how do I test my rear diff lock?

[jester1467]

Hi Guys

When we out on Salisbury plain tried the rear difflock a couple of times, didnt get the light come on so couldn't tell whether it engaged or not.

Thought I would check it out now were back on solid gound but cant seem to find any definitive explanation on how to test it. Thought i'd seen it on the wiki before, but it might have been a thread?

Where do I start to check first? and any pointers would be good

[jed the spread]

Pull the plug off the switch next to the actuator and stick some wire across the two wires. If the light doesnt come on on the control panel then the switch is shagged. If it does then your pin isnt engaging. Quite easy to free it up on a van like yours if its stuck otherwise it could be a vacuum leak or the one way valve might be gone. Is there a whistling if you leave the engine running, then pull the knob and then turn the engine off and listen. Has it worked in the past?

jed

[syncropaddy]

If the light doesnt come on the odds are that the lock isnt engaging or its an electrical fault with the bulb or switch. If the lock is engaged on solid ground you will feel/hear/see the vehicle jump/skip when you turn in a circle on full steering lock. If the van doesnt hop all over the place then the lock has stuck

[jester1467]

Has it worked in the past?

When we first took the van out for a run when we bought it, to test it out it engaged but not very smoothly.

When I renewed the starter motor, had to remove it to fit it, checked it out then, switched/vacuum pushed the actuator pin in and out.

It has worked since.........when I did Abingdon in September...............I think

[jed the spread]

Has it worked in the past?

When we first took the van out for a run when we bought it, to test it out it engaged but not very smoothly.

When I renewed the starter motor, had to remove it to fit it, checked it out then, switched/vacuum pushed the actuator pin in and out.

It has worked since.........when I did Abingdon in September...............I think

Take the actuator off and see if its working still. If it is then take the switch out and put some gear oil in the hole the switch screws into, that should get it going again as it cant be that stuck. Have a look at the valve near the vacum bottle and see if it makes a buzz/whistle. The diaphragm can get abit hard and dry, give it a blast with some wd40 and that should get it going. I am no mechanic but that is what I would be doing first.

jed

[lloydy]

When mine suddenly stopped the other week, it was the tubing that joined the one way valve, it had split. I just cut it shorter and re-attached.
Hope it's something easy like that

[Aidan]

to test if working jack up one side of van, ie both wheels, one front, one rear, on axle stands, start engine in neutral, handbrake off, select diff lock and turn one of the free wheels until difflock engages when you won't be able to, test front and rear in the same way and if decoupler then add that in to the mix
if locks work and light doesn't then it's a switch or wiring fault easy enough to trace
use them every month at least somehow, or more regularly to check and keep them lubed, dissimilar metals corrode and stick together