some info on a 94 please (1 Viewer)

[loquito]

I looked at a 94 to replace my 91. I've read there is a differance between the CDL switch and its operation between these two rigs right? Thats why peaple make the seven pin mod, right?
My question is about engaging the center diff on the 94 and what dash lights come on. I am just trying to verify that the diff and dash lights are doing what they are ment to do when they are working properly.

On the 91 when you push in the CDL switch and pull the shifter into low, a diagram of the drivtrain showes up in red on the dash to let you know its on.

On the 94 when you push the switch in the same spot as the 91's but with a differant name (ECL ? )a little light comes on in the center of the guage pod saying ON or something like that. With the lever in low. And if I try to engage the switch and lever in low, with the trany in park a red AT/L or something like that showes up along the bottom of the insterment pod

Is she working right ? What is the differance between these two rigs in the way the trucks let you know the center diff is engageing properly
Thanks
S

 

[alaskacruiser]

Can't answer your question completely because I don't know much about the old FJ80s, but the "ECT" switch you refer to has nothing to do with the diff locks- it controls the tranny shift points. On the 93+ models, the center diff lock switch is not installed by default (it will only be there if the owner installed it after purchase- which is very unlikely). The center difflock switch on the '93+ is illustrated with 4 wheels and the drivetrain with a circle where the center diff would be, it is not labeled "ECT". When the center difflock is on, it will let you know with a dashlight on the 93+. If the AT light is coming on when you try to shift into low, it sounds like you may actually have shifted the transfer case into neutral. Just a guess on that one.

 

[loquito]

so the ECT switch, it controls trany shift points? what does it do to them and does the light in the lower middle of the console indicate it is working?

(the center difflock switch on the '93+ is illustrated with 4 wheels and the drivetrain with a circle where the center diff would be, it is not labeled "ECT". When the center difflock is on, it will let you know with a dashlight on the 93+. If the AT light is coming on when you try to shift into low, it sounds like you may actually have shifted the transfer case into neutral. Just a guess on that one.)

I understand from Slee's sight about the center diff lock switch being gone from the 94. But the little lighted 4 wheels and the drivetrain with the circle should appear on the dash just like the 91 if everything is working right? Or is there some other lighted indicator (Shapes/words) on the dash when the center diff is engaged on the 94? What does the dash indicator light look like for the center iff on the 94?

With the center diff lever in low and the tranny in park, when I push the ECT button I got an indicator light on the dash that was AT/L or something like that. What was that?

Is there someway I can verify the operation of the center diff engagement on a car lot if the indicator is bad?
S

Thinking about it the AT/l light came on I believe when I pushed the lever between low and neutral. What does AT/L stand for?

S

 

[alaskacruiser]

I believe "ECT" on the 93-94 models is the same as the "power" mode on the 95-97 models. It gives you a little more power by shifting at slightly higher RPMs. The light in the lower middle of the dash indicates if it is on or off.

The AT light comes on when the transfer case is put into neutral and the tranny is in Park to let you know that the parking pawl will not work in this mode (because the transfer case is in neutral)

The center diff light on the dash should turn on as you described when you shift into low range (assuming you don't have the center diff lock switch installed with the pin 7 mod in which case you could change that)

If the indicator is bad, you should be able to hear a motor whirring for a short time when the center diff lock engages. It is not always obvious so you'll need to open your windows and listen closely. I could hear this clearly on my old '93, but with my '97 I only hear the relay click but the center difflock light comes on so I know it is locked.

 

[loquito]

Thanks Alaska cruiser
I found the info on the ECT and if I am reading it right it is a power mode.
Makes sense what you say about the AT light.

(If the indicator is bad, you should be able to hear a motor whirring for a short time when the center diff lock engages. It is not always obvious so you'll need to open your windows and listen closely. I could hear this clearly on my old '93, but with my '97 I only hear the relay click but the center difflock light comes on so I know it is locked.)

I could hear a motor whirring for about a second when I dropped the lever into low. GOOD indication that the center diff is engaging ??

What does the dash board indicator light look like for the center diff lock on the 93-94?

Thanks for the quick replies, I did not figure anyone would be up. Going to look at this truck again and after todays test drive the center diff indicator seems to be the only problem.
If the whirring is an indication that the diff is engageing, then I have printed the fix for the indicator sensor I believe.
but back to the dash indicator is it differant then the 91, what does it look like, (the diagrm of the drivetrain, red illuminated ON, or what?)
S

 

[loquito]

Do you still have family up here Alaska Cruiser? Do you ever travel this far up north?
To me California was real hot.
S

 

[MoJ]

Thanks Alaska cruiser

What does the dash board indicator light look like for the center diff lock on the 93-94?


but back to the dash indicator is it differant then the 91, what does it look like, (the diagrm of the drivetrain, red illuminated ON, or what?)
S

The indicator light for the the CDL looks the same on both the 91 & 94. If the 94 has ABS, when you put the selector into LOW two things will happen --- The CDL indicator will light up (along with a slight electric motor sound) and the ABS light will turn on to indicate ABS is non-functional. Unless installed after purchase, the 94 will not have a button on the dash that says, "Center Differential Lock." Instead, on the 94, the CDL is activated only by putting the selector in LOW. Adding the switch will allow you to engage the CDL in HIGH. Doing the PIN 7 mod will allow you to disengage the CDL in LOW.

I too upgaded from a 91 to a 94.

I'm sure you know, but if you don't, the selectable front/rear lockers (if equiped) are controlled by a seperate knob to the left of the steering wheel and are also indicated on the instrument panel by small diagrams of the drivetrain.

 

[alaskacruiser]

Hi loquito,
Yup, my folks are still up in Fairbanks- they've been there for 35 years now! I usually visit them once or twice a year. They are now ready for some warmer weather so I'm trying to convince them to move to SoCal. The weather here is very hot for me in the summer, but since I live in the South Bay things are a bit cooler. I haven't gotten used to the heat yet, and I still laugh when I hear native Californians complaining about the weather when it is 60 degrees out. How long have you been in AK?

The motor whirring sound is a "good enough" indication the center difflock is working- also refer to MOJs post about ABS- the ABS light should also come on in low range (this will verify that you are in low range, not that the center diff is locked, I think)

MOJ covered the dsh indicator light.

Do you still have family up here Alaska Cruiser? Do you ever travel this far up north?
To me California was real hot.
S

 

[loquito]

MOJ and Alaskacruiser

Thanks that was just the information I was looking for. I do have the electric motor sound, and I would say that I had a differance between the feel of the truck while I was driving it in tight circles listening for clicks. Low gear felt even more tank like.

Unfortunently It does not have lockers but then on the other hand I crawled under it and it also doesn't have any leaks

Its to replace my wifes 91 and mainly for the snow and ice, not so much for off road. The kids already miss the 91 as none of their friends fit in the bronco after the five of us get in, also the bronco is just a rear wheel drive truck unless you lock in the front hubs.

(and I still laugh when I hear native Californians complaining about the weather when it is 60 degrees out.)
Alaskacruiser
I laugh when its foggy and in the 50's in San Fransisco and I would see ladies bundled from head to toe, wrapped in scarfs and wearing snow boots. Negative 20 is barely sweater weather here for me. When You say south bay do you mean vallejo, Oakland? I left for Alaska from San Jose 8 years ago, I spent the first 5 or so years living in a Yurt on the side of a lake ouside of Wasilla, I do miss home and envy your location, enjoy the warmth in winter

S