Does e-Diff indicate on display during startup???

**Datt** · 6th January 2013, 08:05 AM

Hi all,

Background (feel free to scroll down to actual question below):

I'm looking at buying a D4 privately that's located interstate from me. One of my priorities is to have one with an e-diff. The D4 in question is claimed to have one in the ad, however on initial questioning the seller was a little vague in relation to it but insisted it had one.

I've since searched TOPIx with the VIN which indicates it has the standard open diff. Now I have already organised for a pre-purchase inspection of this vehicle by a local LR specialist but I don't want to pay for an inspection if it doesn't have the e-diff.

So, I've recontacted the seller and probed some more. Unfortunately a little gets lost in translation as he has a reasonably strong european accent. After the call he went away to investigate a little further for me.

Anyway, he called back and stated that he called the dealer he ordered the car from who stated that the e-diff should indicate on the display screen (which this one has) on start up. The seller says it does by something that illuminates at the centre diff and also at the rear diff on the display (some info lost in translation).

I will be contacting the gent who's doing the inspection to first look for the e-diff and if not located not to bother doing the rest of the inspection. But for peace of mind I was wondering if anyone here can confirm:

Here is the actual question:

For those with an e-diff and display screen, does the e-diff indicate during start up as apposed to one that doesn't have an e-diff?

Sorry for the long winded story. Thanks in advance.

Matt.

P.S. I've doen a fair bit of searching but couldn't find anything specific to my inquiry, so sorry if it's already been covered.

**weeds** · 6th January 2013, 08:11 AM

Pretty sure you can tell by looking at the diff from under the car.....I'm sure others will confirm this

**discojools** · 6th January 2013, 08:23 AM

Yes if you can see a thick cable coming out of the diff then you have an E-Locker. Best seen from passenger side of car.

**Graeme** · 6th January 2013, 08:32 AM

Ask him to raise the vehicle to off-road height then take 2 pictures, looking over each rear wheel towards the other side. In at least one of those the actuator motor should be discernible.

**Datt** · 6th January 2013, 08:33 AM

Thanks guys, I do realise this and ventured down this road with the seller but he didn't understand what I was talking about. I'll probaly have to just wait for the inspection where the mechanic will do just as you're saying.

**SBD4** · 6th January 2013, 08:41 AM

I think he might be talking about the 4x4 info screen. If so then that will display the location of both the centre diff and rear diff regardless of whether or not a rear e-diff exists. The only way you can tell if the rear e-diff is fitted based on the info on this screen is if you make the rear diff engage (by making the rear wheels lose traction ) in which case the symbol turns from green to red.

Also, if topix does not indicate that the vehicle has a rear e-diff then most likely it does not.

**kenl** · 6th January 2013, 08:52 AM

I do have an e-diff and there is nothing that comes up on the screen at at start up to indicate that it there, not that I've seen anyways.

Just went out and checked..... Nothing there to indicate e-diff.

**Datt** · 6th January 2013, 09:08 AM

Originally Posted by SBD4

I think he might be talking about the 4x4 info screen.

Correct. Looks like it doesn't have it. Looks like I'll keep looking.

**camel_landy** · 6th January 2013, 09:21 AM

To answer your question... No.

Remember that the centre diff on the T5 platform is also an e-Diff. The only way you can tell if a rear e-Diff is fitted is to get under the car & have a look for the actuator.

M

**WhiteD3** · 6th January 2013, 10:05 AM

Originally Posted by Datt

Correct. Looks like it doesn't have it. Looks like I'll keep looking.

Datt, don't fixate on the ediff as a must have. I have one on my d4 but not on the d3 I had for 4.5 years. I did plenty of off road work in it and seldom got stuck.

You are welcome to sight mine so you know what took for. I live south side and work bayside.

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