Possible Rear/Front Diff Lock Issue

[kilian73]

Hey, so when I try to unlock my rear (or rear/front) diff lockers, most of the time it just flashes and does not unlock. I have had to drive it a ways to get it to finally unlock. Is this normal or should it unlock and the light turn off right away? I have only had this jeep for about a month now and want to take it in to get it fixed if there is an issue.

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[CarbonSteel]

Have you checked your locker modules inside the diff to see if they are filling up with oil?

They need to be potted:

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/locker-position-sensor-potting-dana-44.59581/

 

[kilian73]

So them not unlocking right away isn't normal?

(edited to change it from locking to unlocking.)

 

[CarbonSteel]

So them not locking right away isn't normal?

Mine do not immediately lock, it can take a rotation or two to lock.

I would check those modules though, if they fill with oil, they will eventually fail and the lockers will not work at all.

 

[kilian73]

Mine lock immediately.
I am trying to find out if it is normal for them to not unlock right away. My light sits there and blinks until I drive it for a hundred feet or so.
This is my first wrangler and I am just trying to see if this how they normally work or if there is an issue with mine so I can take it back to the dealer to get it fixed.

 

[chevymitchell]

Mine lock immediately.
I am trying to find out if it is normal for them to not unlock right away. My light sits there and blinks until I drive it for a hundred feet or so.
This is my first wrangler and I am just trying to see if this how they normally work or if there is an issue with mine so I can take it back to the dealer to get it fixed.

This is normal.

However, you need to pot those sensors immediately.

 

[DavidArmen]

Because of the mechanical design of the Eaton electronic lockers, the axle needs to rotate a little for the locker to lock/unlock. It’s about half a revolution, so it shouldn’t take a hundred feet but you absolutely need to roll forwards a little to fully lock/unlock your axles. Though it may possibly take a little longer to unlock if there is any binding between the left and right tires.

 

[jessedacri]

Mine lock immediately.
I am trying to find out if it is normal for them to not unlock right away. My light sits there and blinks until I drive it for a hundred feet or so.
This is my first wrangler and I am just trying to see if this how they normally work or if there is an issue with mine so I can take it back to the dealer to get it fixed.

Absolutely normal. Not the most scientific description: the solenoid actuates when you hit the button but due to the fact that the axle / diff may be under load it can't actually pull the part that locks the diff in or out of service until the axle ends up in a neutral enough state where the locker can successfully move. It's kind of similar to how the swaybar disconnect works, it's "in progress" until the load on the sway bar is equalized and the actuator can pull itself out. There is not enough torque delivered by the electric components to instantly engage/disengage in every situation, given that load on these parts can vary greatly.

The lockers may also not lock immediately every single time, depending on what exactly you're doing when you call for a lock - this is also normal operation.

You'll notice the axles lock/unlock more readily if you're on relatively flat ground and push the throttle gently a couple times so you are slowly cycling through forward-load and coasting. If you're all twisted up on an obstacle and are trying to unlock, it may take some finagling to get them to unlock right away.

 

[Some Random Guy]

Yup, normal to take a bit to unlock.

 

[CarbonSteel]

Mine lock immediately.
I am trying to find out if it is normal for them to not unlock right away. My light sits there and blinks until I drive it for a hundred feet or so.
This is my first wrangler and I am just trying to see if this how they normally work or if there is an issue with mine so I can take it back to the dealer to get it fixed.

Mine can (and sometimes will) blink on lock or unlock--it just depends. But within a few wheel rotations, the cycle will complete. So I would say your experience is completely normal.

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