Help!! Rear differential is locked!!

[JimJa]

A couple of things come to mind - but, I've never had newer Ford locking diffs apart so I'm ignorant of their actual workings. Knowledgeable folks weigh in.
1) Does the rear locker work when electrical power is applied and disconnects when power is off? If so and because the OP needs this to unlock to make it home, perhaps it's an electrical issue and although the switch is "off" power is still being applied. Disconnecting the power should solve the issue until the issue can be sorted once home.
2) Some locking axles work by several roller bearings moving up a ramp when power is applied. That movement results in pins being engaged between the right and left axles, locking them. Since the OP indicated he quickly turned the locker off while moving it could be possible the pins could have been only partially engaged. Under torque while in the process of disengagement could they possibly be slightly bent causing the inability to completely disengage. If this is the case, disassembly would be required.
Someone that knows exactly how Ford's lockers work please lend your knowledge.

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[awd.nv]

For some reason, while I am ok with my 66 Mustang having a spool (basically axles mechanically locked together), the Ranger with the diff locked would have me me cautious on turns. That said the Mustang will just hop a tire during U-Turns and either

Yeah it's basically in the worst possible spot.

My buddy got a 24 and it's in a much better spot. They moved it.

Someone made a 3d printed guard for it, not sure if they are still being made but it looked nice. I considered it but I have not had issues bumping it. I do think it is too easy to engage but I just got very careful with it.

https://www.ranger5g.com/forum/threads/new-version-of-4x4-selector-knob-guard.11958/

 

[ControlNode]

From the factory my Focus has a spool in its RDU. But it's not directly connected to the axles, it has a clutch pack on each side of the spool to engage/disengage power transfer from the spool to each axle.

 

[catfishfingers]

I'm going to echo the folks saying it was probably stuck in 4WD and binding via the transfer case. In roughly 30,000 miles I've had two occasions where it indicated 4WD off but it was very clear, even on a relatively wide turn, that I was getting some binding in the drivetrain. Once coming out of the snow into a parking garage, and once from an accidental bump of the 4WD shifter in a parking lot. Both times I shifted through neutral & reverse with a little back and forth, and it popped back into 2WD. The second time I cycled the engine on/off as well but I was parking anyways (ate my mcmuffin, started back up and everything was fine).

 

[doznkoz]

A few days ago, I had a similar issue. I have never used the differential lock but while going through a drive-thru I heard the back tires kind of squealing as I made the right hand turn to the window. Looked at the dash and noticed the rear was locked. I figured I must have pressed the button for it by accident 40 miles back as I disengaged the auto-stop from working. In those 40 miles it was all highway and had made no turns whatsoever besides pulling into the fast food joint. I pressed the lock button again (light went out) thinking I had disengaged it before proceeding any further. That did not seem to work though. As I pulled back onto the highway I saw the indicator light back on but it went out as I increased speed. I had another 40 highway miles to go and never saw it illuminated again until I was pulling into my driveway. I just read in this post that it takes a long press on the lock button to disengage it. I did not know this until now. Thanks for that info.

I totally agree, the placement of the knob for 4x4, 4x2 and 4x4L are in a bad location. Too easy to accidently bump it. This has happened a few times already.

 

[KNI]

Increase speed, it will auto unlock the diff after 30km/h.

(Unless your driving mode is Baja. Then it will not disengage automatically until 90km/h or someting)

 

[awd.nv]

A few days ago, I had a similar issue. I have never used the differential lock but while going through a drive-thru I heard the back tires kind of squealing as I made the right hand turn to the window. Looked at the dash and noticed the rear was locked. I figured I must have pressed the button for it by accident 40 miles back as I disengaged the auto-stop from working. In those 40 miles it was all highway and had made no turns whatsoever besides pulling into the fast food joint. I pressed the lock button again (light went out) thinking I had disengaged it before proceeding any further. That did not seem to work though. As I pulled back onto the highway I saw the indicator light back on but it went out as I increased speed. I had another 40 highway miles to go and never saw it illuminated again until I was pulling into my driveway. I just read in this post that it takes a long press on the lock button to disengage it. I did not know this until now. Thanks for that info.

I totally agree, the placement of the knob for 4x4, 4x2 and 4x4L are in a bad location. Too easy to accidently bump it. This has happened a few times already.

A couple post up I shared a link to a guard a forum member made, if it has happened a couple times it might be worth getting. I saw he still has some on listed on Etsy.

 

[NotBudule2]

Press and hold the electronic differential lock button for 2 seconds to activate the system.
Note: The lock button is on the center console.
Note: Do not perform this operation when cruise control or trail control are selected and active. The system may not engage as expected.

The electronic differential lock can lock and unlock when the internal gears are aligned and no torque load is placed on the differential. To aid alignment, drive the vehicle in a straight line with the accelerator pedal released. Alternatively, drive slowly forward and backward while moving the steering wheel from side to side to allow the electronic differential lock to lock.
High vehicle speed and high accelerator pedal application inhibit the electronic locking differential system engagement. Follow the instruction on the instrument cluster for engagement and disengagement.
Note: You can use the system in any drive mode 2H, 4H or 4L.
Note: When you engage the system, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) functions such as Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill Descent Control, Emergency stop signal, Hill Start Assist and Trailer Sway Control are deactivated, the ESP Off indicator illuminates, and the HDC on indicator turns off.
Note: When the anti-lock braking system is operating, the system disengages.
The electronic locking differential system can affect various terrain modes. See Principle of Operation.
Operating Electronic Locking Differential with Spare or Mismatched Tires
The size of the spare tire can affect the performance of the electronic locking differential system. When there is a significant size difference between the two rear tires, you could have limited electronic locking differential functionality. If your electronic locking differential has difficulty disengaging, release your accelerator pedal and turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction while rolling forward.
Note: We recommend that you engage and disengage the electronic locking differential when stopped, and a spare tire is mounted on the rear axle.


From the manual , 2 second hold to engage so no way to bump it on ...
Also the last line of instructions recommends a spare tire be mounted on rear axle ?

 

[RangerBill]

Press and hold the electronic differential lock button for 2 seconds to activate the system.
Note: The lock button is on the center console.
Note: Do not perform this operation when cruise control or trail control are selected and active. The system may not engage as expected.

The electronic differential lock can lock and unlock when the internal gears are aligned and no torque load is placed on the differential. To aid alignment, drive the vehicle in a straight line with the accelerator pedal released. Alternatively, drive slowly forward and backward while moving the steering wheel from side to side to allow the electronic differential lock to lock.
High vehicle speed and high accelerator pedal application inhibit the electronic locking differential system engagement. Follow the instruction on the instrument cluster for engagement and disengagement.
Note: You can use the system in any drive mode 2H, 4H or 4L.
Note: When you engage the system, the Electronic Stability Program (ESP) functions such as Stability Control, Traction Control, Hill Descent Control, Emergency stop signal, Hill Start Assist and Trailer Sway Control are deactivated, the ESP Off indicator illuminates, and the HDC on indicator turns off.
Note: When the anti-lock braking system is operating, the system disengages.
The electronic locking differential system can affect various terrain modes. See Principle of Operation.
Operating Electronic Locking Differential with Spare or Mismatched Tires
The size of the spare tire can affect the performance of the electronic locking differential system. When there is a significant size difference between the two rear tires, you could have limited electronic locking differential functionality. If your electronic locking differential has difficulty disengaging, release your accelerator pedal and turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction while rolling forward.
Note: We recommend that you engage and disengage the electronic locking differential when stopped, and a spare tire is mounted on the rear axle.


From the manual , 2 second hold to engage so no way to bump it on ...
Also the last line of instructions recommends a spare tire be mounted on rear axle ?

The manual is saying that if you have a spare tire mounted on the rear, that you should be stopped to engage the locking differential, whereas if you don't have a spare mounted, you can engage it while moving.

 

[NotBudule2]

The manual is saying that if you have a spare tire mounted on the rear, that you should be stopped to engage the locking differential, whereas if you don't have a spare mounted, you can engage it while moving.

That sounds sketchy to me for some reason ?...

 

[RangerBill]

That sounds sketchy to me for some reason ?...

I believe it is because the two rear mounted tires would be different diameters causing it to be more difficult to lock while moving.

 

[NotBudule2]

I believe it is because the two rear mounted tires would be different diameters causing it to be more difficult to lock while moving.

Ok, that would make more sense, I was thinking it was some kind of weight issue...

 

[Grandaccess]

A few days ago, I had a similar issue. I have never used the differential lock but while going through a drive-thru I heard the back tires kind of squealing as I made the right hand turn to the window. Looked at the dash and noticed the rear was locked. I figured I must have pressed the button for it by accident 40 miles back as I disengaged the auto-stop from working. In those 40 miles it was all highway and had made no turns whatsoever besides pulling into the fast food joint. I pressed the lock button again (light went out) thinking I had disengaged it before proceeding any further. That did not seem to work though. As I pulled back onto the highway I saw the indicator light back on but it went out as I increased speed. I had another 40 highway miles to go and never saw it illuminated again until I was pulling into my driveway. I just read in this post that it takes a long press on the lock button to disengage it. I did not know this until now. Thanks for that info.

I totally agree, the placement of the knob for 4x4, 4x2 and 4x4L are in a bad location. Too easy to accidently bump it. This has happened a few times already.

that also sounds like what happened when a wheel sensor got lose or went bad on my last ford, the truck thought one wheel was going slower and lost traction and locked it up itself, or if you have to put the spare tire on and its smaller that may happen?

 

[NotBudule2]

The manual is saying that if you have a spare tire mounted on the rear, that you should be stopped to engage the locking differential, whereas if you don't have a spare mounted, you can engage it while moving.

I only read the last line and missed the whole mismatched spare paragraph, my bad ?, I assumed everybody would have the right size tires and Ford assumes (correctly) that people( like me that dont read everything)are stupid... now I feel the need to go lock mine in and out since it's been almost 2 years I think ? since i last did...

 

[Motorpsychology]

Note: We recommend that you engage and disengage the electronic locking differential when stopped, and a spare tire is mounted on the rear axle.
From the manual , 2 second hold to engage so no way to bump it on ...
Also the last line of instructions recommends a spare tire be mounted on rear axle ?

If you had a flat with the 18" stock or aftermarket larger tires, you would probably have put on the spare tire. On Rangers with stock 18s, the spare is a 70- profile 17 inch, which is slightly less diameter. So I think Ford's logic is if the spare is mounted on the rear locking axle, it may not engage/disengage properly, due to the different wheel speeds between the two ends of the axle.

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