Urgent help needed!
Guys,
I have a problem with my diff-locks. The thing is that it all started today when I replaced the bulb of the front difflock switch. Every thing went hunky dory until this evening when I went to the car to test that all the switched had their lights functioning. With the engine off, I put the parking lights and saw that all of them were functioning. But then I checked that the yellow lights did also function -like I said without the engine running-. they lit OK but then I put the light switch to "off" and nothing happened. All the interior lights remained functioning, including all three yellow lights, until I press the button of the difflocks to unlock them. Any of them would make all interior lights to go off.
Problem is that everytime I put the lights on, all three diffs attempt to get locked. Naturally, I cannot drive the car in these conditions (at least not during the night). Again, the only way to have the diffs unlock is to switch the lights off and then press the switches to unlock. Any attempt to unlock the diffs with the lights on is useless. Having the engine running does not seem to make any difference.
Anybody can help? Mercedes garages around here are totally hopeless in anything GWagen and I don't know where to start from.
Needless to say that this is very urgent.
Regards,
J phone me on my mobile
Went for a test drive. All three diff locks worked perfectly. Then I put the lights on an locked all three diffs. Then tried to unlock them (with the lights on) but they wouldn't disengage. Then I switched off the lights and the diffs would disengage at the first touch of the button. The problem is that, when I tried to recreate the problem it would not resurface again (after many attempts).
Anyway. It was clear at this point that the problem (inability to disengage the diff-locks) would only occur with the lights on so it more than likely that the cause was a short circuit that I inadvertenly created when I refurbished the difflock switch. This is also Bill Moss' opinion who very kindly rang me for help.
But since I was unable to buy a new switch on a Sunday afternoon, I decided not to let a 40 pence electric bulb beat me and I have dismantled the switch again and redone the connections this time in a more thorough manner which I hope will work. I have retested the system again and all seems to work perfectly.....
I shall be posting pictures of the switch job in this thread: http://www.gwoa.co.uk/node/811
Many thanks to you all,
Pleased it worked out.
Jesus, interesting thread; mine has developed a similar fault. With ignition switch in no2 position but not starting, difflock orange lights illuminate for shortwhile, and then only occasionally. When engine is running they appear quite dead. Any suggestions? I read a complicated thread of yours some months ago on electric and hydraulic workings of 463 'G Difflocks' either GWOC or BenzWorld. Could you also redirect me to it please for geater understanding of mechanism? Regards and thanks Tombo
Sounds like an earthing problem with all the lights coming on.. something is dragging down/floating up a wire and this is partially illuminating bulbs or pulling relays in... check out how the rear number plate is fed compared to the rear lights as that is very odd. Also ensure the bulbs are 100% bright. ... if it is earthing then some will be only 50-60% max brightness. Also just because the lights say diff lock is on... does not mean it is.. disable at bulkhead vacuum conections by pulling out supply tube from vacuum pump and stuffing pencil or similar into supply tube. At least then you can drive while you find out what wire you have disturbed.
Very interesting and illuminating response, thanks. Especially as I had the old cracked rear bumper replaced a few weeks ago. Didn't habitually use the difflocks but was sure I tested them (at least electrically) when I bought the car in March. I'll have a good scurry around the rear lights, numberplate lights soon and let you know. Regards tombo
Just a thought which may or may not be helpful, but could it be a short from the switch illumination to the switch itself?
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Mistery....
I went out again and put the parking lights on (without the engine running) with the key in the lock. All customary dashboard lights were on, plus the three yellow for the diffs and the danger sign (triangle) on the speedo which signals the diff locks on. Then I switched off the lights and all lights inside remained alight. Got out of the car and walked around it. No lights, except for those of the rear number plate (????????). then opened the passenger door and went to check the fuses in the footwell. After a while and without a warning all lights went off while I noticed a click somewhere in the relay tray beneath the fusebox.
After that went again to the driver's seat and but the lights on and off three or four times. No more yellow lights of the diff locks.
My only guess is that time limit relay of the difflocks is faulty (this is a pre-February 1994 truck).
Gosh, these are the beauties of electronics. In the good old days when a bulb wnet off it would never work again. You knew it was wrong. But now with these electronics you never know. This is just about the only bit of the 463 that I hate.
I'll keep you posted if it becomes faulty again...
Regards,