05 TRD Locker not working.

I know "search" ... I did. Looked and researched for a while.

I was on a camping trip this weekend and needed my locker for some fun stuff and out of no where it wouldn't engage.

Checked fuses, tried turning, moving back and forth, driving around 2mph. it clicks when I hit the button in 4lo but it doesn't lock and the light blinks no matter what I press.

Basically since I can hear the actuator working I know it's not a power delivery issue or a ceased unit. Anything else I can try before I rip it out of my truck?

 

Look up 3rd member swap by Monkeyproof. Maybe that can help you?

 

I'd say just pull it, see if you can lock it by hand with the motor pulled and then see if the motor works. You'll figure out the problem.

 

This guy also has a good write up.

 

Yea i saved that write up. I was just wondering if there was anything else i could do before i open it up.

If i can hear it working....i hope the gears aren't stripped or something along those lines

 

Just pull the elocker motor first and see if you can manually lock it.

Use the write up for how to do it.

 

I highly doubt it. They're pretty beefy.

 

So after work i took some time to work on the truck. So using this DIY: http://www.tacomaterritory.com/forum/showthread.php?t=42460 i began to work.

Cleaned the connections and separated them. Sprayed the bolts with PB blaster and unbolted everything.




Took the actuator off and in 4Lo, hit the locker button and it does indeed work and move. So that sound i hear when i hit the button was the actuator working which is a good sign in a way.

Then using a flat head, I made sure the locker gear that the actuator moves isn't jammed.
Since the truck was in 4Lo and the front was still on the ground, i couldn't move the rear pass wheel that was in the air. But i did lift the entire rear end and spinning the wheels did NOT make a click, nor lock the rear end. I ended up cleaning everything, aligning the actuator back up and putting it all back together defeated.

Still doesn't lock, still blinks no matter what. Anything else i can do guys? im shitting kittens over here.

 

I'd get all four wheels in the air, put her in 4lo and then have someone spin each rear tire until you can force it to engage manually.

Short of that, pull the 3rd and make sure it will engage out of the truck.

 

Manually locking it with the rear up should make both wheel turn if you turn one by hand. Put it in neutral.

I think...

 

I will have to try to put all 4 up in the air. Otherwise, i guess ill have to pull the 3rd.

I did this. Lifted both rear wheels, threw it in N and tried to spin the tires but it wouldn't lock up....


This is when i wish i had a warranty

 

So ive been reading threads about this topic for pretty much 5 hours on and off. Looks like majority of people have an issue with the actuator drying up and/or ceasing. Since mine works and the diff still wont lock, im generally pretty worried something greater is causing the issue.

Im going to try to get the truck off the ground fully in 4 lo and try to get it to lock manually. So far, i have been unsuccessful with getting it to manually lock.

Could it still be that the actuator is turning but not all the way? As in not fully engaging the locker because it is dry inside? I think since i will have it off the truck and can bring it inside, ill just clean it while im at it. But first priority would be to get the rear end locked manually and if it doesn't lock, i guess take out the 3rd and see whats happening in there. Right? Should i check the rear diff fluid for metal shavings/bits? Clearly, im freakin out... haha

Any help would be great. And thanks in advance! This is my first real issue with the truck but luckily im not afraid to work on it.

 

bump

 

I know you said the motor/actuator works, but make sure it is freely working. If it is sticky or corroded, it may work when pulled off, but not have enough force to actually engage the locker. Also, with the actuator removed, rear end off the ground, front tires chocked, and tranny in neutral, insert your finger or a flat tool into the window and manually engage the mechanism by pushing it left/into the differential while slowly turning one tire to make alignment. If it has never "cracked, snapped or popped" chances are its not broken, just needs exercise. With our E-lockers, if you don't use it; you lose it. So it goes.

 

Just pull the 3rd if the above doesnt work. Got another vehicle?

 

This is precisely what i did the other day. I could NOT get it to lock no matter how long i turned the wheels or how many times i moved the gear with a flathead. Ive used the locker twice before, both times in off road situations. So it used to work just fine.

This is looking more and more like the case. And no i dont have another car. First time since i was 16 i dont have two cars...really feeling it now. haha.

 

How bad do you want the locker to work? May not be worth the down time to fix unless you get a long weekend. If its broken, whats the plan.

 

I want it fixed for sure. I want to plan a couple off road trips in the near fututre and I know I'll need it then. After all, it is why I payed more for the TRD model right? But yea as of right now, I'm waitin on a long weekend.

Here is what I did:
Parked truck in 4lo.
Raised read end of the truck.
Took off the connections to the actuator.
Cleaned the connections.
Sprayed bolts and nuts with pb blaster.
Took off cover, breather and pulled actuator off.
Hung it on a bolt, connected the wire and tested with the key turned.
It worked and made the same sound I always heard when hitting the button.
Moved the gear in the 3rd all the way to the left.
Turned the wheel slowly,fast, every which way.
Moved the gear back and forth a dozen times.
Nothin.
Assembled back together.
Had a beer.