2 questions...

1) Has anyone had problems with their e-locker motor? Just wondering if these things go out very often (mine seems to not be working correctly)

2) Can you just order the motor/actuator for the e-locker? I can't find a part number anywhere.

Thanks,
John

I've had my elocker for several years, and have been paying attention to posts about them, and the motor does not seem to be a trouble-prone item.

I've heard they can be ordered from Toyota, but that they are very expensive (several hundred $ I believe). You'd be better off trying to buy one off someone on one of these BBSs.

There is a kit that will convert it to be cable-operated (made by Downey), but I've heard bad things about it.

What exactly is the problem?

Well, for the long version click here

The short version is I couldn't get the locker to engage - cleaned and reconnected the ground wire to the locker- it locked but then would unlock - tried numerous things - couldn't get it unlocked.

So, I pulled off the actuator motor - and manually unlocked it. While I had the motor off the diff I kept it hooked up to the wires and had my wife flip the diff lock switch. the motor makes a noise like "zeeet" as if it is trying to turn the gear but the little gear that stick out of the motor barely turns (like maybe 1 degree rotation)when the switch is turned on and off.

It seems power is getting to the motor and th emotor makes noise but nothing happens. Bad motor? Bad wiring? I didn't wire the locker myself - so the wiring could be bad - but up untill a few weeks ago the locker seemed to engage and disengage fine.

One other not - my actuator doesn't have any tubeing stick out of it as I see in so many pics. Could that be the problem - dirt and grime got inside and has foulde up the motor?

Thanks,
John

Based on your description here and what I saw in that thread on yotatech (didn't read the whole thing), I'd say that something it the mechanism is gummed up.

You know that the motor winds a spring up, and that is what does the work to lock/unlock the locker.

I'd say there is nothing wrong with the wiring nor the motor. It sounds like your motor is running for about 1 second in both the lock and unlock directions, which is correct. The motor is shutting off and you hear the relays clicking. This tells me that the limit switches are being reached and everything is working properly on the motor-side of the spring.

However, the pinion gear (the little gear the drives the shift fork) doesn't sound like it is moving enough. Since it is driven by the spring, and the spring appears to be winding properly, my conclusion is that the output shaft is gunked up/rusted.

Looking at the pictures posted by Adam F, I can see a lot of rust on his mechanism in the area. This at least tells us it is possible for water to get in that part of the mechanism. I'd say, take it apart (not the motor housing like I did) and clean it up. Take a part what is shown in the last 3 pictures Adam posted, NOT the first two!!!!!!!! The last 3, while I have never disassembled that part myself, look like it would be safe to disassemble.

I think it locking after you messed with the ground was a coincidence. As long as you are hearing the motor run and the relays clicking in both directions, you know that the wiring and motor is OK.

Yes, there should be a breather tube coming out of the mechanism. This breather tube should be extended up high to keep water and other junk out. This sounds like the culprit.

Yes, that 2-connector plug on the mechanism is for the indicator light. It is a simple on-off switch, so hook a light up like you would with any other on-off switch: IÆd take a 12v light, mount it in your dash (or use the one on the switch). Hook +12v power to one of the leads on the light. Hook up the other lead on the light to one of the connectors on the plug on the diff (doesnÆt matter which one). Hook the other connector on that plug to ground. The light will come on when the locker is fully locked.

HTH

Aha, I didn't put 2 and 2 together - you're the carter whos website I read about taking the motor apart and what a bear it was to get it back together!! Thankfully I found your site cause I'd probably have a pile of motor parts in my lap right now. <img src="/forums/images/graemlins/drunk.gif" alt="" />

Thanks for the good response. I'm gonna study those pics Adam posted and see if I can figure out what you are saying about possible "safe' parts of the motor to open up and try to clean out.

John

On the "e3" picture I posted, you simply have to remove the snap ring on the pinion gear, pull it off, remove the few? phillips head screws that hold the cover on, and pull it off, exposing the bigger gear that are pictured in "e5" and e6"

So if I do that - there arn't any bearings or springs that will pop out by just taking that front plate off, right?

right. the large gear is just sitting in there IIRC