Rear E-Lock Diff light flashing

Hello guys! I’m new here. My rear diff lock light just flashes at me when I try to engage it. I’ve tried to drive forward and in reverse to get it to lock with no luck. On dirt of course. Have any of y’all had this problem before? Do I need a new rear diff actuator? What are y’all’s thoughts?

 

Do you have your truck in 4L?

 

Engages better if you turning gently left or right when you turn it on.

 

Thanks! I’ll try that next.

 

Yes, I’ve tired in 4L and 4H.

 

It only operates in 4L, it may be stuck (happened to mine when I didn't use it for awhile). Get a helper, put your truck in 4L, get your helper to operate the locker switch while you tap the actuator gently with a hammer, and see if it takes off.

 

Are you in neutral when you try to engage it?

 

Thanks! I’ll keep that in mind. I haven’t tried to used it in a while too.

 

Yes I’ve tried to engage in neutral as well.

 

Must be in 4L. Off pavement, so S turns going forward. If this doesn’t work, then you may need to gently tap as mentioned, then repeat. Next scenario is removing the actuator and engaging and disengaging locking mechanism manually to get it to move, and also remove the limit switch and clean it and press it in and out. Then repeat the above steps.

 

Thank you!

 

What I did on mine to verify:
In your driveway/garage, get the truck to go into 4LO. Shut it off.
Jack up the rear end, tires off the ground. Turn the key ahead, but don't start it.
With it in neutral and the front wheels chocked, engage the locker button. When the locker light starts flashing, walk back and rotate one of your back wheels by hand. You should hear it engage then, and both back wheels will begin turning the same direction.
Once I got it to engage, I exercised it a few times.
Be safe and don't get under the truck while you have it off the ground and for God's sake, don't have it running. Make sure the front wheels are blocked to keep it from rolling.

 

Thank you!

 

You know, I may have had all four tires off the ground but with the open diff, the back tires should at least spin in opposite directions until you lock it.

 

I had this happen when I bought my truck because the previous owner never used the locker so it was all gummed up. I disassembled it, cleaned out the old grease and corrosion and relubed and installed it. Has worked perfectly ever since.

 

Post number 3 ^^^

You have to slalom left and right so the side gears in the diff will walk a little..