The rear locker does not disengage

[Teji_walia]

Hi, I have a D5 MY18 3.0 diesel TD6 equipped with an active rear differential lock and having done 78000kms so far . About 15000 kms back the rear locker would not disengage when turning below 40 kmph and this would produce a lot of noise as if the differential teeth were slipping, something like loud thudding noise. Obviously the transmission is taking some abuse. This happens about 50% of the time. I presume it is some software issue where the rear locker doesn’t engage some times. Happens more often when on an incline and the noises are louder. Has anyone else faced this issue? If yes please advise. Thanks in advance.

Tejinder.

[IndusD4]

Hi Tejinder,

I thought the locking diff worked like a clutch so it can partially and fully engage, therefore I doubt that it is the sound of gears meshing but can imagine it causing stress on the drive components. As yours should still be under warranty I would take it in to a dealer as soon as possible. Also record the sound and the 4WD display showing the rear locker not dis-engaging. If anything it can avoid the "we couldn't find an issue" situation at the dealers.

Ron

[BobD]

It's highly likely that this is the trnsfer case causing this. It was an issue with L405 Range Rovers and mine had it. You need to change the transfer case oil and recalibrate the transfer case. Of course, it could be the same sort of issue with the rear locker, which is the same sort of clutch system as in the transfer case.

The symptoms you describe are exactly the same as mine, which was the transfer case. Always when turning at low speeds with slight acceleration or after four wheel driving.

There were instructions in Topix on what dealers had to do to fix it. That is what my indie followed and it hasn't returned in nearly 80,000km. Mine was at less than 40,000km at the time.

[greg-g]

I had a very loud clunk from the rear once when accelerating out of a tee junction uphill in the wet. It hasn’t done it since, nor have I been in a similar situation since.

[WhiteD3]

Maybe the tyres? My Pirelli Scorpion all terrain plus 275/55R20 with 42k on them now cause the diff to clunk on tight, slow corners.

Hi, I have a D5 MY18 3.0 diesel TD6 equipped with an active rear differential lock and having done 78000kms so far . About 15000 kms back the rear locker would not disengage when turning below 40 kmph and this would produce a lot of noise as if the differential teeth were slipping, something like loud thudding noise. Obviously the transmission is taking some abuse. This happens about 50% of the time. I presume it is some software issue where the rear locker doesn’t engage some times. Happens more often when on an incline and the noises are louder. Has anyone else faced this issue? If yes please advise. Thanks in advance.

Tejinder.

[101RRS]

Sounds like the plates in the diff are shuddering - gripping then slipping (like a worn torque converter) - maybe check oil level and type - maybe add a bit of Dr Tranny.

[Teji_walia]

Thanks Bob for the information. Could you please send me the document tree of topix or the link thereof where this information is given on how to fix this by recalibration etc.
Thanks a lot.

[Graeme]

Maybe the tyres? My Pirelli Scorpion all terrain plus 275/55R20 with 42k on them now cause the diff to clunk on tight, slow corners.

Tyres could not make the diff clunk - your vehicle has either a TC or rear diff issue.

[DiscoMick]

Have you tried reversing a short distance to see if it disengages?

[DirtDigger]

Hi, I have a D5 MY18 3.0 diesel TD6 equipped with an active rear differential lock and having done 78000kms so far . About 15000 kms back the rear locker would not disengage when turning below 40 kmph and this would produce a lot of noise as if the differential teeth were slipping, something like loud thudding noise. Obviously the transmission is taking some abuse. This happens about 50% of the time. I presume it is some software issue where the rear locker doesn’t engage some times. Happens more often when on an incline and the noises are louder. Has anyone else faced this issue? If yes please advise. Thanks in advance.

Tejinder.

I have not had any problems with this electric rear diff locker when used off road... probably one thing that hasnt intermittently failed on my D5!