Electronic diff won't unlock
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Electronic diff won't unlock
Hi, I'm new to the site but have been lurking around for years,
But I have a 2011 F250 powerstroke and it has the electronic locking differential option, I engaged the locker the other night and it will not unlock now. Rear axle binds and skips around turns. The light on the dash illuminates as it should when the 4x4 **** is pulled out as it should, But the axle remains locked when pushed back in. I unplugged the actuator on the rear diff and tried to pull it out, but once the bolt is out and and the sensor starts to come out, it stops, I'm assuming there are wires going to the actuator inside the housing, but I'm not 100% sure. I've never worked with electonic locking diffs before. I'm a kenworth diesel tech so I usually deal with air operated everything haha. I also found the fuses in the high current fuse box located in the engine bay, fuses 53 & 54 are for the ABS and 4x4 modules. Both fuses were good, and there is no fault shown on the dash. I called a ford dealership near me who was open late, and they said there is a TSB for this issue, TSB 10-23-3. I looked it up and it says to try and re-flash the abs module, if that does not fix it, then to replace the housing.... Really not wanting to replace the housing. My next step before trying to get ford to re-flash the abs module was to pop the rear diff cover off and see if I can manually disengage it. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks-Tanner
But I have a 2011 F250 powerstroke and it has the electronic locking differential option, I engaged the locker the other night and it will not unlock now. Rear axle binds and skips around turns. The light on the dash illuminates as it should when the 4x4 **** is pulled out as it should, But the axle remains locked when pushed back in. I unplugged the actuator on the rear diff and tried to pull it out, but once the bolt is out and and the sensor starts to come out, it stops, I'm assuming there are wires going to the actuator inside the housing, but I'm not 100% sure. I've never worked with electonic locking diffs before. I'm a kenworth diesel tech so I usually deal with air operated everything haha. I also found the fuses in the high current fuse box located in the engine bay, fuses 53 & 54 are for the ABS and 4x4 modules. Both fuses were good, and there is no fault shown on the dash. I called a ford dealership near me who was open late, and they said there is a TSB for this issue, TSB 10-23-3. I looked it up and it says to try and re-flash the abs module, if that does not fix it, then to replace the housing.... Really not wanting to replace the housing. My next step before trying to get ford to re-flash the abs module was to pop the rear diff cover off and see if I can manually disengage it. Any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks-Tanner
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Yes i have tried that. I did not put it in 4 low, but I did have it in 4hi. I have also had the back end on jack stands with the trans in neutral and spun the tires both directions while pulling on the sensor/actuator.
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Tanner-
I had trouble finding info regarding Ford's e-locker. I asked the engineers here (on the ask an engineer section) and got this reply:
"The locker is engaged with an electro-magnetic coil. The coil will push against 3 pins, which press what we call a “lock ring” against a set of teeth on one of the diff side gears. This locks the differential from left to right, ensuring that torque is split evenly."
Perhaps those details help some? I am guessing the pins are returned to their non-locked position by a spring or something. Good luck.
-W
I had trouble finding info regarding Ford's e-locker. I asked the engineers here (on the ask an engineer section) and got this reply:
"The locker is engaged with an electro-magnetic coil. The coil will push against 3 pins, which press what we call a “lock ring” against a set of teeth on one of the diff side gears. This locks the differential from left to right, ensuring that torque is split evenly."
Perhaps those details help some? I am guessing the pins are returned to their non-locked position by a spring or something. Good luck.
-W
Last edited by Wambo; Jul 9, 2016 at 06:02 AM. Reason: Type-o
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Wambo-
Thanks for the info, I was having a hard time trying to find inform on the elocker myself, seems like either no one has a problem with it or I'm one of the only ones haha. I will be tearing the rear end apart when I get off of work today. Maybe if I can supply 12V to the coil, it'll come free, I'm going to replace the switch as well, seeing as I'm not the original owner of the truck, nor do I know what kind of life it had before I owned it.
Thanks for the info, I was having a hard time trying to find inform on the elocker myself, seems like either no one has a problem with it or I'm one of the only ones haha. I will be tearing the rear end apart when I get off of work today. Maybe if I can supply 12V to the coil, it'll come free, I'm going to replace the switch as well, seeing as I'm not the original owner of the truck, nor do I know what kind of life it had before I owned it.
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Joined: Sep 2015
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Tanner-
Hope you find the problem. If its convenient, take some pictures of the diff's internal parts. There aren't any that I could find on-line. I'm sure there are folks who will benefit from them some day!
-W
Hope you find the problem. If its convenient, take some pictures of the diff's internal parts. There aren't any that I could find on-line. I'm sure there are folks who will benefit from them some day!
-W
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Joined: Aug 2003
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From: Isanti, MN
Here's a quote from another thread on the e-locker from @MisterCMK describing how they work:
Might be helpful to you. Let us know how this turns out!
This is from the service manual for 2013.
When the operator sets the Mode Select Switch (MSS) to either 4L, 4H or ON position (depending upon vehicle option content) to activate the ELD , the ELD icon displays in the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) message center. If the vehicle is driven above the disengage speed, the IPC message center no longer displays the ELD icon, alerting the operator that the ELD is disengaged. Once the vehicle drops below the re-engage speed, the IPC message center displays the ELD icon again. If there is a malfunction with the ELD system, a "CHECK LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL" message is displayed in the IPC message center, letting the operator know the ELD is not engaged.
The differential locks when a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) controlled magnetic field coil located inside the differential energizes. A collar within the differential moves toward a differential side gear and engages a dog clutch within the differential. This locks the differential side gears and creates the locked differential.
The Transfer Case Control Module (TCCM) activates the ELD . When the ELD is engaged, the TCCM sends PWM voltage to the ELD field coil located in the differential. This voltage is initially 98% duty cycle, and then tapers off to 40% duty cycle after 30 seconds. In order for the TCCM to activate the ELD , certain conditions must be met.
TCCM Input Conditions
MSS set to ELD position
Average rear wheel speed versus average front wheel speed must be less than 15 km/h (9 mph) (via High Speed Controller Area Network (HS-CAN) communication from ABS module)
Operating range (voltage between 9-16 volts)
DTC setting range (voltage between 10-15 volts)
Ignition in the ON position
Throttle Position (TP) less than 50%
When the operator sets the Mode Select Switch (MSS) to either 4L, 4H or ON position (depending upon vehicle option content) to activate the ELD , the ELD icon displays in the Instrument Panel Cluster (IPC) message center. If the vehicle is driven above the disengage speed, the IPC message center no longer displays the ELD icon, alerting the operator that the ELD is disengaged. Once the vehicle drops below the re-engage speed, the IPC message center displays the ELD icon again. If there is a malfunction with the ELD system, a "CHECK LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL" message is displayed in the IPC message center, letting the operator know the ELD is not engaged.
The differential locks when a Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) controlled magnetic field coil located inside the differential energizes. A collar within the differential moves toward a differential side gear and engages a dog clutch within the differential. This locks the differential side gears and creates the locked differential.
The Transfer Case Control Module (TCCM) activates the ELD . When the ELD is engaged, the TCCM sends PWM voltage to the ELD field coil located in the differential. This voltage is initially 98% duty cycle, and then tapers off to 40% duty cycle after 30 seconds. In order for the TCCM to activate the ELD , certain conditions must be met.
TCCM Input Conditions
MSS set to ELD position
Average rear wheel speed versus average front wheel speed must be less than 15 km/h (9 mph) (via High Speed Controller Area Network (HS-CAN) communication from ABS module)
Operating range (voltage between 9-16 volts)
DTC setting range (voltage between 10-15 volts)
Ignition in the ON position
Throttle Position (TP) less than 50%
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Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2015
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From: Maryville, TN
Originally Posted by Chuck's First Ford
What pull. my 2012 is a turn clockwise or counter clockwise.. left or right.
if switch is broken, look in manual.. might be a fuse.. remove fuse. then replace switch.
if switch is broken, look in manual.. might be a fuse.. remove fuse. then replace switch.
My bet is a pin or the lock ring is broke/stuck. I know your not suppose to, but, I accidentally drove my truck from my lower drive up the street to my main drive with the locker engaged. It was ruff to say the least. I can see it messing something up in a >7k truck. I've also yet to Benefit from the locker. Always had to engage 4wd, locker just throws the truck sideways.
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Joined: Dec 2004
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From: Cave Springs, AR
Chuck, isn't your truck 2wd? On 4x4's, you do pull out on the 2wd/4hi/4lo switch to engage the locker.
My bet is a pin or the lock ring is broke/stuck. I know your not suppose to, but, I accidentally drove my truck from my lower drive up the street to my main drive with the locker engaged. It was ruff to say the least. I can see it messing something up in a >7k truck. I've also yet to Benefit from the locker. Always had to engage 4wd, locker just throws the truck sideways.
My bet is a pin or the lock ring is broke/stuck. I know your not suppose to, but, I accidentally drove my truck from my lower drive up the street to my main drive with the locker engaged. It was ruff to say the least. I can see it messing something up in a >7k truck. I've also yet to Benefit from the locker. Always had to engage 4wd, locker just throws the truck sideways.
Once I knew I was stuck, I called my buddy to come help. He showed up with his Lexus LX450. Locked+Locked+Locked he was able to drive anywhere he wanted in that field. We put a strap on my SD and I was out in 2 seconds. I am 100% positive that if I even had a rear locker, that would have been enough for me to get myself out, or, more to the point, never get stuck in the first place.
Lockers are not for snow or ice where all four of your tires have similarly bad traction. They are for mud or offroad situations where one or two of your tires have no traction, but one or two of your OTHER tires have plenty of traction.
I haven't gotten to use the ELD on my '16 yet, but I am very happy it is there. That's one of the high points of my new truck compared to my old one.
Anyway, YMMV. I wouldn't write off that locker that quick though.
-J
Postmaster
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 3,146
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From: Maryville, TN
I'm not writing it off as a bad thing. I'm sure one day it will come in handy in the mud somewhere. The trucks only 4 months old, and the only time I've had to use the 4wd is backing up a grassy embankment to park/hook up my utility trailer and on a ruff grassy hill behind my barn. I also used it on vacation out on the beaches of the outer banks of NC. I didn't use the locker there, and It would have probably helped some if I had thought about it. I did get a little worried a few times in the loose stuff with a heavy crew cab on stock tires, but I kept my momentum up and didn't have any real issues. Some of you guys get your trucks in some pretty nasty stuff, whether it be work on the farm or a muddy job site, or getting back to a remote hunting spot. Some of y'all are just getting out and playing for fun, which I was well known for 15 years ago. My truck is pretty much a pavement pounder, and the yard is about the only four wheeling It will see, other than that beach trip and maybe some gravel mountain fire roads. and the locker simply digs two ruts when slow moving on grass.
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Joined: Oct 2010
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I had the ELD get "stuck on" when I had my 2012 F150. I believe the switch etc are the same, in my case the **** on the dash broke inside, leaving it locked on.
I unplugged the connection at the diff and it disengaged. It sounds like you tried to unplug it, but did you just disconnect the electrical plug out of it's socket on the axle housing? It sounds like you did more when you say the sensor started coming out....
The dash switch really is plastic junk, I had to replace mine and I looked at the guts of the old one and it seemed pretty light duty inside....
I unplugged the connection at the diff and it disengaged. It sounds like you tried to unplug it, but did you just disconnect the electrical plug out of it's socket on the axle housing? It sounds like you did more when you say the sensor started coming out....
The dash switch really is plastic junk, I had to replace mine and I looked at the guts of the old one and it seemed pretty light duty inside....
