↓ Advertise on Defender2 ↓

Home > Technical > Diff lock light stays on with diff lock disengaged 1984 90
Post Reply  Down to end
Page 1 of 1
Print this entire topic · 
familymad



Member Since: 13 Dec 2011
Location: Bucks
Posts: 3463

 2016 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
Diff lock light stays on with diff lock disengaged 1984 90
Hi,

I have been tracing a fault where the diff lock light will not extinguish. The diff lock is disengaged. This the reverse of most faults I have found written up!

I removed the switch and this operated in a sense I understand, where it is normally open and if you press the switch at the end, it closes the circuit and buzzes out on my multimeter. So with the switch in my hand and ignition on, I press and the light remains illuminated on the dash. I tried shorting the wires in case the switch was doing funny things, but the dash light stays on.

So I traced the wiring back to the bulkhead. I disconnected the wiring that runs from loom to the switch. Connected my multimeter and it showed open circuit on each wire until I shorted the bulkhead end and it buzzed out fine. I also totally disconnected the wire to the switch from the bulkhead end and no change.... light still on. So I don’t think that wire has broken down due to age and is causing issues.

So I am thinking it’s from bulkhead to light where the issue is. Has anyone a wiring diagram or any suggestions? I have 12v to the switch and the light on. Is it a relay and we have an issue? Just a really irritating light to have on all the time!

Thanks 1951 80" S1 2.0
1995 110 300TDI
1995 90 300TDI
Post #872264 10th Dec 2020 1:00pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
gilarion



Member Since: 05 Dec 2013
Location: Wales
Posts: 5084

Wales 2007 Defender 90 Other CSW Trident Green
Not saying this is your problem but the diff light staying lit is a known issue. Try this simple fix if the diff lock light won't extinguish just drive backwards a short distance and it should release the spring-loaded locking collar and the light should go out. For those who like Welsh Mountains and narrow boats have a look at my videos and photos at..

http://www.youtube.com/user/conwy1
Post #872273 10th Dec 2020 1:46pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
familymad



Member Since: 13 Dec 2011
Location: Bucks
Posts: 3463

 2016 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
Hi,

I have jacked up a wheel and tested to see if the lock is engaged. It isn’t. That’s why I removed the switch and stared to trace wiring. Closing or opening the circuit with or without the diff lock switch in the circuit doesn’t change the light status. 1951 80" S1 2.0
1995 110 300TDI
1995 90 300TDI
Post #872274 10th Dec 2020 1:49pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
jst



Member Since: 14 Jan 2008
Location: Taunton
Posts: 7687

2011 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 USW Stornoway Grey
So there's a wire to earth, I believe it switches to earth rather than 12v Cheers

James
110 XS Utility
130 Puma Station wagon/camper (in the making)
90 Puma Hardtop
Post #872321 10th Dec 2020 6:05pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5422

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
I have the wiring diagrams if any use to you. If so pm me your email address and I can send them over
Post #872378 11th Dec 2020 1:10am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Siwynne



Member Since: 04 Nov 2016
Location: West lancs
Posts: 559

England 
This happened to me last week after getting bogged dropping off firewood. It stayed on for about half a mile when I had to reverse it turned off. It bothered me while it was on but haven’t thought about until I read this
Post #872382 11th Dec 2020 7:44am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
blackwolf



Member Since: 03 Nov 2009
Location: South West England
Posts: 16879

United Kingdom 2007 Defender 110 Puma 2.4 DCPU Stornoway Grey
^^ That will be due to the difflock dog clutch taking a while to spring out and disengage, and is fairly normal, it is certainly not a fault (unless it is so stuck, usually through lack of use, that is never disengages). The warning light is activate by the dog clutch itself rather than the linkage, so will continue to indicate the locked state until the dog clutch moves.

Familymad's issue is definitely an electrical issue of some kind, not a mechanical issue, since it manifests itself with the switch disconnected and with the operation of the switch simulated. It is almost certainly either a broken wire resulting in a permanently open circuit or a short to ground, depending on how the switch is configured on his vehicle.
Post #872401 11th Dec 2020 11:20am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5422

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
“ So with the switch in my hand and ignition on, I press and the light remains illuminated on the dash. I tried shorting the wires in case the switch was doing funny things, but the dash light stays on. ”

But what does diff light do with switch disconnected from the wires, and ignition on?
Post #872451 11th Dec 2020 5:48pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3208

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
As I remember when taking my transfer box out on an early 90, the difflock switch had one wire going towards the dash, and one wire to ground on the transfercase itself. So that means that the bulb in the binnacle always gets 12V, and it switches on when the switch on the transfer case makes continuity to ground. So the suspect is a chafed wire somewhere between the bulb and the switch. 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #872468 11th Dec 2020 6:53pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Dinnu



Member Since: 24 Dec 2019
Location: Lija
Posts: 3208

Malta 2012 Defender 90 Puma 2.2 CSW Santorini Black
Adding electrical schematic for around that same period. Will not be much different if any.. diff lock switch layout would also be same for petrol.

So diff lock switch is bub 'p' in binnacle cluster. The dark blue/purple is where your problem lies.



Click image to enlarge
 1988 90 Hard Top, 19J Diesel Turbo, Shire Blue - Restoration ongoing
2012 90 CSW, 2.2TDCI, Santorini Black
Post #872469 11th Dec 2020 7:07pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
familymad



Member Since: 13 Dec 2011
Location: Bucks
Posts: 3463

 2016 Defender 130 Puma 2.2 HCPU Santorini Black
Right, thanks all. Will print off that diagram and set to work. 1951 80" S1 2.0
1995 110 300TDI
1995 90 300TDI
Post #872542 12th Dec 2020 7:43am
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
Mo Murphy



Member Since: 01 Jun 2008
Location: Letchworth Garden City, Herts
Posts: 2079

United Kingdom 1984 Defender 90 200 Tdi HT Pennine Grey
I'd say almost certainly that between the lamp and the switch the wire is being earthed, either trapped in something or the insulation has been worn through by contact.
Have you had the dash apart, the tunnel off or the transfer box off ?
Mo The Land Rover 90 - Many are called, few are chosen.
Post #872569 12th Dec 2020 12:40pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Reply with quote
landy andy



Member Since: 15 Feb 2009
Location: Ware, Herts
Posts: 5422

2006 Defender 110 Td5 USW Zermatt Silver
So with the switch removed from the system completely and ignition on the light is illuminated on the dash?
Post #872571 12th Dec 2020 1:04pm
View user's profile Send private message View poster's gallery Post Reply
Post Reply  Back to top
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT + 1 Hour

Jump to  
Previous Topic | Next Topic >
Posting Rules
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum



Site Copyright © 2006-2024 Futuranet Ltd & Martin Lewis
DEFENDER2.NET RSS Feed - All Forums