Engaging Rear Locker

[Langzaiguy]

Is there a trick to engaging the rear locker? I put it in 4Lo (which works fine) but all I get is a red flashing light when I press the locker button. I've tried various sequences of putting it in neutral and whatnot. Thoughts? Suggestions?

 

[Jeremy556]

Is there a trick to engaging the rear locker? I put it in 4Lo (which works fine) but all I get is a red flashing light when I press the locker button. I've tried various sequences of putting it in neutral and whatnot. Thoughts? Suggestions?

Drive forward or backwards slowly, turn the steering wheel a bit. The more often you use it, the faster it locks and unlocks.

 

[FactoryRide]

Drive forward or backwards slowly, turn the steering wheel a bit. The more often you use it, the faster it locks and unlocks.

I have noticed this here lately.

 

[Jetboy]

Drive forward or backwards slowly, turn the steering wheel a bit. The more often you use it, the faster it locks and unlocks.

This. The locking mechanism is an electric servo pushing an internally splined collar over a splined shaft. The two have to match up before it can slide into "locked" position. That often requires a bit of movement of the axle components to align properly to engage. Inside kinda looks like this:

<iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KdYjJXsD57w?feature=player_detailpage" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[Langzaiguy]

Thanks guys! Just to be clear, it should be represented by a solid red light?

 

[FactoryRide]

Thanks guys! Just to be clear, it should be represented by a solid red light?

Yes.

 

[wfo9]

The e-lockers are little stubborn at times. I was riding in a friends rig this weekend that has Toyota e-lockers front and rear (it's a solid axle fully built Toyota pickup that is an amazing trail rig). Anyway, he has his e-locker manually wired up and they would still stick momentarily from time to time. Overall they work pretty well, but the engagement is not always instant like an air locker.

There also seems to be a bit of a break in period with all lockers. My air locker have always engaged instantly, but they were a bit stubborn about disengagement at first. Now they seem to be pretty much instant both on and on off.

 

[BlacknTan]

Yes, a break in period ..

My Eaton G-80 had it's "break in" period and hasn't worked since!:shocked:

Glad to see the Toyota system is completely different ... and seemingly much better!

 

[Boyds4Runner]

@OP I ran into the same question:

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/5th-gen-t4rs/184333-2015-4runner-e-locker-doesnt-enage.html

Sure enough as the others have already you just need some room to be able to drive forwards and or backwards and turn slightly to line up the gears.

I used it on a snow covered trail a few weeks back. Locks and unlocks seemed to take less time as I kept playing with it. Although unlocking seems to take longer still.

I too was originally worried when it wouldn't seem to lock in my short driveway when I first brought the truck home. It's apparently pretty normal to have to move a bit more to engage and dis-engage.

 

[wfo9]

Yes, a break in period ..

My Eaton G-80 had it's "break in" period and hasn't worked since!:shocked:

Glad to see the Toyota system is completely different ... and seemingly much better!

The G80 is a very unique low speed only auto locker that remains open when no wheel spin is detected (mechanically) and opens back up at anything over ~20mph.

The t4r trail edition has a selectable motorized rear locker. It is wired up so that you can only engage it in 4L.