Electronic locking rear diff problems.

My 03 ext cab sr5 TuRD won't lock up in the rear. I push the rear diff lock button and it just flashes.
Is this a common issue? I've wiggled and checked connection to the rear end (on the rear end) and so far, it's done nothing. Anyone else had this problem?
Also, I installed the 5100's on the rear end today. Haven't put the 1in blocks on yet because the rest of the lift isn't here yet. Is that ok to run without the blocks yet?

 

The e-locker almost never engages right away, it has to line up to engage and that sometimes takes a few feet of driving, sometimes more. Some suggest driving side to side a bit helps.

Never engage it (or 4wd) on a paved surface, do it on dirt (or grass, snow, ice, etc.) and drive forward a bit and see if it engages. It's just way they work, they rarely engage right when you press the button. If it still won't lock in, then you might have an issue

 

Yeah, from what I've read you

stop(yeah some say you can engage while going less than 5mph but why risk it)
engage(push button)
roll backwards a little and it should engage
move forward

 

I've tried it stopped,barely rolling etc...lol just keeps flashin...

 

'barely rolling' probably isn't enough to get it to engage. Press the button and drive forward 20 ft or so, keep going until it locks in.

 

@eon_blue is correct, it's likely that you're just not letting it engage (hate to say it, but user error). Even ARBs don't always lock right away.

Inside the locker there are (essentially) splines that need to engage with corresponding splines on each axle for the locker to "lock". Normally, those splines are independent and rotate with each axle, but they each need to be lined up with the splines on the locker to fully engage. If the axles are in a position where the splines don't line up, you're not going to get locked.

So you can usually drive forward or back, maybe use a slight zig-zag pattern. One wheel usually needs to rotate slightly in relation to the other to fully engage.

One way to be sure is to jack up the rear end, engage the locker, and get out and twist one wheel. It should engage pretty easily. If it doesn't, then yeah, you might have an issue with the actuator, but more than likely it's driving style.

This does bring up a point I like to make about driving style. Don't wait until you NEED 4wd, 4lo, or even the locker to engage it. If you've gotten to a point were where you are all crossed up on a steep incline, wheels turned to lock, and loose traction, it will be very difficult to engage even 4wd. You can't just push a button and expect it to instantly give you what you want.

Plan ahead.

If you get to a section where it looks pretty tough, throw it in 4wd and locker 'er up. Don't wait to get stuck first.

 

I've tried to engage for 3/4 of a mile down a trail and nothin...

 

I assume your truck is stock, meaning that you must be in low range to use the e-locker. Also, drive in a circle. You need to line up the locking hub.

Also, with the tcase in low range, engine off, push the button. Listen for the motor to run. Make sure the key in in the in position..

 

See, I didn't know it had to be in low range. I'm gonna try that right now. Thanks in advance if it works.

 

haha yeah, sorry I should have said that in my first post. Yes, you have to be in 4lo or it won't lock (unless you do the grey wire mod) That should do the trick.

 

If it works in low range, look up "gray wire mod"..

 

DUUUUUUDE! hahaha... slid in like black ice and bald tires! Now...to check out this "grey wire" thingamajig I want it to engage in 2 hi... hope that's what the "grey wire" trick is.

 

Yeah the grey wire mod allows you to engage the locker anytime you want, regardless of 2wd/4wd or speed....but I don't think it's wise to try and lock it while you're going fast.

 

Sweet. Put my rear 5100's on this afternoon and walked in the house 10 minutes ago and my coilovers are here. Merry Christmas to me! Now, to sweet talk the wife into letting me order a 10klb warn,new front and rear bumpers,some 32x11.50's for the white truck and some 36x12.00x15 TSL SX II's for the trail rig.. wish me luck!

 

You've been bitten by the bug....welcome to the empty wallet club

 

The grey wire mod allows you to use the diff lock in 2/4and Lo. There is a separate input for speed. I'm not sure what the max engagement speed is...

 

I've been infested by them for a while..lol I just can't afford to make the 03 taco like I want it AND the 88 sas'd 4 runner...which really only needs new 37" tires...and a winch....can't properly send it without a winch..lol oh, and finish the exo cage out all the way around the rig...

 

ah makes sense...I think on Prerunners it's limited to 15mph? I'm not 100% sure on that though. Might be the same for 4x4's, I don't really ever go faster than that in 4lo anyhow. Haven't done the grey wire mod myself, I only ever need to use my locker in 4lo anyway so never really felt the need to do the mod.

 

Another thing to remember is the E-locker can become stuck if not used. When I got my truck this was the case. Using it once a month is suppose to cure that problem.