Rear locker not engaging

Anyone experience problems with the rear locker not engaging? When I turn on 4Lo and press the locker switch the locker indicator light is red and doesn't stop blinking.

I searched the forum for previous threads on the issue, but didn't find anything.

The mechanics at the dealership can't figure it out and next step is Toyota support.

 

That is pretty rare , but should be covered under power train .

 

1/4 blinks or 1/2 second blinks?

 

Got it. I hope it is covered.

Not sure on the exact timing, but it's not rapid blinking, 1/2 second blinks possibly. Do you have an idea on what's wrong either way?

 

locker will only engage at 5mph or less while in 4low. Sometimes it takes a second or 2 or even 10 to engage but the vehicle should be moving to help align everything up internally. One "trick" that I have read at other forums is to turn in a full circle in both directions to help engage the locker, does that actually help? I dont know

 

sometimes you have to drive it a few feet forward and stop. if that doesn't work, drive it backwards and stop. turn the wheel back and forth. it'll kick in.

 

That seems like a lot of work. I mean, what if you are on a hill and suddenly need your locker?

 

you would have to excuse yourself from the group and do circles somewhere, hopefully there won't be any Jeeps around because you'll never hear the end of it for sure...

 

If you need your locker chances are you are spinning. No problem.

 

Right, but I can't be running around in circles and what not.

 

At that point, you're probably spinning tires anyway if you need it on. So spinning tires = moving. I've never heard of doing circles but generally if I move forward or backwards a little it will kick on.

 

Hit it with a hammer,and it will engage.

 

To me. Your being to gentle. Go out and use it. On a trail or hill. One wheel will slowly spin and she'll lock in. Go out and have fun

 

Again, you are most likely in a low traction condition. Cutting your wheels left then right while spinning is the same as going in a circle under normal traction conditions.

Judging by some of the comments here not many of you have had to engage a locker nor been in a situation where one is needed.

Moving forward or backward a bit (or spinning) and cutting your wheels (or going left or right for a bit) are extremely common methods for getting a locker to engage.

 

Thanks for all the feedback.

I was sure the locker should engage on demand.

Driving forward in 4Lo and locker switch on doesn't force it to lock. Haven't tried reversing. Seems from what you all are writing is that it takes some persuasion to engage. Might not be worth having the dealer continue working on it.

 

It does take a bit of finesse. I suggest you look at a simple diagram at how a locker engages on Google. You will quickly see why you have to move or spin a bit to get it locked in.

 

Not air lockers though, right?

 

Still takes a bit for alignment. Sometimes, everything is just right and it just pops in immediately. Other times it takes an act of Congress. Funny thing is locker design is the same now as it was 30 years ago. Same problems then as now lol.

 

And just like 30 years ago, those problems pale in comparison with not having lockers when you need them.

 

Are you trying in neutral?