Locker question - Toyota 4Runner Forum

Mateo8 · 01-02-2021, 01:06 AM

I have a '97 5-speed with factory locker, the other week when it snowed I wanted to engage my locker, just for fun skiddy stupid stuff, but when I pressed the button to engage the locker the light in the gauge cluster just kept blinking and seemed to not engage. I have tried to engage it since, but the light just keeps blinking, the 4wd works fine. I haven't engaged the locker in a couple of years, but when I had done previously the light went solid once engaged. Is this normal, what can I do to try and engage the locker properly (I have only used the locker a handful of times previously)?

Malcolm99 · 01-02-2021, 01:31 AM

If you where in 4L and going slow enough and tried some light turning and it didn't engage something is wrong with the wiring or locker itself, the wiring is pretty exposed. The locker is pretty simple to work on but difficult to remove without destroying the housing, I use a junk wood chisel to break them free from the diff focusing gentle taps at the connection where the locker enters the diff. You can try tapping lightly on the housing while attempting to engage to see if it frees up, do not tap on the steel cylinder shaped cap on the top of the locker or you may knock a magnet loose further disabling the locker. I try to engage it and use 4L every couple of months.

Mateo8 · 01-02-2021, 01:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malcolm99

If you where in 4L and going slow enough and tried some light turning and it didn't engage something is wrong with the wiring or locker itself, the wiring is pretty exposed. The locker is pretty simple to work on but difficult to remove without destroying the housing, I use a junk wood chisel to break them free from the diff focusing gentle taps at the connection where the locker enters the diff. You can try tapping lightly on the housing while attempting to engage to see if it frees up, do not tap on the steel cylinder shaped cap on the top of the locker or you may knock a magnet loose further disabling the locker. I try to engage it and use 4L every couple of months.

I was not in 4L, I was in standard 2WD. I will try tomorrow. I am not really that familiar with the forum, but are there any guides on how to fix a locker (worst case scenario)? I am adept at working on cars, currently keeping a fleet of 9 cars for the family working right now from all makes and models (including a '97 collectors edition Land Cruiser, some Jeeps, Fords, Chevys, BMWs and VWs) so nothing really scares me on the DIY side (except for my BMW wagon, which has been a semi-problem child for me, as it suffered from failed timing chains and needed new heads... stupid German DOHC VANOS v8s)

Malcolm99 · 01-02-2021, 02:16 AM

You need to be in 4L Unless you did the grey wire mod(blue on a 4R) for anytime RRDIFFLOCK. If you search on YouTube there is a couple of vids, each sorta focus on separate parts of the locker so always good to watch a few. If the cap on the top is really rusted a magnet may have become dislodged, but sounds like you just need to do the grey wire mod and have fun doing really fun 2WD doughnuts.

gamefreakgc · 01-02-2021, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mateo8

I was not in 4L, I was in standard 2WD. I will try tomorrow. I am not really that familiar with the forum, but are there any guides on how to fix a locker (worst case scenario)? I am adept at working on cars, currently keeping a fleet of 9 cars for the family working right now from all makes and models (including a '97 collectors edition Land Cruiser, some Jeeps, Fords, Chevys, BMWs and VWs) so nothing really scares me on the DIY side (except for my BMW wagon, which has been a semi-problem child for me, as it suffered from failed timing chains and needed new heads... stupid German DOHC VANOS v8s)

There are some attempts but very few successes. Unfortunately these e-lockers do break, the magnets tend to break off and never be the same.

T4topher · 01-02-2021, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Malcolm99

You need to be in 4L Unless you did the grey wire mod(blue on a 4R) for anytime RRDIFFLOCK. If you search on YouTube there is a couple of vids, each sorta focus on separate parts of the locker so always good to watch a few. If the cap on the top is really rusted a magnet may have become dislodged, but sounds like you just need to do the grey wire mod and have fun doing really fun 2WD doughnuts.

This ^

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