Newbie..just bought a '98 and need some help with center diff (1 Viewer)

[PhillyLumpLump]

Ok so I have spent about 3 or 4 days scouring this site as well as the internet to no avail.

Purchased a 98 with 160k mi. Runs great but center diff is locked and light is illuminated. Definitely locked btw...wheel chirp on hard turns.

I have not dropped the trans and diff to access the actuator but tested the button and it is supplying voltage, I also hear the relay poping in the glove box. Couldnt get a read on the pins on the diff.

My question is this possible the actuator failed in the locked position? Or is this a ecu issue?

Also my rear diff lock doesn't stop blinking when engaged but I am sure it is engaging.

Sorry I am sure I will get chewed up by some you guys that will point me to a old thread but I've searched and all issues are similar but not the same

 

[TXSunDevil]

Have you tried shifting in and out of 4h-4l and going forward and backward? Is the light blinking at all?

 

[PhillyLumpLump]

Have you tried shifting in and out of 4h-4l and going forward and backward? Is the light blinking at all?

I've tried it all. It has never blinked just constant on. I'm stuck so far. Gonna have to drop it and pull the actuator but want to make sure it's not electrical.

Any idea on the pin diagram?

 

[FJ404345]

Welcome and Congrats with the 100 !

Pics or it didn't happen

 

[PhillyLumpLump]

It happened

View attachment 20170522_182052.jpg

 

[FJ404345]

 

[landylover21]

In regards to the rear differential lock, in my 98 I had to drive around in circles in my mom's field and trails on her property in low range with the switch in the locked position before it finally engaged and the light stopped blinking. This was about five years ago and 13 years of non-use.

It may take awhile as the actuators like to freeze when not used, which is why I cycle my differential locks, transfer case, etc. every once in awhile.

 

[PhillyLumpLump]

Ok well so far I've pulled the actuator on the center diff and it was a bit frozen so worked it with 12v Md it is now moving freely. About to test installed and hope to get it unlocked

 

[PhillyLumpLump]

Thanks for the info on the rear.

I was able to unlock it by appling 12v to the motor. The motor is really finicky and works intermittently so it leads me to lean to the motor is bad. I of course didn't want to test if it will lock again then I wouldn't be able to drive her home.

Anyway my first drive with it unlocked blew me away...she pulls hard and handles excellently. It started raining hard so it was slick and she gripped even with s*** tires on. Really excited!

Any good sources for a cheap CD actuator?I talked to a guy about an hour away who has a 94 which I think is compatible bit hate to waste 2 hours of driving to find out it's not. Any info?

 

[PhillyLumpLump]

In regards to the rear differential lock, in my 98 I had to drive around in circles in my mom's field and trails on her property in low range

While I the car was on the lift I engaged it and it moored into position so it is locking but the light is still flashing. Maybe there's a sensor that is not indicating OR like you said it needs to be driven around until it hits that sweet spot