E-Locker won't engage (ABS light turns on too)

Hey i just bought a 03 tacoma 4x4 5spd v6 trd and the elocker won't engage. I will put it in 4 low, press the diff locker button and the light with flash on the dash and the ABS light will also come on. Any suggestions on how to fix the problem? Thanks, Tyler

 

If it doesn't come on while stopped OR driving very slowly straight, turn the tires far left (or right, but not back and forth)... and roll a few feet. ABS OFF light is normal when locked. Locker light flashes when button pressed, and goes solid when rear is locked.





Images for 2005+ Tacoma Off Road 4WD

 

Hey, Welcome to Tacoma World!

Have you tried all the latest tricks (i.e. search the forum for this issue)? Basically pressing the button and hoping that it immediately engages is wishful thinking. Typically what most people have to do (even on new trucks it is/was this way for most) is press the button at a stop or at 1-2 MPH. Going forward and then into reverse very slowly will help it engage.

 

Welcome to TW.

Are you certain the diff is not locking? I ask because sometimes my light will flash even tho the diff lock is fully engaged. I kno this because of the way the truck behaves. In 4lo and locked, a slow, sharp turn on dirt will drag the inside tire just a bit and also make turning slightly more difficult compared to when the diff is unlocked.

If the elocker is not fully engaging, it may require a rebuild or replacement of the elocker mechanism. I have seen a few write-ups on TTORA and discussions of this on here. a quick google search of "elocker rebuild" turned up a number of links to Pirate4x4, ih8mud, yotatech and TTORA as well as a couple of very good videos.

Good luck man. Hope you figure it out.

 

I tried all of the above, but the light still flashes. How would i know if the locker was working if the light is still blinking?

 

One method

 

Another way to see if it's engaging it to take it off the housing and engage it while you can see the gears of the motor.

You have to be careful when re-installing the motor though. You must make sure to set the motor to disengage/off. Then make sure you pull the fork in the axle housing away from the center to the "unlocked" position.

I took mine apart when I was trying to figure out why mine got stuck in the locked position (Burnt wiring). Ever since I re-installed mine it has locked and unlocked smoother and faster than ever.

 

I had a 2001 Off Road first... and the locker worked the same on it as my 2005 and 2010...

The locker is not locked if the light is blinking.

The binding described above by Digiratis is (to me) normal 4WD Low feel and not a rear locker. 4WD binds because the front and rear differentials are locked and not the two rear tires... That would be a lot more difficult to turn on hard surfaces.

Again, re-try the steps I mentioned... the more you do it, the easier it will get:

If it doesn't come on while stopped OR driving very slowly straight, turn the tires far left (or right, but not back and forth)... and roll a few feet. ABS OFF light is normal when locked. Locker light flashes when button pressed, and goes solid when rear is locked.