Thread: Puma diff lock not engaging

Originally Posted by Perth 110

I've had my 2008 Puma since xmas time and had it out quite a bit on weekends. I dont always use the diff locks, but when I need to, it doesnt engage easily. I find I have to muck around with the levers and the clutch trying to get the dashboard light to come on, so I know its in. Any ideas oin fixing this so it slips in first go? John

Assuming no actual problem like a sticking shaft - Just apply a firm pressure to the left on the shift while going easy, keep the pressure on the shift and steer a little one way then t'other, dip the clutch pedal briefly if needed. When it's ready it will slip in and you can release the press on the shift. It's not like a syncro gearbox, it can take a little while.

Do a bit of a search on here. There's a few posts about how to engage because I had trouble with mine. I'm feeling lazy otherwise I'd find it and link for you. 😉

The light will not necessarily illuminate straight away when you select diff lock, the diff lock dog will engage when the splines line up which will often be after the wheels have moved a bit. Likewise when disengaging, there can be a delay in the diff lock dropping out (and the light switching off) after you move the lever to disengage, particularly if there is a bit of wind-up load on the centre diff.

On our D1 it was sometimes necessary to roll forwards several metres before the lock engaged, and to roll backwards a short distance before it disengaged.

Originally Posted by POD

The light will not necessarily illuminate straight away when you select diff lock, the diff lock dog will engage when the splines line up which will often be after the wheels have moved a bit. Likewise when disengaging, there can be a delay in the diff lock dropping out (and the light switching off) after you move the lever to disengage, particularly if there is a bit of wind-up load on the centre diff.

That is exactly what I get - often it will engage (light on) straight away - other times I need to roll forward to get the light on. And with the disengage I often need to roll forward to get the light off.

I was out on the weekend and at one time I engaged CDL and the light did not go on - I moved forward and still no light - then it started flashing - then after a few more meters the light went solid.

Sounds normal to me.

I've found when going from 4HI to 4LO or the other way I need to clutch in to take it out of 4HI, put it in neutral, then clutch out and clutch back in to put it in 4LO

this isn't necessary every time but have found this helps when it's not co-operating

Thanks guys. It seems I have a normal defender. Just play around with it, move forwards and backwards, clutch in, clutch out and so on. Worked well up at Wilbinga on the weekend, but it doesnt really like those soft sand dunes. My mate was in a DMax and made it up fairly easily. Bugger. But, the CDL made a big difference though.
Has anyone put back or front lockers on as a separate way of locking just one diff?