Rear diff locker will not engage (bad actuator?) - Help

So not trying to revive a dead thread, but my locker stopped working about 6 months ago. I ended up taking it off the truck and rebuilding it. followed a link on page one for disassembly/reassembly. It was frozen up solid with corrosion. Works great now. saved some coin thanks to you guys. Plus one to you all and thanks.

 

That's why this yay:TW) is here. I have done two now, one on my '99 and just recently my '05.

 

can anyone help a wounded warrior with a problem with my last post

 

Say what?

 

I had my actuator assembly out put locker fork in lock position aligned all the gears put in motor got in trk locker light was on and abs switched to off and it stayed in lock also in 2wd any answers or questions to help as I said im a wounded warrior and it takes me a while to get back to anyone who responds as it takes me awhile to perform work

 

my rear locker sometimes doesnt want to turn off sometimes too. i kept driving in figure 8's with it on and couldn't get it to turn off all the while turning the diff locker on and off. finally when i was driving straight and hit the button on/off it kicked off. this all happened while in 4 Lo.. worth a shot. good luck wounded warrior

 

thx so much will try

 

hey I was told to replace it I would have to match up the gear ratio how does that matter im pretty mechanical savy but im not all knowing ???

 

match gear ratio? What? Never heard that one before.

 

Don't know anything about gear ratio. I know toyota claims the part is non serviceable so if it doesn't work - there going to say replace it. I serviced mine and it works now. The part goes for around 500- 700$$. To me it was worth tearing off and tinkering with before I played that kinda cash (a how to link is on page 1 I think). Sorry i can't help more

 

I have a '07 6spd Tacoma and I tried engaging my locker for the first time yesterday. I can get 4H and 4L without any problem but the locker light just flashes. I've tried backing up with it, turing the wheels and both at the same time.

With the windows down I'm not hearing any sounds.

Electrical? Mechanical? Both?

tia.

 

In 4 lo. Have a friend hit the locker button while you get right down near it and listen. I couldn't hear it click from inside the cab either. If it clicks then its not electrical. You said its the first time you turned it on so I'm betting it's mechanically froze up. You should hittheswitch monthly to keep it free. A use it or loose it thing for sure

 

Thanks. I didn't know what I was listening for so this is helpful.

I had no idea it was a "use it or lose it" feature on the Tacoma.

 

Anything electrical is especially.

 

Got under and had a look and I think I have it figured out. The e-locker looks good, but the female side of the electrical plug is cracked and at the crack the pin broke off in the female side. The means the male side (e-locker side) plug is also broken.

I'll sort out the plugs hopefully it'll solve the problem. The e-locker shaft itself has a bit of wiggle to it so I don't think it is stuck.

 

Edit: Damn google... after much searching found this on pirate4x4, front locker but looks the same. http://www.pirate4x4.com/forum/toyota-truck-4runner/698966-e-locker-actuator-rebuild.html



Well my locker froze and I need help; I have had the truck since october of 2013. Since that time at least once a month I would cycle the locker. Well I went to Kansas to help some family move and during some dirt road/creek crossing/ muddy road riding the locker froze in place. Found the link posted here for service and dropped the locker, cleaned it up. I think the motor that turns the gear to lock the diff is frozen. When we were working on locker it spun once or twice but would not spin the outside gear every time. I unlocked the diff reinstalled and drove home to GA ( i hope this didnt fry anything). Anywho long story short I need a thread about actuator motor rebuild... the ttora wiki thread is toast... anyone got a tip or thread saved in the archives?
pics cause it happened


TL: DR... froze my locker, motor in actuator is frozen(i think), need guidance rebuilding the motor under the black cap.

 

I could probably walk you through it. I recommend getting some permatex dieclectic grease and getting rid of that cramp yellow grease that dries out. Also get some gasket maker and reseal everything upon reassembly. It should loosen up after liberal use of pb blaster and working it back and forth with pliers or whatever. Also you can bend your 3 brass contacts downward for a better connection. Pm me if you have any other questions. It's really a stupid simple design after you study it some. I have some pics kicking around to if needed

 

Got the locker running again. Had to glue all 4 magnets back in place, polarity during reassembly does matter if anyone else see this and is trying to rebuild locker. North poles across from each other and south poles across from each other. I used a compass to figure out which was which. Thanks for all the help tacomaworld.
n
s s <--- magnet arrangement
n
I found this link helpful even though it is for an 80 series, pretty good detail in the pdf. http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/repairing-differential-e-lockers.570087/

 

Bump on old thread, what grease is recommended here?

 

permatex di-electric