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How to engage rear locking differential?

Discussion in '2nd Gen. Tacomas (2005-2015)' started by 2beard, Feb 12, 2008.

  1. Feb 12, 2008 at 5:37 PM
    #1
    2beard

    2beard [OP] New Member

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    I just purchased an 07 Tacoma, 4x4 TRD etc...it has the rear differential locking option. I can not get the rear differential lock to engage. I tried switching to 4 Lo, then switching, tried 4 Lo, moved forward, stopped, put in neutral, then diff lock, etc...no matter what I try, the diff lock indicator light flashes.

    What am I doing wrong?
     
  2. Feb 13, 2008 at 7:34 AM
    #2
    nd

    nd Radical Town. It's a hell of a place!

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    No idea. so you have come to a complete stop, put the truck in neutral, switched to 4lo, pressed the locker button, put the truck back into drive, and driven a few feet all in that order and nothing has happened? all i know is you have to be in 4 lo to engage the locker, and you have to do it in neutral then put it back into drive. if you have done all that in the correct order and it deosnt lock then it looks like its back to the dealer
     
  3. Feb 13, 2008 at 7:43 AM
    #3
    mjp2

    mjp2 Living vicariously through myself Moderator

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    4Lo, hit the switch, and then rock with the locker light flashing till it grabs.

    If that doesn't work, try it with the steering wheel turned slightly when you rock the truck. That'll shift the gears in the differential and might do the trick.
     
  4. Feb 13, 2008 at 7:45 AM
    #4
    2beard

    2beard [OP] New Member

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    thanks for the quick replies...did all of that...looks like it is warranty work.
     
  5. Feb 13, 2008 at 8:15 AM
    #5
    maverick491

    maverick491 Towing Guru

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    As you roll forward, like MJP2 said you need to turn the wheels slightly, this will allow the locker to engage, as the pins and such may not be alligned correctly and will not do so untill you make enough of a turn that the inside and outside wheels have moved a different distance. It should not take much, and in practice, it wouldn't be an issue, Like if you were stuck in the mud, it is likely that one wheel would be turning and the other bogged down as without the locker engaged it is an open diff, but testing on pavement it will require a slight turn while moving.
     
  6. Feb 13, 2008 at 8:23 AM
    #6
    2beard

    2beard [OP] New Member

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    I'll try it again over lunch...I have 6-8 inches of new snow to play in...
     
  7. Feb 13, 2008 at 11:15 AM
    #7
    2beard

    2beard [OP] New Member

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    No luck...I went the length of the parking lot in 4L S-turning left, right etc...in about 4 inches of wet, slushy snow. It never engaged.
     
  8. Feb 13, 2008 at 3:45 PM
    #8
    concrete jedi

    concrete jedi Well-Known Member

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    That sucks ! I just found out that my 4 Lo won't engage :(
     
  9. Feb 13, 2008 at 5:43 PM
    #9
    steviestyles

    steviestyles The "Search" tab is your friend!!

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    I tried to engage my locker today after reading this thread. I had to drive about 50ft forward to get the locker to lock. It also took awhile for it to disengage. I wonder, is it just an electronic control module that controls the 4 wheel drive system and e-locker function, and does it have a high fail rate. I've read a few people having problem going 4 lo and using the elocker.
     
  10. Feb 13, 2008 at 6:02 PM
    #10
    piercedtiger

    piercedtiger Devout Atheist

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    Mine took a long time to engage when I first used it. I did the locker anytime mod too, and thought it was broken because it wouldn't engage. Once I checked all my fuses and the mod wires to make sure it was right I tried again.

    I had to push the button and drive back and forth in my driveway 10-20ft each way turning the wheel slightly each time.

    I would turn off the radio and fans to see if you can hear the actuator click. It should make one solid click if it's trying to engage. If it's really quiet out and you hear nothing I'd say something is wrong with the actuator. Maybe check all your fuses before running to the dealer? It is all electrical after all.

    Jedi:
    Have you engaged 4HI, stopped COMPLETELY, shifted to neutral, pushed clutch to FLOOR, then switched to 4LO?

    Mine was really anal about getting all of those requirements until I'd put more 4wd miles on it. Now I don't even need to shift to neutral as long as the clutch is to the floor and I'm stopped. It's a pain in the ass until you use it and break it in. I made a point of using it to back up grassy hills to avoid tearing up the lawn AND help break in the 4LO system.
     
  11. Feb 14, 2008 at 8:33 PM
    #11
    sidewinder

    sidewinder Well-Known Member

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    I can't tell you how disappointed I am that I have to engage 4lo to use the freaking locker. Coming up my driveway tonight I couldn't crest into my garage. Light snow made one wheel spin and the open diff ensured I did nothing but slide backwards. This sucks. I'm kinda worried about it's off-road prowess now, my Honda Passport never had a problem getting up the driveway. I know, I know, it had limited slip, but it sure was nice to never have to worry about GETTING IN THE FREAKING GARAGE! And on Valentine night too, coming home from a date, you know its a sure thing ;-), but now my wife wonders what kind of sissy truck I bought and here I am posting to this forum rather than upstairs. Sheesh!

    Where's that locker anytime mod! I'm doing it this weekend. Unacceptable.
     
  12. Feb 14, 2008 at 8:44 PM
    #12
    PPD934

    PPD934 Well-Known Member

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    guys I was having the same problem, Took it in for the TSB and mentions the locker, the mechanic could not get it to work either. They replaced the locker and still would not lock. They then had to ordr me a knew 4WD CPU unit and install it today. If you light always flashes it has never locked in. The mechanic who is a friend said that its normal for toyota to put in a wrong relay or wrong CPU on the locker options....
     
  13. Feb 15, 2008 at 5:57 AM
    #13
    piercedtiger

    piercedtiger Devout Atheist

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    http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/technical-chat/4838-cheap-free-mods.html
     
  14. Mar 13, 2008 at 7:36 PM
    #14
    Burban05

    Burban05 Member

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    there is a really cheap easy mod that u can do... like $20 at radio shack, u can bypass somthing and engage the locker anytime... search for it and u will find something, if not message me back and ill get u on the right track
     
  15. Mar 13, 2008 at 7:40 PM
    #15
    piercedtiger

    piercedtiger Devout Atheist

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    It's listed in the link posted above! :D
     
  16. Mar 14, 2008 at 12:39 AM
    #16
    zmtnbik

    zmtnbik FMLYHM

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    As mentioned, the first time you try to engage it will take a while.

    I did the locker anytime mod and it took me a few days before it finally locked. I even contacted the original poster who wrote up the mod. Sure enough after enough patience it finally locked up.
    Now it will lock up almost immediately whenever I turn it on.

    I too was pretty pissed off that you could only use the locker in 4-lo, so the mod was a must for me and is very easy to do. I would recommend everybody do it that has the off-road package.
     
  17. Mar 14, 2008 at 9:56 AM
    #17
    WildcaTaco

    WildcaTaco Well-Known Member

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    I did a slightly better mod that requires no modifications to stock electrical or mechanical systems that ensures locker will engage no matter what when I want it to....... I bought a PreRunner:pccoffee:
     
  18. Mar 14, 2008 at 10:15 AM
    #18
    piercedtiger

    piercedtiger Devout Atheist

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    Isn't it limited to 5mph? Or no engaging after 5mph? Seems like I heard that limitation tossed around.

    But that's one of the reasons for this mod. If a Prerunner doesn't need to be in 4LO (since it CAN'T) to use the locker, why do the 4wd's?
     
  19. Mar 14, 2008 at 10:22 AM
    #19
    WildcaTaco

    WildcaTaco Well-Known Member

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    Can be engaged before you reach 5mph after that only limit is how fast you care to go. Been out in the light sand doing around 80-90 with the rear locked up and no issues.
     
  20. Mar 14, 2008 at 10:24 AM
    #20
    piercedtiger

    piercedtiger Devout Atheist

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    Ok, that's what I thought. Gotta lock it under 5mph, so it's not really "anytime". :D I've locked mine at 30-40mph. :D
     

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