Troubleshooting Diff Lock Issues

Guys, I remember there was a couple of threads about post 2012 patrols with rear diff lock not engaging

I can not find any at all

Any one remember the issue or can help me search?

Its holding up my current sale unfortunatelly. Its booked into Nissan on the 18th but i would
like to resolve the issue before then.

Basicaly, when i turn the rear diff lock on the light flashes and wont go solid to say its engaged

Cheers








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Only thing I could find is the following .
My understanding of the e-locker is that it dose use the original ring gear and pinion gear. So if the factory diff lock has different specs to the LSD, which the e-locker has been adapted for it won't fit. As there is an e-locker for the front and a different one for the rear, they don't have one for the factory diff lock which makes sence. That could be a reason for it being incompadable. As for your factory locker, when I got my patrol I found that the diff lock wouldn't work. I was given advice just to tap the diff housing with a hammer to free things up a bit. I must say I gave it a bit more than a tap but it has been working perfectly ever since and I actuate it a least once a month just to keep things freed up.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by GQtdauto

Only thing I could find is the following .
My understanding of the e-locker is that it dose use the original ring gear and pinion gear. So if the factory diff lock has different specs to the LSD, which the e-locker has been adapted for it won't fit. As there is an e-locker for the front and a different one for the rear, they don't have one for the factory diff lock which makes sence. That could be a reason for it being incompadable. As for your factory locker, when I got my patrol I found that the diff lock wouldn't work. I was given advice just to tap the diff housing with a hammer to free things up a bit. I must say I gave it a bit more than a tap but it has been working perfectly ever since and I actuate it a least once a month just to keep things freed up.

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I'll give that a shot tomorrow. Cheers

From memory I remember some connector being loose as well so I'll check all that too







................on the road

It's normally the vacuum solenoid mounted on the passenger side firewall that fails. It's worth while checking the wire that runs down to the rear diff, make sure it hasn't been damaged or cut in two.

The problem with mine was it had stripped the teeth off the diff lock assembly inside the diff.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yendor

It's normally the vacuum solenoid mounted on the passenger side firewall that fails. It's worth while checking the wire that runs down to the rear diff, make sure it hasn't been damaged or cut in two.

The problem with mine was it had stripped the teeth off the diff lock assembly inside the diff.

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Thanks Rod, I'll have a look. Any chance of a pic mate?? Please best buddy...lol

Was it a big job in your case? Mine is still under warranty so I could be lucky but as you know Nissan is a bunch of pricks..lol







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What do you want a picture of? the vacuum solenoid?. I don't have the remains of the rear locker apart from some loose teeth. I've heard some people were able to get warranty and some people weren't able to get warranty with the stripped teeth. I just went for an E-Locker replacement.

The first thing I would check if was I was you would be the electrical wire and vacuum hoses that run down to the rear diff. Then check the vacuum solenoid operation.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yendor

What do you want a picture of? the vacuum solenoid?. I don't have the remains of the rear locker apart from some loose teeth. I've heard some people were able to get warranty and some people weren't able to get warranty with the stripped teeth. I just went for an E-Locker replacement.

The first thing I would check if was I was you would be the electrical wire and vacuum hoses that run down to the rear diff. Then check the vacuum solenoid operation.

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Yeah I was after the vac solonoid pic but I'm pretty sure I found it.

I was actually thinking it was an electronic locker from day one till I saw all the air lines

Thanks Rod, ITs ganna go either way









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I can get of photo of it if you like. Just let me know if you need it. It's mounted to the firewall just below the LHS bonnet hinge.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yendor

I can get of photo of it if you like. Just let me know if you need it. It's mounted to the firewall just below the LHS bonnet hinge.

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The vac solanoid looks ing good shape, like new really

This is the bit I'm worried about as it's a bit out of shape

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/04/77.jpg







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It’s a bit hard to tell by the photo, what’s a bit out of shape? The whole unit where it mounts to the diff or the connection of the bottom vacuum hose.

The bottom vacuum hose is for diff lock off. The top vacuum hose in your picture is diff lock on.

Thats the actuator. Vac solenoid is passenger side of the car up on the firewall in the engine bay.
Most people including myself who have had issues with them have changed them out for a MAC solenoid valve.
Mine was rusted internally and stuck the valve shut so it wouldnt engage same as yours.
About $180 but well worth it. The locking of the diff now feels quicker to engage and disengage

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yendor

It’s a bit hard to tell by the photo, what’s a bit out of shape? The whole unit where it mounts to the diff or the connection of the bottom vacuum hose.

The bottom vacuum hose is for diff lock off. The top vacuum hose in your picture is diff lock on.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nisshead

The vac solanoid looks ing good shape, like new really

This is the bit I'm worried about as it's a bit out of shape

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/04/77.jpg







................on the road

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It looks like its been pushed up a bit. I will take another photo froma different angle







...........on the road

http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/04/80.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/04/81.jpg @Yendor






................on the road

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike02Ti

Thats the actuator. Vac solenoid is passenger side of the car up on the firewall in the engine bay.
Most people including myself who have had issues with them have changed them out for a MAC solenoid valve.
Mine was rusted internally and stuck the valve shut so it wouldnt engage same as yours.
About $180 but well worth it. The locking of the diff now feels quicker to engage and disengage

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

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Do you know if they can be fixed?
I don't mind spending a couple of hundred to get it sorted.

I know Nissan will blame my aftermarket exhaust to be the issue...lol







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Ok got it back in shape but no cigar, still not engaging.

Thinking the vac solanoid could be the issue.







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With the engine running and the diff lock switch on you should have vacuum in that top hose only at the diff.

When you switch the diff lock switch off you should have vacuum in the lower hose only.

The stock solenoid cant be fixed. They fall to bits if you try to get inside them. Nissan could replace them if need be but i have no idea on cost.
I have attached a few pics of my MAC valve.
I even bent the original bracket to mount the MAC onto. Some have made their own brackets to hold them. Took about 20 mins to do including wiring the 3 wires up into the original harness.
Its dead easy

Part number was 45A-AC1-DDBA-1BA
I also ordered fittings to suit with it. So you will need a breather and 3 x push type fittings if you set it up the same way as mine. I think it was 4mm line I used which I ordered 1m of it. You dont need that much but I kept it as spares and its cheap.
I rung MAC direct and they were more than helpful and overnight bagged it to me as well.http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/04/83.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/04/84.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/04/85.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/04/86.jpg

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yendor

With the engine running and the diff lock switch on you should have vacuum in that top hose only at the diff.

When you switch the diff lock switch off you should have vacuum in the lower hose only.

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I'll get onto this shortly







...........on the road

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yendor

With the engine running and the diff lock switch on you should have vacuum in that top hose only at the diff.

When you switch the diff lock switch off you should have vacuum in the lower hose only.

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Ok,

With the engine running and locker ON there is definetly no vaccume on the top hose.

With locker OFF there is vaccume on the bottom hose







................on the road

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Mike02Ti

The stock solenoid cant be fixed. They fall to bits if you try to get inside them. Nissan could replace them if need be but i have no idea on cost.
I have attached a few pics of my MAC valve.
I even bent the original bracket to mount the MAC onto. Some have made their own brackets to hold them. Took about 20 mins to do including wiring the 3 wires up into the original harness.
Its dead easy

Part number was 45A-AC1-DDBA-1BA
I also ordered fittings to suit with it. So you will need a breather and 3 x push type fittings if you set it up the same way as mine. I think it was 4mm line I used which I ordered 1m of it. You dont need that much but I kept it as spares and its cheap.
I rung MAC direct and they were more than helpful and overnight bagged it to me as well.http://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/04/83.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/04/84.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/04/85.jpghttp://www.nissanpatrol.com.au/forum...2017/04/86.jpg

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

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Thank you so much buddy. Great help

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nisshead

Ok,

With the engine running and locker ON there is definetly no vaccume on the top hose.

With locker OFF there is vaccume on the bottom hose







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@Yendor








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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nisshead

Ok,

With the engine running and locker ON there is definetly no vaccume on the top hose.

With locker OFF there is vaccume on the bottom hose

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Okay so either the vacuum solenoid is faulty or you have a leak in the vacuum hose between the solenoid and diff.

Do the same vacuum test at the solenoid. Remove one out going vacuum hose at a time. I can’t remember which one is which but one will have vacuum with the diff lock switch in one position and then the other one should have vacuum when the switch is turned. I would start with the switch in the off position first.

On to it







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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nisshead

On to it

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How did you go? Was there vacuum alternatively coming out of each output when the switch was toggled between on and off?

If there wasn't, don't just condemn the solenoid yet we need to check the power circuits to the solenoid first.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yendor

How did you go? Was there vacuum alternatively coming out of each output when the switch was toggled between on and off?

If there wasn't, don't just condemn the solenoid yet we need to check the power circuits to the solenoid first.

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Ok,
With the Locker ON, I have no air on both outlets of vac solanoid
With Locker OFF I have vaccume on the top of the vac solanoid







................on the road

Sounds like the solenoid is stuffed. Let’s just make sure the electrical circuit is ok.

Engine running and diff lock switched on. Check for power in the Blue with a White trace wire and Pink with a Black trace wire at the vacuum solenoid.

Also check both earths.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Yendor

Sounds like the solenoid is stuffed. Let’s just make sure the electrical circuit is ok.

Engine running and diff lock switched on. Check for power in the Blue with a White trace wire and Pink with a Black trace wire at the vacuum solenoid.

Also check both earths.

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Ganna be tomorrow now mate, sorry but thank you so much







................on the road

Hey Rod, Thank you so much for your help!

Took it into Nissan and they farked me around as usual.

They said I had a split hose which sucked mud into the diff actuator and vac solanoid . No idea how it would suck anything into the diff actuator as the vac is from solanoid???
They did say the diff lock was working........any way the car is sold now

Once again THANK YOU for your help!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nisshead

Hey Rod, Thank you so much for your help!

Took it into Nissan and they farked me around as usual.

They said I had a split hose which sucked mud into the diff actuator and vac solanoid . No idea how it would suck anything into the diff actuator as the vac is from solanoid???
They did say the diff lock was working........any way the car is sold now

Once again THANK YOU for your help!

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....and as we tested earlier there was no vac from the bottom of the vac solanoid....Anyway????? Crunts

Actually, this could be a good thread for troubleshooting diff lock issues but the thread title is not the best
@AB
@MudRunnerTD
@growler2058

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nisshead

Actually, this could be a good thread for troubleshooting diff lock issues but the thread title is not the best
@AB
@MudRunnerTD
@growler2058

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Done!..........

Legend







................on the road

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Nisshead

Hey Rod, Thank you so much for your help!

Took it into Nissan and they farked me around as usual.

They said I had a split hose which sucked mud into the diff actuator and vac solanoid . No idea how it would suck anything into the diff actuator as the vac is from solanoid???
They did say the diff lock was working........any way the car is sold now

Once again THANK YOU for your help!

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Did they replace the solenoid?

They might have just disconnected both vacuum lines at the solenoid and blowed compressed air through it. This might of dislodged the dirt?

I got my diff centre back the other day and both sides of the teeth are damaged. So I’m guessing this means that my rear locker was damaged going forwards and backwards. Making me suspect my problem might of been caused by low vacuum not allowing the actuator to fully engage the locker.

I remember seeing a vacuum pressure chart when I was looking up the wiring diagram the other week. I’ll see if I can find it and add it this this thread.

Glad you got it sorted.