Author Topic: '99 Tacoma E-Locker Trouble... (Read 12158 times)

AmBush175 · « **on:** Oct 13, 2005, 06:23:21 PM »

I just purchased a 1999 Toyota Tacoma with an Electric Diff-Locker. I followed the owners manual step-by-step and the locker will not engage; the light just continues to blink.

What steps can I take for trouble shooting this locker?

Is this a common problem with the Electric lockers for Toyota??

I appreciate any input on this subject........Thanks!!!

reklund5 · « **Reply #1 on:** Oct 13, 2005, 08:33:42 PM »

Be sure your transfer case is in 4LO. It will not engage unless in low range, unless you've modded the wiring.

Get on some dirt. They don't like to engage on pavement (too much traction to limit wheel slippage)

Turn the steering wheel left-to-right back and forth while traveling slowly- not accelerating or decelerating, but just coasting on the throttle (so theres no tension on the drivetrain)

It should engage fine that way. If not, you'll have to pull an inspection cover on the locker motor housing to be sure that its working. You might also try changing the fluid in the rear diff and driving around for a day or two. Sometimes the old fluid gunks up the locker mechanism- it's just a shift fork like in a transmission, so it's pretty finicky and depends on smooth lubed surfaces to move easily.

Try that! $Beer Chug\'n$

Ryan

AmBush175 · « **Reply #2 on:** Oct 15, 2005, 11:10:26 AM »

Dude, Thank you very MUCH for the great info!!!!

I will go and try her out!! I will get back with you if I have anymore problems/???s, Thanks!

reklund5 · « **Reply #3 on:** Oct 15, 2005, 08:43:15 PM »

Well, did you get it to work?

AmBush175 · « **Reply #4 on:** Oct 15, 2005, 09:17:13 PM »

I did just what you said; I worked it out in my yard just allowing it to "idle" around and it "slowed" down the "blinking" but it never went solid. Then I cleaned all the connectors and it will still not engage. I guess that I am forced to take off the cover and "check it out" to see what she looks like under the skin! But, before I do that I am going to drain all the fluid out and change it in the morning to see if that will do the trick; then I wll break her down and take the cover off.

Is there a chance that it could be in the switch on the dash?
If you have another step that I can take after I do all of this just let me know dude!

Thanks again for all your input and help dealing with this "locker problem"!

kiyul4130 · « **Reply #5 on:** Oct 15, 2005, 09:36:49 PM »

i heard that those wont engage if your going more than 15mph to.

reklund5 · « **Reply #6 on:** Oct 16, 2005, 07:53:31 AM »

The only other thing you might try is jacking up the rear end and putting it in 4LO with the engine idling and the tranny in NEUTRAL. Then slowly rotate the rear wheels by hand and see if you can get it to engage. If not, sounds like its gummed up and you'll have to pull the inspection cover and see whats going on.

AmBush175 · « **Reply #7 on:** Oct 16, 2005, 01:05:47 PM »

Will do!!

I am off to see if I can get the locker to engage this way...(jacking it up)

If that doesn't work the inspection plate is next.

Is there a write up (*anywhere you know of) about the Toyota Electric Locker?

Thanks dude.

reklund5 · « **Reply #8 on:** Oct 16, 2005, 06:58:12 PM »

I'm sure theres about a bazillion write ups...check on pirate 4x4 and ih8mud.com

Be sure to SEARCH before you go posting questions there- those guys will flame you for asking any questions if you haven't searched...

Ryan

AmBush175 · « **Reply #9 on:** Oct 17, 2005, 07:13:46 AM »

Right on.....thanks

AmBush175 · « **Reply #10 on:** Oct 17, 2005, 08:51:12 PM »

I have done them all dude; it still will not engage.

Still working on it. Thanks for all the help man!

FIREBALL · « **Reply #11 on:** Oct 18, 2005, 06:20:22 AM »

There are some wiring diagrams on here somewhere. They were posted for guys installing the taco locker in earlier trucks, but they could help you.
If you can find the "lock" wire at the locker itself, you could see if you are getting any voltage when you throw the switch. Then you'll know if it's a wiring issue, or possibly a bad motor or gummed up mechinism.

AmBush175 · « **Reply #12 on:** Oct 18, 2005, 07:03:11 PM »

Thanks dude! I will look around for the wiring diagram and see what I can "uncover".

Thanks dudes for everyones input; it is really helping out! Not knowing a lot about the Toy E-locker really gets me sometimes......

$Beer Chug\'n$ Thanks again!!

reklund5 · « **Reply #13 on:** Oct 18, 2005, 08:53:16 PM »

I'd remove the actuator from the diff and see if you can move the shift fork by hand to get it to engage. If that works, then try to get the actuator to actuate by pressing the button on the dash with it in 4LO. If the actuator turns, it may just have to be reinstalled properly. (They kinda have to be timed...) Do a search and see if someone has the instructions scanned from the factory service manual. I might be able to photocopy and scan the stuff from a book at work if you need....

Ryan

AmBush175 · « **Reply #14 on:** Oct 19, 2005, 06:48:41 PM »

Dude, I will continue to search for the info..........but if you have the time, and don't make a special trip, but that would be the freaking "shinizal" if you could email me copies of the diagram/breakdown of the locker/rear diff. They will be hot

but give me the word and I will mail them out dude!!

Thanks

tlucero175@alltel.net

BUDDERS · « **Reply #15 on:** Nov 09, 2005, 09:56:15 PM »

I remember my buddy had a problem with his '01 trd taco that was similar to this, but his front wheel drive would not engage. I found that his actuator on the front diff got water in it through a breather hole in the mechanism and seized. It didn't hurt the diff any, but we had to install a new acutator with the truck on the ground - fun for all ages.

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #16 on:** Nov 10, 2005, 10:00:12 AM »

i looked at mine on the bench and Ryan is right it needs to be "timed" right to work right, hence the gear must be all the way engaged when the actuater is engaged, then when the unit is disengaged it just moves out and whalla

AmBush175 · « **Reply #17 on:** Nov 13, 2005, 12:38:59 PM »

So what you guys are saying is that I need to take a look at my front diff and make sure that it is engaging correctly........correct? You say if the "timing" of them both is off then neither one will engage properly?

reklund5 · « **Reply #18 on:** Nov 13, 2005, 09:20:15 PM »

No, the timing of the actuator motor and the shift fork in the diff must be properly timed for everything to get along. The front diff has no effect on the operation of the rear locker, other than if the 4wd indicator on the dash isn't illuminated steadily (which only happens once the front diff has engaged via the vacuum actuator) then the rear elocker won't be activated.

Basically, if you can get it into 4wd and the light on the dash is steady, then you problem is limited to the rear diff, diff actuator, or rear locker ECU. I'd suspect a mechanical problem in the rear locker way before I went chasing electrical gremlins...

Ryan

AmBush175 · « **Reply #19 on:** Nov 16, 2005, 04:50:39 PM »

Thanks Ryan! I am just going to break the rear end down when I have a chance in the very near future.

BTW Ryan, did you ever have a chance to get your hands on a diagram/breakdown of the rear end/e-locker for a Taco?

Thanks dude.

Crawler677 · « **Reply #20 on:** Nov 17, 2005, 03:26:49 PM »

Take a look at the actuator, being the motor and stuff that moves the shift fork, it bolts right next to the Input, i havent been able to use my locker because the owner before me hit it on something and shattered the casing

that actuator costs over 800 bucks too, from toyota that is, so if anybody has one there willing to let go of cheap that would be great

unless thats AMBUSH's problem, in that case he can have dibs on it <<--- (thats how I "dont" hijack threads)

AmBush175 · « **Reply #21 on:** Nov 18, 2005, 11:11:52 AM »

Thanks dude.........I will check it out.

Ric · « **Reply #22 on:** Nov 26, 2006, 06:50:48 PM »

any luck with this ? as my actuator is bad also

Ric · « **Reply #23 on:** Dec 01, 2006, 12:25:21 PM »

how did this work out ?

AmBush175 · « **Reply #24 on:** Dec 03, 2006, 07:53:38 AM »

I still have not had a chance to break the rear end down...but after talking here and to others off line it sounds to me to be the actuator; and that thing cost almost a grand from Toyota dudes!

bcoop2004 · « **Reply #25 on:** Dec 07, 2006, 02:47:42 PM »

Jack up the rear of the truck and put it on jackstands. Press the button for the locker. Grab one tires and rotate it back and forth to see if it will engage. you will hear a click when it engages. Try tapping on the elocker to see if you can jar it loose.

79coyotefrg · « **Reply #26 on:** Dec 07, 2006, 04:27:34 PM »

Tim, its easy to "time" the actuator motor, do what Brad said, if it dont work then remove the actuator only, then use a screw driver and lock the unit, then use the switch to "lock" the actuator then reinstall

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