cant unlock center diff!!

[tyne]

you guessed it as the title says im having trouble unlocking my center diff.
im driving a 94 300tdi, recently changed all my oils and its currently holding 80w-90 the same as the front and rear. I can move the level all the way over but the indicator light remains on! I just checked the oil level in the transfer it is a little low but very bubbley? if that makes any sence??? Im on my way to get some top up oil now other than that has any1 got some hot tips for me I have about 4000k's ahead of my in the next week all h'way driving!
also I have ATF in the G'box if this makes any diffenerce

[Flipper]

You probably have windup between front and rear wheels.
Just jack up one wheel off the ground, rotate the wheel back and forth and it will pop out of center lock.

[tyne]

You probably have windup between front and rear wheels.
Just jack up one wheel off the ground, rotate the wheel back and forth and it will pop out of center lock.



That was easy, is there a way of fixing this next time without having to take the high lift off the roof.
If the answer is 'buy a bottle jack" feel free not to comment.
Thanks again

[Scouse]

You could try reversing on left or right lock.

Or, do as I do & hop a kerb/gutter. One wheel momentarily in the air gets rid of all the wind up :).

[TeamFA]

You could try reversing on left or right lock.

This normally sorts me out...

[dullbird]

You could try reversing on left or right lock.


Or, do as I do & hop a kerb/gutter. One wheel momentarily in the air gets rid of all the wind up :).

not everyone off roads at woolies like you though:p

[Brid]

Also worth keeping in mind...if your front tyres are worn more or less than your back ones, unlocking the centre diff will be more of a problem, due to the wind up occurring much faster.

[Scouse]

not everyone off roads at woolies like you though:pHey, don't knock it - there's some pretty mean speed humps at my local Woolies. I often need low range with a load of shopping in the back of the "Range".
Have a look at this beauty I tackled last week, damn near took my diff out:
http://jacksonsafety.com/images/Big/3007916.jpg

[dullbird]

Jesus do you really go all the way to Missouri for a shop?:D

[Scouse]

Jesus do you really go all the way to Missouri for a shop?:DThey have 20c off fuel shop-a-dockets there :).

[Judo]

It's not clear to me whether you've tried driving? You might have to drive for a few hundred metres for it to unlock. Normal behaviour if so.

[Reads90]

There is a couple of tricks

The most common to fix ( recommend by land rover ) is to as you are driving along the road ,plant your foot in the power and then quick take you foot off the power and let the car engine brake down . This will get it out of Diff lock

If you have tranmisson wind up which can also stoop diff lock coming out. Then find a grass verge or muddy slippery bit and wheel spin the car when you pull away. This undoes the tranmisson wind up. Making it so you can get diff lock out. Saves having to jack up the car and easy to do.

[Leyland1980]

or just reverse

[Bushie]

Disengaging the diff lock while still moving, and lifting off the power should see it disengage (light go out) fairly soon after.

If you disengage whilst stationary it may not unlock until you drive off, and then back off the power (usually during a gear change).

If it still doesn't release then you have some wind up. As others have said, put one side onto the shoulder/grass. Some fairly quick on/off power, reversing, or as a last resort jacking up (never had to go that far) should have the diff lock out.


Martyn

[Reads90]

I had a RRC that decided it would eat its Center diff

Locking the Center diff solid at 80ks This means all 4 wheels locked. Had to remove both props just to move the car.

Was driving along happy at 80ks when suddenly all 4 wheels lock. Bloke behind nearly went up he rear and then moaned that my brake lights did not work. I told him they did i just did not brake.
Not an experience I would like to repeat.

[marko66]

Hi All

Reads I am just trying to envision only driving a RRC at 80 kmh and come to the conclusion that you must have been offroading in traffic mate :):D

Regards Mark

[Reads90]

Hi All

Reads I am just trying to envision only driving a RRC at 80 kmh and come to the conclusion that you must have been offroading in traffic mate :):D

Regards Mark

I wish I was off road but this was on a main highway.

[Westie]

That was easy, is there a way of fixing this next time without having to take the high lift off the roof.
If the answer is 'buy a bottle jack" feel free not to comment.
Thanks again

Owner's manual: ... to unwind the transmission.."... reverse for a few meters.." and helps to swing the steering slightly from l to r.

[nedflanders]

Always used reverse if mine doesn't come out, usually no more than 6 feet backwards is all thats needed :)