I was playing in the snow the other day with the wifes 96 runner and as a result she tells me somthing is wrong with the front end, She says its jumping and making noise when she turns, So I figure its still in 4wheel drive(try explaing that over the phone when your at work and she is loosing it because the truck is screwed and cant think logically) Anyways I just took it out and realized the rear is locked, Im thinking COOL! but its probably not a good idea. I figure its the switch at the diff, just waiting for it to dry up a bit.
Any ideas

 

im having the same problem. When i engage 4x4 in hi range (and this is with grey wire plugged in) my differential locks. Im actually in the process of investigating it as we speek so ill let you know what i find. If you figure out whats up with it PM me.

~Austin

 

Is that the wire on the diff, Yeah plaese keep me informed.
Thanks

 

no, im reffering to greywire mod, as in 2lo, where you unplug the wire that actuates 4x4 whenever you shift tcase into low. Not sure if it has any relevance to the problem but im going to try it either way. Also when im having a problem with the diff being locked there is no indicator light, and it should not be able to be locked as it is in hi range still. It is almost certainly a locker issue though as the rear tire jumps and skids just as it would if the diff was locked when turning.

 

Yeah your right, the diff is only supposed to lock in 4lo and under 5mph, I hope that there wont be any damage from highway speeds.

 

you can drive as fast as you want with the diff locked, its the action of engaging and disengaging that is affected because of speed.

 

Just an update, crawled under the truck removed the guard on top of the solenoid and gave it a smack, heard a click and Presto unlocked the diff.

 

Perhaps water got in there?

Do you live where it got down to freezing? Perhaps water from the snow play got in there and froze it up?

 

Well i do live in Canada and its been below freezing a few times, but the truck is parked in the garage every night. I figure that its due to lack of use, its the first time ive ever used it, probably first time ever in its life.

 

Yea, you are supposed to cycle them every so often. I believe your owners manual mentions that as well.

 

It would be a good idea to remove the motor/solenoid and inspect things, and lube everything up good.

Be carefull whacking it, there are some magnets in the motor that brake very easily. Mine was busted when I bought it from the junkyard
see the picture here