate the CDL up to 50mph. I'm suggesting more like parking lot speeds.

 

[Leaky2014]

Dude, don't be trying to drive around in 4hi with your center diff locked, no reason to.

 

[Aifer]

Dude, don't be trying to drive around in 4hi with your center diff locked, no reason to.

why not in Mud or Sand fast driving?

 

[liv2bike]

Dude, don't be trying to drive around in 4hi with your center diff locked, no reason to.

Hey man. Interesting comment. So please explain. I lock up when I'm in slippery situations (ie trying to get to my house in winter in Idaho). Steep hills and steeper driveway covered in snow and slush. Our owners manual specifically states use in these (slippery) situations below 62 mph.

Per my owners manual:

Lock the center differential when your vehicle’s wheels get stuck in a ditch or when driving on a slippery or bumpy surface.

To prevent damage to the center differential
●For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads, unlock the center differential.

 

[Aifer]

I assume you are saying that the CDL works when in 4L, but not in 4H. I've not heard of it only working in 4L. But I've not heard of a lot of things. If it is working in 4L, I'd try actuating it a bunch of times and then try 4Hi again. Might try activating the CDL while moving slowly in 4Hi, in both forward and reverse. I believe the manual says you can activate the CDL up to 50mph. I'm suggesting more like parking lot speeds.

Thanks.
Problems solved!
Activated the CDL in 4L. Locked, Switched to 4H, stayed locked!
Turned in off in 4H, disconnected!
Locked it in 4H, locked.
Recycle it for several times, seems to operate normally.
Thanks guys

 

[1world1love]

It's the unwritten rule for 200s - use it or lose it!

 

[bloc]

Hey man. Interesting comment. So please explain. I lock up when I'm in slippery situations (ie trying to get to my house in winter in Idaho). Steep hills and steeper driveway covered in snow and slush. Our owners manual specifically states use in these (slippery) situations below 62 mph.

Per my owners manual:

Lock the center differential when your vehicle’s wheels get stuck in a ditch or when driving on a slippery or bumpy surface.

To prevent damage to the center differential
●For normal driving on dry and hard surface roads, unlock the center differential.

You may find that your traction may be better with the CDL disengaged and the AWD allowed to do its thing. Our limited slip center diff is meant to be the best of both worlds.. make sure power goes to both axles instead of just the one with wheel speed that may be slipping, while also allowing the differential to account for differences in axle speed between front and rear when taking turns. In that way it can really help with traction, not hurt.

And, with it unlocked your stability control is still functioning.

Now if the hills get very steep you may lose some traction on the lighter axle, but the traction control would kick in and let you know CDL could be a benefit.

But don’t take my word for it.. try driving on low traction surfaces with it unlocked and see if you like how it handles. I definitely prefer it, personally.