Lockers - HELP!?!

[Gauge]

This seems to be a rather consistent problem with my 97 LC. My front locker locks even faster than the rear locker does, but once it's locked, I can't seem to get it unlocked. I've tried everything from moving the steering wheel to driving forward/reverse. Is there some trick I'm missing? After 30 minutes of playing with the f@#&ing switch and trying every possible configuration, it finally unlocked. I don't know if anyone has tried, but driving on anything other than a slippery surface with a locked front axle is impossible. I don't want to have "Axle Anxiety" next time I go to use it, but if it gets stuck again I have no choice but to call for a rollback to take me home.

What actually causes the lockers to "unlock"? I know they are not air powered, so is there a solenoid that pulls back the locking mechanism that maybe isn't getting power?

 

[RavenTai]

give this Slee article a read, you may need to rebuild your actuator


Fixing a sticky electric diff lock actuator

 

[e9999]

bah, sell it to somebody on the forum and get an unlocked one...
E

 

[ParadiseCruiser]

Bruiser -

Before you start trying to fix something that may not be broke...

Not certain from your comments if you do it this way, but there is a fundamental about getting the lockers to engage and disengage: Always on a gravel or dirt surface, drive slow (less than 5mph) in a slight arc (circle, whatever), but not straight when you are locking or unlocking. The locking mechanism relies upon the wheels turning at a slightly different radius to engage/disengage, which will never occur if you are going in a straight line.

Cheers, R -