Locker wouldn’t disengage

I have a 2020 TRD Off-road with approximately 8k miles on it.
Did Kelly Flats this morning and decided to give the lockers a try.
Stopped, engaged 4 low, then engaged rear locker.

When I tried to disengage the locker I had to press the button 2 or 3 times.
Went a bit further and engaged the locker a second time.

When I tried to disengage it wouldn’t unlock after several tries.
I finally got it to unlock the third time I stopped.

After that I noticed a clicking sound from the rear that came and went, then got louder.
Drove back to Ft. Collins to the dealership. By then the clicking was quiet again.

Service manager thinks it’s the actuator. Does that sound right? If not, what else might it be?
FYI I took it very easy on the gas, especially while locked!

Which is more reliable. The e-locker, or the air locker.
I’m less concerned about the warranty, more concerned about reliability.
(I am considering getting re-geared.)

 

Your rear locker is an electromagnetic device. It does not have a servomotor controlling it.

If the locker will not unlock, drive slowly and rock the front steering back and forth. If there is any pressure between the two axles, the locking plate will not release. Moving the wheel back and forth will release the pressure allowing the locker plate to disengage.

The e-lockers have good reliability unless really pushed. The Air lockers can be finicky and have air leak issues... it also requires more work and expense over something you already have.

 

I’ve had this happen as well, same as cycling between 2/4 wd. I try and engage at least once a month to keep parts moving. If i was going to add a front locker, I would go air all the way around because I already have an ARB wired up. Electric locker is sufficient for the majority IMO.

 

I really don't have the time to go far off the pavement to do that, can I just go straight line in 4LO and rear locked on pavement in the parking lot to "exercise" 4L and rear lock? Not for long just enough to cycle through on off the rear locker and 4L 4H 2H

 

While this will not hurt doing... it isn't necessary with the 3rd gen locker. All the moving parts are bathed in gear oil inside the rear differential. Unless you suck up water, you shouldn't have much of an issue with it seizing up.

 

Why not? Parking lot works fine?

 

good point!

 

Read my post above about the rear locker...

As for the transfer case, I engage 4wd when it rains on a straight road. You will be fine...

 

Cycle all of your 4 x 4 features even if you're not using it on a long-term trip. Like said above their electromechanical and they need to be actuated from time to time regardless if it's only for a few minutes. Along with driving the 4 x 4 system to keep it functional.

 

Super educational thanks.

 

So… Why the clicking noise?
I got my locker to disengage but now it does a rapid clicking.
The clicking is much softer now, is it still partially engaged?

I don’t intend to do heavy rock crawling but I do enjoy challenging myself now and then.

 

Yes you can. I do not have a factory locker. I do at least once a week or so put it in 4H and 4L in my driveway, it's long and drive back and fourth straight line several times. Just to make sure everything works and is engaging as it should. Also, since its in my driveway, I keep it nice and quiet in the cab I'm listening for the engagement. I will get clicks in the cab from the front passenger side area and the engagement clanks form the transfer case 4H/4L. This all helps in understanding your truck, so you have an idea of how it sounds and feels. This transfers directly to the trails in helping you make sure everything is working correctly and acting as it should.

 

Engage all 4x4 systems once a month,... it in the owners manual.
On pavement in a straight line is completely fine.

 

E-locker will work great. What I found is that you need to engage it, drive anywhere from 0 to 100 feet to have it actually engage. To disengage it's the same thing. Press button, drive 0 to 100 feet. Use it monthly to keep everything mechanical freely moving for best results; the more I use mine the closer to 0 feet it is to engage/disengage.

 

Got 10 minutes
https://youtu.be/-FZcmDGVEmE?t=43

 

Clicking is weird. It's not really possible to be partially engaged. I guess it's possible the lock ring isn't fully to the unlocked position and the dog teeth are rubbing across each other. But if the light is off this shouldn't be the case. And, if it clicks driving straight forward it won't be this.

 

Just got back from the tire shop…
It turns out that the armor for the rear differential took a shot but did it’s job and prevented damage.
The armor shifted just enough to get up against the bolt for the u-joint.
It’s almost always something simple!
Thanks for all the input!
The video link… that guy is really informative!