Center Locking Diff Button Help

[TonyBess]

Question: Just purchased a 4th gen 2005. 4wd Hi & Lo works but the Center Locking Differential does not work, the dash icon showing lock doesn't even come on when pushing the button. Question 1. Does the Center Locking Differential button when you push it in does it stay in? When I push the button it does not stay in and it pops right back out. This is different from my FJ rear lock when you push it the button stays in until your ready to disengage.
2. Has anyone any experience with this and to why if the 4H and 4L work why wont the center lock differential activate. Any help is much appreciated.

 

[ArthurKotb]

If you're locking the center differential you need to be on gravel, ice, dirt etc. If you aren't you're going to lock things up.

I think you have to press and hold the locking differential button for a few seconds in order to engage it. I don't recall that I've engaged it in LO. The only times I have engaged it were on snow/ice or dirt.

 

[FrontRange4]

4 Lo is a gearing thing. You need to be in neutral and be at a stop (holding the foot break down) in order to get into 4Lo. The center diff can be done on the fly if you are not on the acceleration. This just puts it to 50/50 power on front rear rather than the normal 70/30ish or whatever it is.

I use the center diff lock when climbing up to ski areas in the winter. Can help the front or rear from slipping and spinning. Center diff lock also turns off the ABS and trac control. As the other guy said, refrain from using on dry pavement though

 

[shine]

First thing I'd check would be to make sure the connector behind the switch is securely in place. Next thing would would probably be to see if a fuse is blown, not sure which one controls the center diff. If that looks ok, maybe check the button with a continuity tester, and the connector with a multimeter to see if there's anything wrong there.

 

[rdruss]

First thing I'd check would be to make sure the connector behind the switch is securely in place. Next thing would would probably be to see if a fuse is blown, not sure which one controls the center diff. If that looks ok, maybe check the button with a continuity tester, and the connector with a multimeter to see if there's anything wrong there.

And yes, when you push the CD lock button, the button stays down and lit until you push it again to disengage, just like your FJ and of course you should see the icon light up on the dash along with VSC off.

 

[88Center]

Why not read the manual first?

158 and 163-165 on 2005 manual

163
Use the four−wheel drive control switch knob and center differential lock switch to select the transfer and center differential modes.

The “H4” and “L4” positions of the four−wheel drive control switch knob provide either lock or unlock mode of the center differential depending on the center differential lock switch position.

Use the center differential lock system if your wheels get stuck in a ditch, or when you are driving on a slippery or bumpy surface. When the center differential is locked, the vehicle stability control system is automatically turned off and the center differential lock and “VSC OFF” indicator lights come on because the function that controls engine performance interferes with the process of freeing your wheels.

NOTICE

As soon as the center differential lock switch is turned on, the “VSC OFF” indicator light comes on. After the wheels are out of the ditch or off the slippery or bumpy surface, turn the center differential lock switch off. Make sure that the center differential lock indicator light and vehicle stability control system off indicator light turn off.

“H4” (high speed position, center differential unlocked): Four−wheel drive control switch knob at “H4”, center differential lock switch left out Use this for normal driving on all types of roads, from dry hard−surfaced roads to wet, icy or snow−covered roads. This position gives greater economy, quietest ride, least wear and better vehicle control.

“H4” (high speed position, center differential locked): Four−wheel drive control switch knob at “H4”, center differential lock switch pushed in Use this for greater traction when you experience a loss of power, such as wheel slipping, in the center differential unlock mode.

“L4” (low speed position, center differential unlocked): Four−wheel drive control switch knob at “L4”, center differential lock switch left out.

The “4LO” (low speed four−wheel drive) indicator light comes on when the “L4” mode is selected.

Use this for maximum power and traction. Use this for climbing or descending steep hills, off−road driving, and hard pulling in sand or mud.

In this mode, the braking feeling that occurs when the wheels are negotiating a sharp corner is further reduced than in the “L4” (low position, center differential locked) mode.

“L4” (low speed position, center differential locked): Four−wheel drive control switch knob at “L4”, center differential lock switch pushed in.

The “4LO” (low speed four−wheel drive) indicator light comes on when the “L4” mode is selected.

There is more on pages 164 and 165

 

[ArthurKotb]

I rarely use these buttons but I know one of them requires you to hold it down for a few seconds. Maybe that's the RSCA button. Page 159 of my '04 manual says that if the center differential doesn't engage and the light flashes to drive straight ahead while accelerating. Cold weather really affects both the center differential and the 4LO action but warm weather doesn't. If your center differential doesn't lock after the manual's instructions I think you should take it to the dealership.