Rear diff lock wont engage? :(

Gaz · 05-01-09, 01:16 AM

a couple of days ago i used the center and rear diff lock to climb our hill due to possible ice. (better safe than sorry)

then i disengaged when i got to the top. but the following day i tried it again and the rear light wont come on ???

i remember hearing a 'clink' type sound halfway up the hill on the least steep part, I haven't had a chance to have a look underneath the car cause its dark when i get back from work but could it be fu8ked?

I hoping its just a vac hose issue, but i don't see why it would be if it worked before and the center still engages as normal.

any ideas?

sam · 05-01-09, 10:15 PM

not sure about type-85 but my b3 80quattro did the same and it was a vacuum pipe in the engine bay had rubbed through, bright green if that helps any.firstly i jacked the car up and turned the wheel whilst pushing the arm to engage the diff lock and that worked fine. so then i decided to check the easy bit lol

Isimmo · 05-01-09, 10:20 PM

Yep, the diff lock actuator is almost identical to the central locking actuator in the doors, (a bellows arrangement with the actuator arm running off them). Whilst they can, and do sometimes go wrong, it's more likely to be a loss of vacuum. As sam says, check out the vacuum pipes, and also have a look under the rear seat, as some of the pipework runs that way too... (had the back seat out lately by chance?).

VBR
Ian

Gaz · 05-01-09, 10:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isimmo

Yep, the diff lock actuator is almost identical to the central locking actuator in the doors, (a bellows arrangement with the actuator arm running off them). Whilst they can, and do sometimes go wrong, it's more likely to be a loss of vacuum. As sam says, check out the vacuum pipes, and also have a look under the rear seat, as some of the pipework runs that way too... (had the back seat out lately by chance?).

VBR
Ian

rear seat out? yea .. as it happens. i'll check underthere as i might of snaged something.

Martc · 05-01-09, 11:20 PM

Mine ended up being a bulb failure on the diff lock panel

Gaz · 05-01-09, 11:38 PM

its a possibility i suppose., but like i say it was working as normal only a few days ago..

I wonder if that 'metallic clink' sound i heard was the arm snapping?

ah well, i'll dedicate my thursday off, to taking a look at it.

PeterB · 05-01-09, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gaz

its a possibility i suppose., but like i say it was working as normal only a few days ago..

I wonder if that 'metallic clink' sound i heard was the arm snapping?....

I doubt it Gaz. If all the vac piping is sound it could be that the linkage pivot is dry or seized, try a dose of WD40 and/or spray grease on it to see if it free's up.

Gaz · 09-01-09, 02:53 AM

Well.. i decided to have a look while on my 10min break at work the other day. I took a piece of cardboard and crawled on my back under the rear of the car.. The pin/arm is still attached, and I gave it a bit of the old 'in/out, in/out'

lol

turned the engine on and tested the dif lock and the rear now seems to be working.

but it is very oily around the rubber boot, there seems to be a little screwed type cir clip thingy on it, and its snapped in half. Is it suppose to stop oil escaping from the diff?

05-01-09, 10:20 PM	#3
Isimmo Super Moderator Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Sissix-by-the-sea Posts: 15,218	Yep, the diff lock actuator is almost identical to the central locking actuator in the doors, (a bellows arrangement with the actuator arm running off them). Whilst they can, and do sometimes go wrong, it's more likely to be a loss of vacuum. As sam says, check out the vacuum pipes, and also have a look under the rear seat, as some of the pipework runs that way too... (had the back seat out lately by chance?). VBR Ian __________________ 1985 WR quattro, 1985 20vT RallyRep, 1993 MTM ABY S2 Avant. 2010 S3 Sportback.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
lockable front diff?/Torsen front diff?	Gaz	Transmission	10	16-01-10 01:54 AM
diff lock photo	andy	Transmission	1	27-09-09 08:28 PM
Powerflex rear diff mount	Andy10v	Parts For Sale	1	24-07-09 06:55 AM
WR rear diff and gearbox	quattrokid	Parts For Sale	3	18-05-09 09:07 PM
rear diff WR	quattrokid	General Chat	0	18-04-09 08:04 PM

05-01-09, 10:15 PM	#2
sam Grown up member Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: North east Posts: 778	not sure about type-85 but my b3 80quattro did the same and it was a vacuum pipe in the engine bay had rubbed through, bright green if that helps any.firstly i jacked the car up and turned the wheel whilst pushing the arm to engage the diff lock and that worked fine. so then i decided to check the easy bit lol

05-01-09, 11:20 PM	#5
Martc Black Coupe Collector Classic Audi Club Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Towcestershiresheer Posts: 2,934	Mine ended up being a bulb failure on the diff lock panel

05-01-09, 11:38 PM	#6
Gaz Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Five Cylinder heaven Posts: 1,494	its a possibility i suppose., but like i say it was working as normal only a few days ago.. I wonder if that 'metallic clink' sound i heard was the arm snapping? ah well, i'll dedicate my thursday off, to taking a look at it.

09-01-09, 02:53 AM	#8
Gaz Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Five Cylinder heaven Posts: 1,494	Well.. i decided to have a look while on my 10min break at work the other day. I took a piece of cardboard and crawled on my back under the rear of the car.. The pin/arm is still attached, and I gave it a bit of the old 'in/out, in/out' lol turned the engine on and tested the dif lock and the rear now seems to be working. but it is very oily around the rubber boot, there seems to be a little screwed type cir clip thingy on it, and its snapped in half. Is it suppose to stop oil escaping from the diff?