Wheel lock not disengaging

[naterade]

Hey friends

Out at Fairmont on the weekend, and the gf and I took a drive to Lussier Hot Springs.

On the way up, the washboard had my deli all over the road, so I put it in 4H to get us up there a little smoother.

Dropped out of 4H on the way down, near the bottom, but I noticed my 'wheel lock' light stayed on.

Got onto the highway, with the light still on, and I could definitely tell the diff was still locked (hard turning, vibration at 80km/h)

Not wanting to damage anything, I pulled over a few times, engaged/disengaged 4wd, turned the wheels all the way left & right, etc. The light would go out, but then back on the highway, the light would go back on at about 40km/h, and I could tell for sure the diff was still locked.

Last try, I pulled over, put the van in reverse, drove back a bit, and then forward. It worked!! No more diff lock.

My question is, has anyone else experienced this? Was going backwards really what disengaged the diff lock, or was it fluke? Why wouldn't it disengage?

Any thoughts on this??

[dennis_lambert]

The shift lever disengages the transfer case internals, disconnects front
drive shaft from rear shaft.....
backing up disengages the 'auto-lock' hubs, this keeps front drive shaft and
front differential from turning when in 2WD.
It should eventually disengage without going in reverse.You might want to grease your hubs...

[naterade]

Thanks for clearing that up!

I will grease the hubs asap.

[Firesong]

You do need to go back wards to have that light go off.
That's normal.
FS

[jessef]

You do need to go back wards to have that light go off.
That's normal.
FS

X2

If you switch between 2H and 4H while driving forward, your auto hubs will engage and remain engaged regardless of 2WD or 4WD mode until you stop and reverse. You'll fell/hear them unlocking. This is to ensure that you can switch between 2WD and 4WD back and forth while moving forward over varied terrain.