Thread: Proof of Active Locking Rear Differential

I was curious, so I looked into the D3 on wikipedia: Your Nav/DVD screen should have a setting for '4WD information'. When selected, it shows ride height,angles of wheels, status of locking center diff. Given that the rear locking diff is factory fitted, it's status should also be shown.

Take the Disco to some mud and try it out. If it has a locking rear diff, you should see something on the screen.

Or, is there some extra wires or a solenoid somewhere around the rear diff housing? (It is electric after all...)

The indication is only available if you have a fully optioned satnav screen installed. Apart from that there is no real way of telling if it has an electronic diff unless you put 1 wheel up on a ramp that will lift the opposing wheel off the ground. A difflock equipped D3 will proceed up the ramp with only 2 wheels on the ground, one without the difflock will not. The other method that comes to mind is to put your vin into one of the online tools, that may tell you if the difflock was fitted as they are a factory only option.
Regards,
Tote

Edit: I just put my VIN through CALVIN and it only tells me it is RHD, 2008 model and auto. Maybe a phone call to the dealer with the VIN number might help.

Originally Posted by langy

Your Nav/DVD screen should have a setting for '4WD information'.

Not on an S you won't - unless you also have the HiICE and Nav options!

You can visually identify the control solenoid on top of the diff. See
Land Rover Electronic Rear Differential - Cutaway Creations

for an idea of what to look for.

Cheers,

Gordon

Originally Posted by gghaggis

You can visually identify the control solenoid on top of the diff. See
Land Rover Electronic Rear Differential - Cutaway Creations

for an idea of what to look for.

Cheers,

Gordon

Thanks Gordon, that's an excellent site for getting to know the D3's innards!

Thanks langy - you were spot on with the solenoid suggestion.

Cheers
John

Originally Posted by Tote

The indication is only available if you have a fully optioned satnav screen installed. Apart from that there is no real way of telling if it has an electronic diff unless you put 1 wheel up on a ramp that will lift the opposing wheel off the ground. A difflock equipped D3 will proceed up the ramp with only 2 wheels on the ground, one without the difflock will not. The other method that comes to mind is to put your vin into one of the online tools, that may tell you if the difflock was fitted as they are a factory only option.
Regards,
Tote

Edit: I just put my VIN through CALVIN and it only tells me it is RHD, 2008 model and auto. Maybe a phone call to the dealer with the VIN number might help.

I'd be thinking just normal TC will keep it driving up a ramp....but I could be wrong.


All I know is that when they are working they work reeeeeeealy well.

Gordon you are a genius. I have viewed the images on cutaway creations and a few minutes ago I poked a torch under the back wheel arch and spied a solenoid sitting on top of my back diff!