3rd Gen E-locker: how does it work?

I have seen a ton of videos, write-ups, and forum threads on how to fix the 2nd gen e-locker and see how easily it works. I can't seem to find anything that explains how the 3rd gen e-locker works. Mine is pretty much unusable, so I was hoping to find a "how to fix it" like I see for the 2nd gens. I have had mine locked in the "on" position after use, which is not a great feeling when you want to drive 100 miles home! It also pretty much refuses to go into lock, but after fiddling and rolling forward / backward and turning it might engage or disengage if it feels like it. I have tried to "use" it weekly but it never got any better and I was just more worried it was going to get stuck and keep me stuck in 4LO. Does anyone have any helpful links showing how the 3rd gen e-locker activates, or how to clean/repair it?

 

@ShimStack or @BigWhiteTRD

 

It works similar to the Eaton E-locker. It’s an electromagnetically actuated locking ring. Sorry to hear of your trouble. Mine has worked really well.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=x40WGUtdaLI

 

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/stock-8-75-bd22an-locker-dissection.674592/

http://www.ttguide.net/components-1291.html

By chance you messed with it at all? It's a very simple mechanism with an internal solenoid that plunges a dog clutch into engagement when energized and uses a spring return to maintain the unlocked state. There's not much to fail or get dirty. What's your locking and unlocking technique? You need to drive a bit and turn the wheel when changing states to get the clutch aligned and not bound.

 

When I want to be able to easily lock and unlock the rear (when testing), I do the following.

Put truck in 4lo in neutral on flat ground (garage etc). CAREFULLY Jack just one rear wheel until it is off the ground and release the e-brake.
Activate the locker and turn the lifted wheel gently by hand (if required) until it locks in. Deactivate the locker and turn the lifted wheel as necessary until it unlocks.

I would try that and see if you can get it to repeatedly lock and unlock... I think you will probably find that you can get it to lock in and out easily (based on my experience). If not, further troubleshooting will be in order...

 

You do know that it only works in 4L right?

I don't know why Toyota designed a locker that you can only use in 4L but they did. =(

 

KO-EO?

 

My best guess is so that people don't speed and roast the diff. My 2005 Tacoma was a 2wd Pre-Runner Off-Road and had the diff locker.

 

Thanks, all. Yes, I knew it must be 4LO. My process is to engage 4HI, drive a short distance to ensure solid engagement, stop, put in neutral, engage 4LO, put in drive and move forward a short distance to ensure engagement. Then put in neutral, engage locker, when light flashes, put in D and roll forward. It just stays flashing. I try weaving a bit to get the inner pins aligned. If by luck it does engage, I simply press the button to disengage and drive forward, weaving a bit. When that fails (most of the time) I try reverse since I know that should drive the balls backwards to their detents and that maybe works.

 

Don't worry about shifting to N to engage the locker. That's just making things worse. It's fine to be driving forward when you engage and it helps (truck won't start the engagement process if you're over 5mph). Just don't be spinning tires. Drive slowly, press locker button, turn left or right until the light is solid. There are no balls, no pins, and no detents, this is not a Harrop, this is the 3rd gen e-locker. Look at the links above to see the hardware.

When your 4WD, 4LO, and locker lights are solid they are engaged. No need to "drive forward to confirm".

 

Because it isn't designed to be used at speed. Your speed is very limited in 4L.

 

what inspired you to reply to 2 YO thread and to a user that hasn't logged in here in 2 years

 

Was doing some googling on the electromechanical function of the locker in the tacoma, this thread came up, was skimming through it, saw some dumb shit, couldn't help myself.

 

LOL, some "well known" TW users will resurrect old threads just to f with ppl and watch the fallout..

 

I might just do that,,, shake things up, dig up ol bones and drag out skeletons