Center diff not engaging (1 Viewer)

[Islandboy71]

Hey guys I recently picked up a GX470 with about 175k. I tried engaging the center diff but the light just keeps flashing. Any trick on getting it to engage?

 

[fourleggedfish]

Hey guys I recently picked up a GX470 with about 175k. I tried engaging the center diff but the light just keeps flashing. Any trick on getting it to engage?

This happened when I was test driving mine also. It would not engage when driving forward or backwards, or when stopped and in neutral. I finally got it to engage when rolling forward after I put it in neutral.
It was hard to get to engage for the first dozen times, but now that it’s been worked a bit it’s much more consistent.
Chances are these mall crawlers have never seen the center diff locked and they can freeze up.

 

[CarolinaGX]

just to be clear, you are shifting into 4L and then pushing the diff lock button and you are getting a flashing light?

 

[Islandboy71]

just to be clear, you are shifting into 4L and then pushing the diff lock button and you are getting a flashing light?

Yes that is correct

 

[CarolinaGX]

does it shift into 4L okay?

 

[Islandboy71]

does it shift into 4L okay?

Yes no problem there.

 

[fourleggedfish]

Yes no problem there.

The CDL can be engaged in 4hi also - no need to be in 4lo. This is the only way I can have any fun in the winter because of the annoying VSC (which turns off when CDL is engaged).

 

[CarolinaGX]

Interesting, I always used CDL in 4L only. I guess I dont ever need it otherwise.

OP: do you get the flashing light in 4H and 4L?

 

[Islandboy71]

Interesting, I always used CDL in 4L only. I guess I dont ever need it otherwise.

OP: do you get the flashing light in 4H and 4L?

Yep got it on both.

 

[captainva]

Just drive around slowly if it doesn't engage right away. It needs to get things lined up to make it happen sometimes. Like others said though. The more you use it the faster it will engage in the future

 

[Islandboy71]

Just drive around slowly if it doesn't engage right away. It needs to get things lined up to make it happen sometimes. Like others said though. The more you use it the faster it will engage in the future

Well.... decided to do some light off roading today and somehow my center diff lock engaged and is working!

 

[CarolinaGX]

That's great! I guess it just needed to see some dirt to get it going. Congrats

 

[MTNRig]

If you haven't checked already, it's worth a look underneath to see if your transfer case actuator is leaking. It's a common problem for the o-ring and seal on the actuators to fail and for them to fill up with diff oil. That was the issue with mine and it was causing the CDL to fail to engage. Removed, drained, cleaned, and replaced the seal and o-ring and now it engages and disengages like new.

 

[Islandboy71]

If you haven't checked already, it's worth a look underneath to see if your transfer case actuator is leaking. It's a common problem for the o-ring and seal on the actuators to fail and for them to fill up with diff oil. That was the issue with mine and it was causing the CDL to fail to engage. Removed, drained, cleaned, and replaced the seal and o-ring and now it engages and disengages like new.

Thank's for the tip. I will check it when I change my TC and diff fluids this weekend.

 

[darnold87]

If you haven't checked already, it's worth a look underneath to see if your transfer case actuator is leaking. It's a common problem for the o-ring and seal on the actuators to fail and for them to fill up with diff oil. That was the issue with mine and it was causing the CDL to fail to engage. Removed, drained, cleaned, and replaced the seal and o-ring and now it engages and disengages like new.

My actuator is a bit wet with oil. Does it come off easily to drain and reseal? My CDL is definitely locking and VSC is shutting off, but the CDL light continues to flash.

 

[captainva]

Do a search. Someone posted a DIY video on replacing the seal on here not too long ago