power assist steering and diff lock

[golfrat]

Hi guys,
I have a 1996 LC. I am asking about 2 problems the car has been having recently.

I don’t drive the car very much, about six or 700 miles per year. Two years ago upon cold start up something to do with the steering is whining and growling until the car warms up. I know it’s the steering or some part of the steering because it only growls and whines when you turn the wheel and the wheel is hard to turn until it warms up. Any idea what this might be?

Secondly, the differential lock light on the dashboard does not light up when I put the right hand stick shift into low. I’m not sure if the dashboard light is malfunctioning or if the car is indeed not going into differential lock. Any ideas on how I could determine which of the two it is? Thank you.

 

[Malleus]

First problem: your reservoir is low on power steering fluid. You also have a leak, somewhere. It'll be obvious; look down the driver's side of the radiator, next to the battery box.

Second problem: the switch connection on top of the transfer case is likely in need of love, or the switch itself is bad. Crawl under the truck, spray the connector housing end of the pigtail with plastic safe electronic cleaner (I like CRC QD) and then pry it apart. Do the same for the internal sides of both connector housings and recouple them. Try the cabin switch again and if that doesn't solve your problem, and you know for sure it's engaged, you need a new switch.

FWIW, you'll know if it's engaged or not by driving it a few feet. If it's engaged, you'll know it.

 

[golfrat]

Thank you, I will do both!

 

[golfrat]

First problem: your reservoir is low on power steering fluid. You also have a leak, somewhere. It'll be obvious; look down the driver's side of the radiator, next to the battery box.

Second problem: the switch connection on top of the transfer case is likely in need of love, or the switch itself is bad. Crawl under the truck, spray the connector housing end of the pigtail with plastic safe electronic cleaner (I like CRC QD) and then pry it apart. Do the same for the internal sides of both connector housings and recouple them. Try the cabin switch again and if that doesn't solve your problem, and you know for sure it's engaged, you need a new switch.

FWIW, you'll know if it's engaged or not by driving it a few feet. If it's engaged, you'll know it.

Thanks again. I think the lid on the fluid cannister might be the source of the leak, as the cannister had grunge on it, and the line leading away from the canister and running down pest the battery box, you described was also covered in grunge.
I cleaned it all up as much as I could, and we’ll see what happens after driving it some more. I just cannot tell if the power steering fluid is low. That little short dipstick says it’s OK when I check it cold. If I try to check it when it’s hot ( car running) power steering fluid comes out and goes over the top of the canister, which I thought was very strange.

I’ve attached a picture of the connector, which I believe is the one you were describing from your reply above it looks to me like it attaches to the transfer case just before the driveshaft is that the correct one?

thanks again for your help, Kevin

 

[Malleus]

Don't remove the cap when the engine is running.

 

[Malleus]

Thanks again. I think the lid on the fluid cannister might be the source of the leak, as the cannister had grunge on it, and the line leading away from the canister and running down pest the battery box, you described was also covered in grunge.
I cleaned it all up as much as I could, and we’ll see what happens after driving it some more. I just cannot tell if the power steering fluid is low. That little short dipstick says it’s OK when I check it cold. If I try to check it when it’s hot ( car running) power steering fluid comes out and goes over the top of the canister, which I thought was very strange.

I’ve attached a picture of the connector, which I believe is the one you were describing from your reply above it looks to me like it attaches to the transfer case just before the driveshaft is that the correct one?
View attachment 4124768
thanks again for your help, Kevin

No, that's the speedometer cable. The one you want is on the top.

 

[jonheld]