OEM rear locker isnt working need input

[Illestreker]

I did the "blue wire mod" several months back and after I finished it I drove up to a dirt lot to test it out everything seemed to function normally as it should. Fast forward 4-5 months later without ever using it and yesterday I went off-roading with some friends. First time I went to engage the locker in 2wd going less than 5mph, it just blinked for a while I messed around with reverse/drive/neutral and it finally locked up and the rear lock light on the dash stopped blinking. I didn't really need it so I turned it off. few miles later I try turning it on and it kept blinking again and took about 10 minutes of playing with it to finally engage. I turned it off shortly after. Now I'm curious as to why its giving me trouble so once again few miles later we come to an open spot on the trail and I try to turn it on and no matter what I do the light wont stop blinking and it WILL NOT engage.

So today I wanted to make sure I did the blue wire mod correctly and double check my connections. Everything looks good and I even sanded down my ground connection to bare metal for better contact. Below is a pic, please tell me if it looks right to you.

Also I've read and been told that if the light continues to flash and the locker wont engage it could simply mean the actual locker is broke and no longer working. I hope this isn't my situation.

Locker will not work in 2wd 4hi or 4lo.

If it is broke is it difficult and costly to replace just the locker or would you suggest a whole new 3rd member?

 

[BlazeRunner]

Have you checked your rear diff fluid level? My locker used to hesitate before I swapped fluids, just a simple suggestion.

 

[Dous]

Your motor has likely just developed a little corrosion on the contacts.

Hit the button so it is trying to engage, crawl under the track and tap the motor all over with a hammer. It should engage pretty quickly

 

[BrianSD_42]

Sometimes on mine the light blinks indicating it isn't locked but it really IS locked, its just that the relay that sends a signal "lock engaged" is old and the dash indicates unlocked (blinking) anyways.

 

[Illestreker]

Your motor has likely just developed a little corrosion on the contacts.

Hit the button so it is trying to engage, crawl under the track and tap the motor all over with a hammer. It should engage pretty quickly

I'll give this a try but do you think if it's corroded it would be best to take it all apart and clean it fixing that particular potential cause?

Sometimes on mine the light blinks indicating it isn't locked but it really IS locked, its just that the relay that sends a signal "lock engaged" is old and the dash indicates unlocked (blinking) anyways.

I did notice that on the trail, the light was blinking but wanted to test it so I gave some gas and looked back to see if I made two tire marks in the dirt compared to just one and it did indeed leave 2. But this makes me a little nervous to drive around with it blinking because if it wasn't fully engaged I wouldn't want to tear up the teeth.

 

[BrianSD_42]

I think your fine but I'll let someone else comment on the tearing up teeth debate.

 

[PNW yota]

Not sure how tight the trails were you were on, but mine does this at times since the wire mod too. Though the wire mod was the first thing I did to it so I'm not sure how it acted prior =)

When trying to engage I could go forwards and backwards with no luck, but the second I went in either direction while turning it locked immediately. Not sure if it's something to do with needing the wheels spinning at different speeds to line the teeth up or what, but in a tight trail this may not be an option.

 

[BrianSD_42]

Just for reference... I haven't messed with my wires. All stock settings

 

[MyHigh]

Not sure how tight the trails were you were on, but mine does this at times since the wire mod too. Though the wire mod was the first thing I did to it so I'm not sure how it acted prior =)

When trying to engage I could go forwards and backwards with no luck, but the second I went in either direction while turning it locked immediately. Not sure if it's something to do with needing the wheels spinning at different speeds to line the teeth up or what, but in a tight trail this may not be an option.

Same with mine, my locker will blink until I slow down enough and turn. Usually nothing more then just rocking the steering wheel back and forth. I can hear my locker engage ( don't know if that's bad) but at least I know it's working!
Unless you have something major going on, I'm almost positive this is what's happening to yours. From what I understand it's just a matter of getting the two axles shafts to line up properly so the locking pin can pop in place. By turning you are slowing one or the other wheel, where when driving straight they never have the chance to align. I too have done the blue/gray wire mod and usually engage the locker once a month if I'm not using it, just make sure you are on a loose surface road when doing so you don't bind the gears.

Good luck

 

[Dous]

For your reference:

E-locker actuator rebuild - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

 

[Illestreker]

Not sure how tight the trails were you were on, but mine does this at times since the wire mod too. Though the wire mod was the first thing I did to it so I'm not sure how it acted prior =)

When trying to engage I could go forwards and backwards with no luck, but the second I went in either direction while turning it locked immediately. Not sure if it's something to do with needing the wheels spinning at different speeds to line the teeth up or what, but in a tight trail this may not be an option.

Same with mine, my locker will blink until I slow down enough and turn. Usually nothing more then just rocking the steering wheel back and forth. I can hear my locker engage ( don't know if that's bad) but at least I know it's working!
Unless you have something major going on, I'm almost positive this is what's happening to yours. From what I understand it's just a matter of getting the two axles shafts to line up properly so the locking pin can pop in place. By turning you are slowing one or the other wheel, where when driving straight they never have the chance to align. I too have done the blue/gray wire mod and usually engage the locker once a month if I'm not using it, just make sure you are on a loose surface road when doing so you don't bind the gears.

Good luck

I did every thing possible when I was "messing" with it trying to engage... R,D turning in a slow "S", sharp turns etc. I did everything possible for over 10 minutes to get it to lock. First time it locked up after just a couple turns, second time 30 minutes later it locked up but took some messing with, 3rd and 4th times I tried I messed with it in a open maneuverable area for 15 minutes with no luck.

For your reference:

E-locker actuator rebuild - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Thanks for the link.

Next I'll see if the actuator is gummed up and clean it and go from there.

 

[Illestreker]

Well today I played with the locker for a few minutes in a large dirt parking lot and made a few conclusions.

1. The locker is engaging and locking up when the button is pushed even though the light is blinking.

2. With it engaged, light blinking, come to a complete stop and push the button to turn it off the light stops blinking and now just lights up like it should saying its locked until I drive a few feet and then it disengages and goes off.

So, what I find weird is that when you turn the locker on it blinks constantly but is engaged and then when you go to turn it off the light lights up as it should until the locker disengages. Seems to me like a sensor issue. Although mechanically its seems to be fine now.

 

[BrianSD_42]

. Seems to me like a sensor issue. Although mechanically its seems to be fine now.

So yours is just like mine and works perfectly with only a minor sensor glitch.

My suggestion is to leave it alone since it works fine.

 

[MyHigh]

Man that's weird, I am absolutely horrible when it comes to electrical, if you decide to chase the problem keep us posted, with 200,000 plus miles and probably never activated till I bought it I'm sure problems are in my future and will need all the help I can get.

Besides all the problems you've had it's still a sweet mod

So, the RR diff light is acting funny, how bout the ABS light?
Is that light turning on at all during the process?

 

[Illestreker]

Yes but abs light is supposed to come on when you turn on the locker. If anyone needs/wants to service there locker the link Dous posted is great, probably not a bad idea to do it. Like most parts, things need to be cleaned and re lubricated.

 

[MyHigh]

Okay just curious I would think if it was a sensor then the abs would be acting funny as well, assuming they work off the same sensor.

That link is really informative