Centre Diff Lock Actuator Timing

[Pitbull Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pitbull]

Hi guys,

Looking for some help here in relation to an issue that has come up.

My car (2003 Grande 4sp Auto V6) developed a leak around the centre diff lock actuator on the back of the transfer case.

After reading some of the writeups (HERE is an old thread) I removed the actuator and replaced the seal between it and the transfer case.

My Centre Diff Lock Light now won't go off and I have been advised by a transmission specialist that the actuator now needs to be "timed" in order to return to normal operation.The process is that the transfer case needs to come off the car, be stripped down, timed and reinstalled.

I was wondering if anyone had heard of this issue before and if there was a simpler way to fix the problem.

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Cheers

Pitbull

[scottkz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close scottkz]

Ben there done that.... there are actually timing marks on it but very hard to understand.... i can take a look at mine and take a pic if i didnt already a while back took me numerous shots to get it right

[Pitbull Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pitbull]

Ben there done that.... there are actually timing marks on it but very hard to understand.... i can take a look at mine and take a pic if i didnt already a while back took me numerous shots to get it right

Thanks Scott,

Mate if you have the photos handy that would be fantastic - did the procedure you followed require you to pull the transfer case or was it something you did externally on the actuator side?

If you can't find the photos I'll have to take it to the tranny place early next week.

[scottkz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close scottkz]

I did it all when it was still installed in the car... its no longer in the car now as iv done a part time conversion so different case
Found the pics but didnt show the timing marks i made if it was even my actuator. .. so got a new pic and can see how i set it up
start by pushing the rod fully into the case (diff locked) then align the main rod gear then set the timing blue wheel and screw back to gether
My case was left in diff lock when removed so set it up like this then it should work
That screw is just holding the gear in place cause its on it end

[Pitbull Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pitbull]

Awesome thanks Scott.

Under the car over the weekend I guess and see how we go - will report back once I have had a crack at it.

Cheers mate.

[scottkz Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close scottkz]

No prob �� any problems let me know and ill have another look

[Pitbull Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Pitbull]

Ok so after much trial and error this is where I ended up - I thought I should post this as it may help someone in future.

The actuator is in fact not meant to be removed from the back of the transfer case and separated from the centre diff lock rod as in doing so, this can cause damage to the actuator unit.

I found these threads that outline both the transfer case leak and remedy on other forums:

http://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/tran...e-leak.362691/
http://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-f...se-leak-8.html

And I also found the TSB for the recall that occurred in the US for this exact issue (got to love the consumer protection laws or lack there of in Australia huh?) PM me if you want a copy of this or I am sure it is available in one of the threads listed above.

Basically, the correct way fix the leak is to remove the transfer case, remove the actuator and centre diff lock rod as one unit, fix the leak and refit. In saying that the Toyota / Lexus techs have in the past just removed the actuator with no ill effects so its a case of are you willing to take the risk.

In my case, the actuator which contains a bunch of inter meshing gears must have skipped a tooth and this threw the lights on the dash (Centre diff lock light flashing and VSC OFF light on).

After much actuator off the car, adjust, refit etc etc, I must have found the sweet spot and there are no more warning lights on the dash.

Again, I hope this makes it easier for someone in the future.

[Rdickson Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Rdickson]

Hi Guys,

I have a similar problem.
did you manage to reset the timing on the diff lock actuator?

if can you please let me know or send me details of where I can find this information?

does anyone know where I can get the details on how to set the timing on the diff lock actuator on a Toyota Prado 2013 GX Diesel Automatic 150 ?

I have managed to get everything to operate except I can’t get the Center diff lock light to stop flashing when I disengage the Center diff lock.

thank you in advance

Russell [email protected]
+61419632164