2002 G500 Differential Lock Issue :(
2002 G500. 182K miles. 1 Owner who never used the differential locks. Dealer serviced.
So today I went to a dirt lot and decided to test out the differential locks. I pressed the center diff lock button and the yellow light came on. I could hear the vacuum pump running. It ran and ran for a few minutes and the RED indicator light never came on. I drove the car slowly in the dirty turning side to side. Still nothing. The yellow light stayed on and the pump stayed on. I got back home and turned the car off with the center lock button pressed (yellow light on) and opened the hood. Pump was pretty loud. I made sure the connections at the pump and valve switches were tight and nothing had come off. I went under the car and checked the vacuum hose that connected to the top of the TC and it was attached.
I don't know if the aux vacuum pump is or is not making enough vacuum to engage the center diff or there is a leak somewhere. I tried to follow the line from the valve switch output to the TC and it seemed fine. I need to take the driver side inner wheel well out and see if the connections to the reservoir are good.
Anyways the pump kept running indefinitely even after I shut off the car with the center diff lock requested. I have a feeling maybe the pump is bad? How should I begin testing this? I will be flushing out the TC and differentials this weekend with Redline MT90 and 75w90 fluid.
Any guidance is appreciated!!!!! I want to know if the pump should turn off after reaching a certain vacuum level? I was thinking of picking up a vacuum gauge and seeing how much the pump is putting out.
The TC oil also needs to be changed. Just be sure that you use the right oil.
Last edited by DUTCH; Jan 18, 2018 at 07:58 AM.
The TC oil also needs to be changed. Just be sure that you use the right oil.
Can anyone guide me as to how to test the lines for a leak or test if the vacuum is creating enough pressure? I really do not want to pay 100$+ an hour for diag!
TIA
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I wanted ted to check the vacuum line going to the vacuum reservoir tank and guess what I found??
The plastic elbow connector for the line that goes from the pump to the reservoir tank behind the driver side wheel well was rotted and broke. The vacuum line was completely off. So I’m assuming no vaccum was being made and therefore my center lock isn’t engaging.
The elbow is 1.5$ at my dealer but they only have them in Germany right now so I’m looking elsewhere. Part number is 002-990-68-71
. If anyone else is having diff problems, definitely check all vaccum lines. I’m sure the Arizona heat has done damage to many plastic pieces.
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I looked in autozone and they have assorted packs but no 90 degree elbow. I also went to Another parts store... nothing. Went to Home Depot... couldn’t find it.
If i turn the ignition to on, but not start the engine, the pump keeps running and won't engage the locker. Engine on, it engages in a few seconds. The rear and front locker can be a bit slow sometimes but in general engage. There are no obvious failures or vacuum leaks on the front half of the system. I am leaning towards the transfer case diaphragm failing; any thoughts? Fluid and system were cleaned and changed less than two years ago.
If i turn the ignition to on, but not start the engine, the pump keeps running and won't engage the locker. Engine on, it engages in a few seconds. The rear and front locker can be a bit slow sometimes but in general engage. There are no obvious failures or vacuum leaks on the front half of the system. I am leaning towards the transfer case diaphragm failing; any thoughts? Fluid and system were cleaned and changed less than two years ago.











