Just got a 98 Limited with e-locker.

I went to a dirt lot to test the 4wd and rear locker. 4wd works fine but when I hit the rr lock button the light just flashes. It’s the slow flash indicating its trying to engage as opposed to the faster one that would indicate you’re not in 4lo.

So I jacked up the rear end so the tires were off the ground, front tires were still on the ground. I turned the ignition to on but didn’t start the engine so I could hear any electric motor movement.

I hit the 4wd button and heard a noise which made me think the ADD triggered. I went back and spun the rear wheels and they went in opposite directions as expected with an open diff. Then I hit the rr lock button and I heard an obvious electronic motor sound. After that the wheels would not spin more than an inch or so and made a clunk sound when I initially tried to spin them.

Does this mean the locker is engaging even though the rr lock light is blinking? I had an 86 with an ARB rear so I could do the same test in 2wd and the wheels would spin in the same direction when the diff was locked, opposite direction when the diff was open.

I know this topic has been covered at length but read dozens of threads and couldn’t find anyone with these symptoms.

thanks for the help

 

Should also mention I did slow s turns forward and backward and all that

 

If the front tires were on the ground, and the truck was in 4x4, you would not be able to rotate either rear wheel by hand if the locker was engaged.

 

So is the light blinking because the sensor that tells the truck the the locker is engaged is malfunctioning, or is it possible the locker is only partially engaged. I certainly don’t want to cause any damage

 

Either case is possible. You could unthread the sensor and push the plunger manually to see how the dash light responds to see if the switch works. You could also lock the locker and remove the motor/actuator to see if the fork is fully moved over. Be aware getting it all assembled correctly again takes a slight bit of knowledge above and beyond just putting the bolts back in. There is a bit of gear timing involved.

 

Wouldn't hurt to do the grey wire mod so you can attempt to engage the RR Diff Lock in 2WD or 4H, takes about 10 minutes to do if you have a ring terminal or 2 lying around. If the rear is locked you will know it when you turn sharply as the inside tire will be trying to spin even on dry pavement which is hard on the rear diff but will confirm engagement.