Rear diff lock doesn’t do anything

I have a 2004 (first gen) sr5 trd Tacoma it’s RWD and has a rear diff lock button but whenever I press it nothing seems to happen no light no nothing and I keep one wheel peeling always on the right side. I’m not sure when the last time it has worked , it has never worked since I have owned the car. I hate one wheel peeling ! Its embarrassing!! Tired of rotating my tires !!!

 

Are you engaging it correctly?
Have you read the manual?

Are you “sure” you want it working?
I get the feeling, you’ll probably break other stuff once you get the locker working.

 

I’d rather just listen to someone who actually has something productive to say about my problems . Thanks for ruining Tacoma world

 

lol what a fuckin meme. Anyways, eventually the grease in the diff lock turns to dust and the thing wont engage. Could be the cause.

 

@TnShooter has really good points. Many people never take the time to simply lookup the process for correctly using the buttons and switches in their rigs. It's extremely common on here to go, "oh shit, I'm supposed to be in neutral when I put my truck in low range?", and that sort of stuff. And his later comment is about your not wanting one wheel peeling. If you regularly use your locker on pavement you're probably just going to ruin your tires and/or break something.

But on to more productive stuff:

First thing I'd do is take a look at your axle and see if you really have the actuator on there. My actuator is currently failed. When I hit the button it tries but fails to shift the thing, but my dashboard DEFINITELY starts flashing the diff lock symbol.

 

you are careless enough to ask a question about a first gen in the second gen section, you have no ground to stand on here

 

Sounds like the actuator isn't getting a signal at all if the light isn't even blinking, should blink and then go solid once it engages. I would check and make sure the wiring to the actuator looks good and the plugs are connected

 

My 2 questions were serious questions.
I had planned to respond if you answered those question.

I still might.

But I need to know what we're working with.........

 

If I was having a problem this guy is in my top 3 on this entire site that I would hope would help me.
Stick around, answer their questions, I’m sure you’ll be sorted quickly.

 

Does the indication light come on when you turn ignition to on?

 

4lo? Assuming 4WD anyway, don't know what is required in a prerunner to use the locker

 

I'm glutton for punishment.

1. The Rear Diff Lock switch is powered by the 10A Gauges fuse.
2. The Rear Diff Lock ECU is powered by the 20A 4WD fuse.
If good, Go to 3.

3. Unplug Diff Lock ECU Check pins 4 & 5 of the R16 connector for 12v.
Check pin 7 for a good ground.

 

OP said RWD

 

I'm still hung up on the idea that lockers negate the need for regular tire rotations.

 

Profile says he has new tires. I say we help him work his way into a new set?

 

Too kind

Op been doing one tire fires, he wants to spin em both

 

They're all rear wheel drive, until you put them in 4WD

yeah, idk what a 2wd truck needs

 

Maybe you don't have a locking diff....just the button? I'm thinking about canvasing all the of the area Pick 'n Pull places and swapping out all of the blank switch areas in my truck with switches for stuff that I don't really have. Would look wicked nice at night with them all lit up. Would confuse the dealer something awful too.

I think I'm going to start with the "clutch pedal start bypass" switch even though the truck has an automatic. I'll prob add the locking diff switch next. I always wanted to pretend I had one of those.

 

a front drivetrain

 

Indeed