Locking Diff. are they working? (1 Viewer)

[In2cruisers]

I am new to the 80 series... Have had 8 fj60s, 3 fj62s and 2 fj40s I might have forgotten one. Anyway I purchased a 1994 last summer It does not have a center switch that I have read about here, But does have the diff. switch but when I shift to low and turn the switch the dash lights keep blinking. From reading the owners manual they should not. But my question is....Might it be a faulty relay or.....How can I tell if its working even if the lights say not. And is there any special sequence?


Thanks for the info

 

[cruiserdan]

Don't like the blue font, too hard for my old eyes....


Are you sitting still when you flip the switch? If so the lights will blink 'til the cows come home. The diffs have dog clutches and in order for the clutches to line up some differential movement must happen. When the vehicle is stationary nothing will happen unless you are lucky enough for the clutches to be lined up. flip the switch and slowly traverse the vehicle in an arc (less than 5 MPH). The diffs should lock up fairly quickly, the front quicker than the rear. Do please perform this test on a loose surface such as gravel or dirt, not pavement.

 

[Harridig]

Yes, In2cruisers, this is what happens when you are first learning how to lock up. Didn't ever get them to lock up following the instructions in the owners manual, I had to refer to the forum. Now I can get them to lock up almost instantly. The more you lock up, the quicker they engage!

Have fun testing the lockers!

D

 

[MoJ]

First few time I locked mine it took several attempts. Backing up a few inches sometimes helps as well. Get them good and exercised and they'll lock easier. Also - FYI - it won't have the CDL switch unless someone has added it.

Edit - also you might search as there's a ton of info out there.

 

[e9999]

So, it could be that you're standing still, or that the actuators are suffering for lack of exercise, but could also be that the CDL is not engaging for some real reason, in which case the FDL and RDL won't either in a stock rig.
E

 

[MTNRAT]

Try this sequence. Go to a loose surface area. Put the transfer case into low. This will engage the centre diff lock. On the dash a yellow ABS and diff lock light should appear. Your centre diff is now locked. Turn your front and rear diff lock dial all the way to the right. You should have two icons flashing red. One for the rear diff lock, one for the front diff lock. Now drive slowly forward in an arc, on a loose surface. The diff locks should engage and the red lights should stop flashing and stay on. It may take a while. When the front diff locks engage the steering will get really stiff. Now if this works, disengage and engage the diff locks about a billion times. They need exercise to work quickly and easily. Tell us how is goes.
Cheers,
Sean

 

[stayalert]

jumpin' johassafrat! what the heck did you do with all of the cruisers?

 

[In2cruisers]

All those cruisers

I move up to the Pacific North West from San Diego and needed a hobby. Being a surfer and windsurfer down in SoCal the really is neither of either here in the winter. I found that sitting around snacking and watching it rain can drive one crazy, lead close to divorce and make you down right FAT. So, it was either cruisers or old broncos and I liked Cruisers better. My best bud out of high school had a 40 it went every where Mex., surf trips and if you cant kill a rig at that age then they cant be killed. So.......and all those were in 3.5 yrs. Still have three, and I see my last one we parted with on this forum, a 1990 FJ62....I see here all the time, by the handle "SourceMine"