Center Diff Lock - Light twitching

[GremlinMobile]

Continuing to explore the seemingly never ending maintenance list on my recently acquired 2003 LX with 263,000 miles. I pressed the diff lock button yesterday and the light came on immediately on the dash, but it was twitching, meaning it was going dim and bright intermittently until it settled down to be normally illuminated. With that, I did not hear any clunking that I would expect to hear when the lock is engaged. Also, I recall on my previous land cruiser, when I hit the CDL button, it would either flash or not turn on at all until I maybe drove forward or in reverse a little for it to kick in.

I've read through the threads here and it seems what's common is that the light doesn't come on at all. In my case it comes on glitchingly but instantly and without any accompanying clunks. Where should I look to diagnose this? I hate to start buying parts to start replacing them without knowing what's wrong.

 

[Bisho]

Continuing to explore the seemingly never ending maintenance list on my recently acquired 2003 LX with 263,000 miles. I pressed the diff lock button yesterday and the light came on immediately on the dash, but it was twitching, meaning it was going dim and bright intermittently until it settled down to be normally illuminated. With that, I did not hear any clunking that I would expect to hear when the lock is engaged. Also, I recall on my previous land cruiser, when I hit the CDL button, it would either flash or not turn on at all until I maybe drove forward or in reverse a little for it to kick in.

I've read through the threads here and it seems what's common is that the light doesn't come on at all. In my case it comes on glitchingly but instantly and without any accompanying clunks. Where should I look to diagnose this? I hate to start buying parts to start replacing them without knowing what's wrong.

The light is activated by a switch on the transfer case that senses the lock sliding in place. Sounds like it’s working to me.

Both of my trucks lock almost immediately. My LX initially was difficult and took a while to lock and I needed to backup to unlock. It was a pavement princes and probably never got used. Clean oil and regular activation has it working as it should, now.

 

[GremlinMobile]

The light is activated by a switch on the transfer case that senses the lock sliding in place. Sounds like it’s working to me.

Both of my trucks lock almost immediately. My LX initially was difficult and took a while to lock and I needed to backup to unlock. It was a pavement princes and probably never got used. Clean oil and regular activation has it working as it should, now.

The fact that I don't hear the clunk of it engaging, and the twitching light tells me it's not locking. Twitching light tells me there is resistance somewhere and the full voltage isn't getting to the bulb. Is there and maintenance and cleaning I can do? Change the center diff oil or something?

 

[Bisho]

The fact that I don't hear the clunk of it engaging, and the twitching light tells me it's not locking. Twitching light tells me there is resistance somewhere and the full voltage isn't getting to the bulb. Is there and maintenance and cleaning I can do? Change the center diff oil or something?

You may not hear a clunk. Changing the oil to a good synthetic and regularly engaging it may make it smoother and more positive.

 

[Trunk Monkey]

Don't know what sound you're looking for, mine is just a click of the solenoid. Regular operation is flashing once you press the button until it locks, then it goes solid. I'd work it with more since it's new to you, may not have ever been used. Get on some loose surface and just engage/disengage it while turning wide 8's.

 

[Ayune]

1. If the CDL light is illuminating at all, the locker is engaged. Flickering is a sign of a dirty/old switch whose only function is to illuminate the dash light (at least on earlier years… is it different on a 2003?).

2. The CDL actuator is quiet but you can hear it if you press the switch while the engine is off and the drivers side window is rolled down.

 

[GremlinMobile]

1. If the CDL light is illuminating at all, the locker is engaged. Flickering is a sign of a dirty/old switch whose only function is to illuminate the dash light (at least on earlier years… is it different on a 2003?).

2. The CDL actuator is quiet but you can hear it if you press the switch while the engine is off and the drivers side window is rolled down.

Interesting, so it'll lock even if the engine isn't on, (obviously key on or "ACC" mode)?

Are you sure that if the light is on then it's locked? I hope you're right. For all I know, the whole thing is in 2wd mode this whole time..

 

[Trunk Monkey]

You don't have "2wd mode", your truck is full time 4wd. Time to open up that owner's manual and give it a read.

 

[take123]

Mine had no CDL light at all but it was engaging.

A way to test if it is really engaging is take it to a parking lot, and do a sharp turn. Does the rear drag? If so yes its engaged.

Mine is sticky, needs go back and forth and then itll lock or unlock. It was likely never used by PO.



I would replace the CDL switch it is under $20 on Amazon and you need a large wrench to install it, it is in a hard to reach place and caution the HOT cats, install it when the car is cold.

Then change the center transfer case oil with fresh 75W-90. After changing it go for a drive, use the H N L, engage CDL and move forward and backwards and cycle through stuff to lube it up with clean oil.