Thread: Diff lock indicator light

I'm not aware of any hi/low switch, only the diff lock switch.

although hi/low and diff lock linkages are practically side by side, it would be hard to mix them up. I assume you can select hi/low as normal.

Hi and low can be selected while the centre diff is locked/unlocked.

The diff lock switch is operated when the selector is moved to the lock position, but not necessarily when the diff is locked.

There are 2 wires on the switch, one from the indicator lamp and the other to earth. When the switch closes the current can flow through the lamp. It doesn't matter which terminal on the switch is which wire.

The other switch in that area is for reverse lamp. These wires for the reverse and diff lock switches have been known to be mixed up before today.

Sorry I can't be of more help.

I think there is a low/high switch in the newer models because it changes the fuelling (can see if in hi/low using Nancom) in the ecu. Sounds like the connector is on the wrong switch..

spent today removing the transmission tunnel to investigate. RAVE states that both the Diff lock warning lamp and the Hi-lo warning switches have a nut spacer attached to the switch. I have neither on both, just a alloy sealing washer. Having said that I have never had HI-lo warning till now, is that normal? I have always had a diff lock warning in hi or low range until recently.The pic of the switch in RAVE looks different to mine (03 Defender) can anyone confirm the existence of the nut/spacer?

Originally Posted by crump

spent today removing the transmission tunnel to investigate. RAVE states that both the Diff lock warning lamp and the Hi-lo warning switches have a nut spacer attached to the switch. I have neither on both, just a alloy sealing washer. Having said that I have never had HI-lo warning till now, is that normal? I have always had a diff lock warning in hi or low range until recently.The pic of the switch in RAVE looks different to mine (03 Defender) can anyone confirm the existence of the nut/spacer?

I'm assuming the later case may have a H-L switch to tell the ECU your in low to alter throttle response, but never played TD5's

Originally Posted by Panya

I think there is a low/high switch in the newer models because it changes the fuelling (can see if in hi/low using Nancom) in the ecu. Sounds like the connector is on the wrong switch..

Oops, already mentioned

I have an 01 extreme, no hi/lo light on that model.Does have the diff lock light.I had some trouble getting the light activating/diff lock on...turned out the metal "gasket" that sits between the rubber boot and the tfr case had too small an opening to allow the hi/lo/diff lock lever to travel far enough to acivate(the oxy soon sorted that...), the rubber boot over the selectorlever can also put a fair bit of pressure on the lever and pull it out of lock mode, especially if it's only just got enough travel to be in...

I only have the difflock light on the dash as well, but there are two switches. One on the transfer case closest to the stubby lever which is activated when moving from either low to hi or into difflock (RAVE calls this one Diff lock warning light) and the other on the gearbox which RAVE calls the HI-Lo warning switch.I cant see how the switches could have been mixed up as they both have different connectors and wouldnt reach anyway, all I can summise is that the spacer nut mentioned in RAVE has been left off and is causing the switch to activate incorrectly as it is sitting deeper in the T/case.

Originally Posted by crump

I only have the difflock light on the dash as well, but there are two switches. One on the transfer case closest to the stubby lever which is activated when moving from either low to hi or into difflock (RAVE calls this one Diff lock warning light) and the other on the gearbox which RAVE calls the HI-Lo warning switch.I cant see how the switches could have been mixed up as they both have different connectors and wouldnt reach anyway, all I can summise is that the spacer nut mentioned in RAVE has been left off and is causing the switch to activate incorrectly as it is sitting deeper in the T/case.

The diff lock switch on all of the LT230's I have had experience with (earlier than yours) screw into the front extension housing and have a lock nut. It is possible that the switch is a different design now and needs a spacer to set the height correctly.

If the switch is screwed in too far, it will stop the centre diff from locking - even if the switch is actuated to say it is locked. (edit: similar problems with not locking occur if the plunger in the switch is not free enough)

The shift fork for the dog clutch that locks the centre diff is pushed into the diff lock position by springs. The lever/linkages only push against the springs, which are not strong enough to push the fork past the switch if it is adjusted down too far.