unable to release diff lock, only works in 4HI or 4LO

[wackyzacky110]

Hey there,
I just got an automatic 3rd gen with less than 100k miles for an insane deal. However, I'm having two issues. I would greatly appreciate help on both/either

1) I can only drive in 4HI or 4LOW. When I put the truck in park and move the diff selector to neutral, and then put it back in gear (drive or reverse), I can rev the engine, but its as if I'm in neutral gear. No resistance to rolling forward or backward. I have driven the truck several hundred miles on road, but it was in 4HI. Any thoughts as to causes or troubleshooting?

2) My parking brake does not engage at all. I pulled the console and took all the slack out of the cable. Later, I checked the bell crank mechanism and it seems to be totally seized. even if I pull on the end of the cable on the right rear wheel that goes to the bell crank, it just plain doesn't move.

Thank y'all for the help in advance!!

 

[pauldub]

You're putting the transfer case in neutral and expecting the vehicle to move? You need to put it in 2H.

 

[wackyzacky110]

There are only 3 selections to be made: H, N, and L4. Sorry for the n00b issue!

 

[SupaSupra]

There are only 3 selections to be made: H, N, and L4. Sorry for the n00b issue!

Assuming you have the multi-mode transfercase you need to be in H to move. Which should be 2H. The 4WD push button the the side of the shiftier is 4H.

 

[wackyzacky110]

Assuming you have the multi-mode transfercase you need to be in H to move. Which should be 2H. The 4WD push button the the side of the shiftier is 4H.

ah that is definitely the issue. my last truck was an old defender and had a totally different setup. Thanks for the quick response!

 

[pauldub]

Presummably you have an '01 or '02. You also have a switch that can lock the center diff when you're in 4Hi. I think it's on the dashboard.

 

[Hardizzy]

Assuming you have the multi-mode transfercase you need to be in H to move. Which should be 2H. The 4WD push button the the side of the shiftier is 4H.

On 01-02s, with the transfer case shifter in H, depressing the 4WD button on the shifter places in the truck in AWD -- green lights on gauge cluster come on. Still in H with the 4WD button depressed, now holding the diff lock button on the dash, orange center lock light comes on indicating the truck in 4WD. Moving the Shifter from H -> N -> L4 now puts the truck in L4. Or simply just move the shifter into the L4 position skipping button depressions.

4WD button depressed = AWD
4WD + center diff lock buttons depressed = 4WD

This process should be the same for certain Limited >2000.

 

[SupaSupra]

On 01-02s, with the transfer case shifter in H, depressing the 4WD button on the shifter places in the truck in AWD -- green lights on gauge cluster come on. Still in H with the 4WD button depressed, now holding the diff lock button on the dash, orange center lock light comes on indicating the truck in 4WD. Moving the Shifter from H -> N -> L4 now puts the truck in L4. Or simply just move the shifter into the L4 position skipping button depressions.

4WD button depressed = AWD
4WD + center diff lock buttons depressed = 4WD

This process should be the same for certain Limited >2000.

That's it. I thought I was missing something.

 

[Atomic6]

2) My parking brake does not engage at all. I pulled the console and took all the slack out of the cable. Later, I checked the bell crank mechanism and it seems to be totally seized. even if I pull on the end of the cable on the right rear wheel that goes to the bell crank, it just plain doesn't move.

My parking brake was frozen for a few years as well. Turned out to be the bell cranks like you said. I replaced mine with these from Dorman and it works perfectly now: http://a.co/biHTQH3