1. Welcome to Tacoma World!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all Tacoma discussion topics
    • Communicate privately with other Tacoma owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

E-locker problem/ alignment issue?

Discussion in '1st Gen. Tacomas (1995-2004)' started by TashcomerTexas, May 13, 2014.

  1. May 13, 2014 at 8:10 PM
    #1
    TashcomerTexas

    TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2014
    Member:
    #127853
    Messages:
    10,104
    Vehicle:
    2003 TRD DC King Ranch Edition
    So I used my e locker today in the mud for the first time in a while, I drive a 03 prerunner and I tried to use it but the light kept flashing on the dash I know that means it's not engaged. After some brief research on here I realized it's my alignment I'm guessing. I have a 3" OME lift and everybody knows you can't get a perfect alignment without new UCA's versus the stock ones on a 3" suspension lift. I did a couple of test runs in my neighborhood and it won't engage until I turn the wheel a decent amount to the left and drive forward a bit, then I can't disangage it until I turn it to the right a bit and drive forward.
    Just wondering if anyone here has dealt with this, 1st and 2nd gen/ 4wd and 2wd guys?
    Now that I know to engage/disangage it I feel a little better about the problem. It won't be corrected until I get new UCA's and align it correctly am I right?
     
  2. May 13, 2014 at 8:25 PM
    #2
    RCOTaco

    RCOTaco Long Time Lurker

    Joined:
    Nov 24, 2011
    Member:
    #67610
    Messages:
    318
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Dalton
    Hamlet, NC
    Vehicle:
    Super White DCSB 4x4
    Bilstein 5100s on Stock Coils, Light Racing UCA's, Pro Comp Wheels, 265/75 Baja MTZ's, Cobra 18 WXST, 4' Firestik, UWS Toolbox
    The e-locker working or not working has nothing to do with your alignment. And when I say nothing, I mean they are not even relevant to each other.

    It's relatively typical to have to turn a small amount to get the locker to engage and disengage. Really and truly, the only thing I know that can help the locker work is to possibly put synthetic gear oil in the rear differential so maybe it's a little easier for the actuator to work.

    Also, if you don't use the locker often, it tends to stick and be a bit more difficult to engage, which would explain why the dash light was flashing on you when you tried to use it in the mud for the first time in a while.
     
  3. May 13, 2014 at 8:31 PM
    #3
    TashcomerTexas

    TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2014
    Member:
    #127853
    Messages:
    10,104
    Vehicle:
    2003 TRD DC King Ranch Edition
    I used it the first time today and it engaged right away, then I got stuck. I turned it off and then tried to reverse a bit and then tried to engage it again that's when it started to blink. This has never occurred and even months ago pre-lift it would engage right away and you could hear the clunk. I don't believe you are correct sir but that's just my thought.
     
  4. May 13, 2014 at 8:37 PM
    #4
    TashcomerTexas

    TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2014
    Member:
    #127853
    Messages:
    10,104
    Vehicle:
    2003 TRD DC King Ranch Edition
    Or maybe you are right lol...
    It'd be nice for it to just be a click and go thing
     
  5. May 13, 2014 at 8:44 PM
    #5
    tomtom

    tomtom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2012
    Member:
    #82706
    Messages:
    5,371
    Gender:
    Male
    The Desert SW
    Vehicle:
    2012 FJ
    As RCOTaco mentioned, the alignment has nothing to do with the locker engaging.

    If the carrier isn't lined up just right, you have to move forward or backward a bit to get it to.

    Typically, I have to press the button, come to a complete stop, start moving forward slowly then it will engage.

    Steering side-to-side can have the same effect since it will cause the rear wheels to rotate slightly.
     
  6. May 13, 2014 at 8:46 PM
    #6
    TashcomerTexas

    TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2014
    Member:
    #127853
    Messages:
    10,104
    Vehicle:
    2003 TRD DC King Ranch Edition
    Thanks for the insight! Got to live with it then
     
  7. May 13, 2014 at 11:32 PM
    #7
    IDtrucks

    IDtrucks Unhinged and Fluid

    Joined:
    Jun 2, 2010
    Member:
    #38254
    Messages:
    23,503
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mark "Buck"
    Jackson Wyoming
    Vehicle:
    96' X-Cab 4x4 TRD Off Road Clusterfuck
    JVC Deck, 10" sub mountd in rear seat cubby, 2 LED off road lights mounted in grille, amber raptor style grille lights, LED rock lights, square led bed light, custom made fuse block tray, 12 blade Blue Sea fuse block, 100a marine circuit breaker, black plasti dipped full grille, tinted tail lights + third, Uniden 520 with 4' firestik, Bilstein 5100s with 620lb Eibach coils, Diff drop, Chevy 63 leaf swap, TG creeper joints, 14" triangulated biletein 5125s, 8" extended steel braided brake line, TG Rock Sliders, CBI Moab 1.0 front bumper, custom fabbed bed rack, full TRD E-Locker axle swap and matching re-gear with custom stand alone wiring circuit, 29 spline pinion flange from an 06 wishbone runner, tubbed for 35x12.5" general grabbers on Ultra type 181 wheels, crush sleeve eliminator, Mini ARB compressor, front ARB locker, garage fab aluminum front skid plate, custom built high clearence rear bumper, removable mothafuckin doors
    To lock it and un lock it i usually crank the wheels one way and give the gas a few taps to get it to set.

    dont wait until you need it to lock it
     
  8. May 14, 2014 at 5:04 AM
    #8
    xcmtb83

    xcmtb83 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2011
    Member:
    #64315
    Messages:
    1,031
    Gender:
    Male
    Iowa
    Wow...

    Well buckaroo if an alignment doesn't solve it I would try changing the radio station or turn your heater to defrost.
     
  9. May 14, 2014 at 8:29 AM
    #9
    TashcomerTexas

    TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2014
    Member:
    #127853
    Messages:
    10,104
    Vehicle:
    2003 TRD DC King Ranch Edition
    How about you read a little further before acting like a smartass, smartass.
     
  10. May 14, 2014 at 2:04 PM
    #10
    Andy.G

    Andy.G Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2014
    Member:
    #121972
    Messages:
    1,330
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andy
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    96 tacoma sx 4x4 2.7 5 speed
    Started automatic. Swapped to manual
    Dude, he came on here asking a question and got good answers(besides yours)! All good advice except yours! Some times it's better to say nothing than it is to sarcastic.:crapstorm::crapstorm::crapstorm: Like you know everything or something.
     
  11. May 14, 2014 at 3:22 PM
    #11
    xcmtb83

    xcmtb83 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2011
    Member:
    #64315
    Messages:
    1,031
    Gender:
    Male
    Iowa
    I think you need to take your own advice and search the topic. There are about 5 million threads it seems about an elocker not engaging.

    Andy. G - I thought I had a very good answer.:D I do not know everything, in fact I know very little which is even more the concerning for him as even I shook my head at his alignment theory. I just get tired of people wanting silver spoon fed info instead of searching and then when info given they second guess people and propose other bizarre theories as to why "X" isn't working. With any amount of searching one would realize that a bad alignment is no way related to an elocker not engaging. This is where my sarcasm stemmed from.
     
  12. May 14, 2014 at 3:41 PM
    #12
    CorrosiveTendency

    CorrosiveTendency When up to your nose in shit, keep your mouth shut

    Joined:
    Sep 29, 2010
    Member:
    #43987
    Messages:
    2,188
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Nathan S.
    Schuylkill Co, Pa
    Vehicle:
    05' DblCab SB Speedway Blue
    OME 885's, Locker Mod. Bilstein 5100's on 4 corners
  13. May 14, 2014 at 4:54 PM
    #13
    TashcomerTexas

    TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2014
    Member:
    #127853
    Messages:
    10,104
    Vehicle:
    2003 TRD DC King Ranch Edition
    I searched before hand if you actually read my first post. Ok, now shut up. I didn't ask for your horseshit answers. This is a forum where tacoma owners can speculate and ask/answer questions and help each other out. If I wanted to BS around with people I'd go to the BS threads. Please don't act like you have seniority over everyone and can OZ your way around people's serious concerns. Ok I admit I'm an elocker noob but I'm learning, stay strong keyboard warrior.


    Jackass.
     
  14. May 14, 2014 at 5:00 PM
    #14
    otis24

    otis24 Hard Shell Taco

    Joined:
    Dec 3, 2012
    Member:
    #92402
    Messages:
    6,359
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mark
    California
    Vehicle:
    OtisBound Outdoors Bodonkadonk
    OtisBound Bodonkadonk
    One of the things I truly enjoy about the Tacomaworld forums is that people here tend to treat each other with respect. You're not adding anything useful with the name calling and being abusive to one another and being all negative.

    You know what I mean?
     
  15. May 14, 2014 at 5:51 PM
    #15
    xcmtb83

    xcmtb83 Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Sep 28, 2011
    Member:
    #64315
    Messages:
    1,031
    Gender:
    Male
    Iowa
    Nope, never even read it. What is this thread even about?

    Sure thing (I am going to temporarily disobey you and continue my post, please forgive me).

    It comes with the territory.

    I am helping you, it is called tough love. haha

    Good to know.

    Seniority over everyone? I am sorry that you think I do this.

    Good.

    Were you typing this in front of a mirror?

    I am a little confused on this one. Are you calling me a jackass or is this your signature?

    Have a nice day.
     
  16. May 14, 2014 at 7:10 PM
    #16
    TashcomerTexas

    TashcomerTexas [OP] My truck is a whiner

    Joined:
    Apr 16, 2014
    Member:
    #127853
    Messages:
    10,104
    Vehicle:
    2003 TRD DC King Ranch Edition
    Lol this guy is a lost cause. Get a life.
     
  17. May 14, 2014 at 11:06 PM
    #17
    Andy.G

    Andy.G Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jan 31, 2014
    Member:
    #121972
    Messages:
    1,330
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Andy
    Virginia
    Vehicle:
    96 tacoma sx 4x4 2.7 5 speed
    Started automatic. Swapped to manual
    Dude I understand because I was wondering if it was a real question or not. Didn't mean to raz you. Sorry bout that.
     
  18. May 14, 2014 at 11:09 PM
    #18
    95 taco

    95 taco Battle Born

    Joined:
    May 3, 2012
    Member:
    #78175
    Messages:
    17,466
    Vehicle:
    2003 4x4 TRD SR5 auto
    OME 883 front, OMD 3.5" rear, Relentless front bumper, smittybilt 9.5K winch
    x9876543287394865984

    This man speaks the truth.
     
  19. May 15, 2014 at 8:06 AM
    #19
    tomtom

    tomtom Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Jul 15, 2012
    Member:
    #82706
    Messages:
    5,371
    Gender:
    Male
    The Desert SW
    Vehicle:
    2012 FJ
    The internet is like TV. If you don't like what's on, change the channel or turn it off.

    To the OP, glad TW answered your question.
     
  20. May 15, 2014 at 10:01 AM
    #20
    RAT PRODUCTS

    RAT PRODUCTS Well-Known Member

    Joined:
    Apr 12, 2010
    Member:
    #35140
    Messages:
    13,728
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Ryan
    Farmington, MN
    Vehicle:
    Cummins Coal Roller
    Smokin with a smarty.
    I just got an alignment on Friday and now my locker engages flawlessly!
     

Products Discussed in

To Top