Diff lockers will not engage...

[atijerino]

I tried to use the factory differential lockers on my '94 today and noticed that the indicator light blinks, but it does not engage either the front or rear lockers. I know this worked on the past since I tested this while test driving the truck before I bought it. I remember that when it worked it blinkled for a few seconds, then I heard a smal clicking sound coming form under the glove compartment (or that general area) and I could feel the locker working. Now the indicator lights both for front and rear blink forever.
Also another problem that I noticed is that when I engage the L for the center diff locker, the ABS ligth and the center diff light do not come up.
Could this be related and if so what i$ involved on getting thi$ fixed?

Thanks,


__________________

Antonio
'94 FZJ80 w/factory locker (if I can get them to work!)

 

[MoJ]

Antonio -
If you've lurked around the site enough you know they don't always work like clockwork, especially if they haven't been used much. Try shifting the transfer to L while you're in neutral and then put it in drive and pull forward a bit, maybe backing up as well. Sometimes it can be stubborn. Once you get the center to lock try the F&R. If they don't go immediately, pull forward a little, while on a loose surface drive in a slight arc. The lockers on my 94 took some exercising before they would engage. Even then, if I don't use them for a period they can be stubborn. Search the site and you'll find several descriptions of your problem.

HTH-
Jason

 

[Beowulf]

Atijerino,

We have several extensive posts on how the lockers work and how to test.

Basically, you have to engage Low range (on a stock US truck) which will automatically engage the lock for the center differential. It also turns on the ABS light when it locks. If the center diff lamp blinks that means it is not locked. F&R locks will not engage until the center thinks it is locked.

So your first problem is to find out why the center diff is not locking or is not indicating that it is locked. Again, there are several posts in the archives on fixing this problem. It could be a loose connetor, a corroded connector, a broken/shorted wire, or a defective switch. The latter is the most common.

-B-

 

[atijerino]

I knew this could a general class problem and was hoping there was thread about this issue. I am new to this forum and so far I have benefited greately from the expertise of the people on this list. I will look in the FAQ and do a search to see what can I find on this topic.
I will be taking my son to the annual Scout snow camp (Klondike for those into scouting) and wanted to make sure things worked well.
BTW: This weekend I did the front axle overhaul. What a messy job? I had to trow my working clothes away after I finished the job, must to used at least 3 rolls of blue shop towes and a whole box of disposable gloves.

Thanks again,

Antonio

__________________________
'94 FJZ80 w/factory lockers that hopefully will work when needed!

 

[stuck in GA]

Also when you are going backwards or fowards make sure you are turning your steering wheel side to side to engage them. Mine takes a little while so sometimes you just got to be patient.

 

[blupaddler]

Mine had a problem at first too.
Remember you need to be at point where traction is limited. If you are just driving down a parking lot, they will most likely just blinky-blinky. Try to get to a dirt lot somewhere, and drive or turn in a circle. As I am sure you know, you must be in 4L.

With 4L, if it hasn't been engaged in a while, just like the lockers. Try sitting in a dirt lot somewhere and just engage the 4L in and out repeatedly.

Good luck

 

[atijerino]

I did a search on the site and the consensus was that this is a common problem specially when the Low range and lcokers have not been used. I asked the prior owner and he never used the L range and he did not even know what the diff locker switch on the left side of the steering column did.
This morning when I came into work the parking lot was very icy and there were signs all over the place about icy conditions. I decided to give it a try, I put the truck in L range and did not do anything at first, then I found an open space and did a U-turn and inmedialtely the ABS light and the center diff indicator lights went on. I was thingking about getting under the truck this weekend and cleaning the CDL switch, but I guess I am off the hook. I tried the Front diff locker, but still blinks and does not engage, I am going up to dirt road place after work and execercise the center diff locker for a while and then try to get the front and rear to work.

Thanks for all the posts, they were very helpfull.

Antonio
________________
'94 FZJ80 w/lockers, it you exercise them, they will "work."

 

[Beowulf]

Antonio,

Once you have them broken in and use them weekly you will find they lock within 2 or 3 seconds most of the time. As you've read, you need to be on a low traction surface as the dog clutch on the rear is huge and sometimes requires a lot of rear wheel travel to engage. Turn in an arc.

-B-

 

[Brentbba]

I've tried to give mine a workout semi-regularly (every couple of months) since learning that like my aging body, excercise is a good thing. They still give me fits on occasion.

Have fun with your scouts! I'm taking mine up to Snow Valley this weekend for a ski/snowboard trip.

Doubt you'll need 4L for just snow.