1997 Disco. My CDL lever moves easily to the left, but I get no indicator light on the dash that the diff is locked. Of course I do this while parked (engine on), but was wondering if the car needs to move before the dash light comes on.

I suppose it could be the sensor.

Any thoughts?

 

Are you sure you are locked into one of the lock positions? Try low lock and drive forward a few feet to make sure you are even engaged. If the CDL has not been used for a while the light may be slow to come on.

 

If it is locking and actually engaging then maybe it is the little bulb behind the dash. They do burn out eventually. I have several dash bulbs burned out at the moment. Check to see if it is actually engaging and go from there.

 

x2 on moving a few feet forwards or backwards to see if the light comes on. Usually once every few weeks, I move from high to low, and lock and unlock after getting home from work, in the driveway, and on occasion, I have had to move a few feet, and turn the steering wheel slightly before the light comes on.

(yes, I know, do not use CDL on pavement, while turning. My turning of the steering wheel is maybe 2 degrees, just enough to turn on the light, and verify everything is working, then I unlock it, straighten it, and pull in the garage)

 

mine takes about 10 feet of rolling to go off and on

 

First time I engaged mine it took 60 feet to finally come on. The PO never took it off road. I think the light was not sure it was supposed to turn on.

It has worked perfectly ever since. It is wise to engage and disengage every so often if you are not using it.

 

good thread thx. got mine unlocked just recently and have only been testing it for very short distances with no light also. i'll try a few of these moves tomorrow. hoping to off road again soon with all the parts working!

 

With mine, the linkage was completely frozen up. I totally disassembled the entire shifting linkages, replaced most of the small pieces and totally cleaned, greased and reassembled it. The diff lock would engage finally, but the light did not work until I replaced the CDL Switch. It is item 39 on the attached Illustrated parts breakdown:

I had to manually rotate the selector linkage (item 35) by putting a deep socket on an extension on a speed handle to reach the nut securing the selector plate, that rotated and moved the lever and engaged the mechanisn. The pawl on the top with the internal splines was also worn so much that I replaced it as well.

I got all new clevis pins and clips due to the extreme corrosion buildup on the original stuff and reused the larger pieces.

The switch has what looks like a BB mounted on a plunger that activates the switch to turn on the light when the lock mechanism is engaged. This IPB shows all the associated parts and pieces of the mechanism.
After you verify or change the bulb, verify or change the switch. The plunger on mine was frozen in place. Good Luck.

http://www.roversnorth.com/store/c-3...s-linkage.aspx

 

YOu can feel the difference with it locked. I also get a little "tink" when it engages and disengages...

 

OK...so I drove the car this weekend. Tried to get the dash light to go on.

- While in Neutral....moved the lever to the left. Drove 50 yds (dead straight). no luck.

- while in neutral....moved the lever up (Lo - locked). Drove 50 yds (dead straight). no light.

Tried several times to no avail. It feels as if it is locking, but the dang light might just be too old. I haven't used it in a very long time. (generally a weekend, highway cruiser) That said, to my knowledge, the other dash lights are functioning just fine. The linkage moves freely and I believe I'm feeling it move into the correct position, but darned if that little light won't light.