Pajero 4th Generation Blinking Center Diff Lock Light

[Luke K P]

 

Must be in 4HLC or 4LLC

Move to N or P

Press diff lock switch.

Wait for flashing light to become solid.

Of light does not become solid. Engage D, press accelerator slowly three times, allowing car to return to idle. Engage R, press accelerator slowly three times, allowing car to return to idle. If stuck in soft ground. Attempt to repeatedly move backward and forward. 

Edited March 18 by Luke K P

[Gaurav]

1 hour ago, BennyB said:

If the REAR Diff lock is blinking what are usually the issues? I was testing the 4wd system on a 3.8 today and 4H, 4HLC and 4LLC engaged ok (from 2H to 4H it did require to move the car couple of meters to stop blinking) - but when i pressed the rear diff lock button the indicator just kept blinking no matter what i tried. 

Check or replace the vacuum pipe that goes just behind the driver seat - underneath the car and connects the black rubber pipe to the rear locker. 

If this is fine, check for an air compressor behind the driver seat - inside the car side panel. If you hear the compressor noise when engaging the rear diff lock, that means the compressor is fine. @Luke K P can you confirm if you hear the compressor noise in gen 4?

Mine (Gen 2.5) was lazy for a long time, check and the mechanic fixed the wiring correctly and changed the compressor, then it engaged instantly.

[Luke K P]

EDIT: yes I can get hear the compressor start and run for about 10 seconds behind drivers seat. @Gaurav

 

Can't say I've ever noticed/heard a compressor noise behind drivers seat when engaging the locker.

Will check this morning on way to work and update. 👍

Edited March 19 by Luke K P

[BennyB]

The car in question i was testing for buying (i think i remember hearing the compressor noise when pushing the button but not 100%) - anyway if i agree with the seller about the price im gonna get it tested to a private garage to eliminate surprises - i was curious if its a common issue or something that can become very expensive to fix.

Ty for the replies!

[WassimB]

Hello, I have same problem on my Pajero 2012. This happened after I had maintenance work (differential oil changed, rear bushing, front joint/arms). After I drive for like 20 km, center orange light starts blinking, green lights off. A car restart will fix it. Happened twice so far. Is it dangerous to drive on this condition?

Thanks.

[Frederic]

4 hours ago, WassimB said:

Hello, I have same problem on my Pajero 2012. This happened after I had maintenance work (differential oil changed, rear bushing, front joint/arms). After I drive for like 20 km, center orange light starts blinking, green lights off. A car restart will fix it. Happened twice so far. Is it dangerous to drive on this condition?

Thanks.

Pretty sure during the maintenance one of the vacuum hoses came loose. It's not harmful to drive like that but fuel consumption will be slightly more as it's not completely in freewheel 2WD now.

Better to get the solenoid and actuator checked and/or replaced.

[TheoB]

Hi,

I'm having a similar issue with my 2015 3.8l since the weekend.

In my case I engaged 4LLc to go over a relatively steep and rocky hill. There were three of these on the trail and I did this same trail three weeks back. I have to add that the Pajero did it smoothly with the aid of the great traction control. As luck would have it, when I tried to go back to 4H after clearing the last obstacle, the center diff light started flashing.

My car is at a garage now and the fault came from the transfer case apparently, "switch 63" is what they said. So it is either the motor outside the transfer case or some internals. Now they've checked the motor and let me know it is the transfer case that needs to be replaced. I'm expecting a call back soon.

Please can anyone way in here if you have experience with this or if there is another possibility before spending a fortune. 

My local number and Whatsapp is +971507972796 if it's easier to discuss.

I'll appreciate any advice.

Thank you.

Theo

 

 

 

[Frederic]

22 minutes ago, TheoB said:

Hi,

I'm having a similar issue with my 2015 3.8l since the weekend.

In my case I engaged 4LLc to go over a relatively steep and rocky hill. There were three of these on the trail and I did this same trail three weeks back. I have to add that the Pajero did it smoothly with the aid of the great traction control. As luck would have it, when I tried to go back to 4H after clearing the last obstacle, the center diff light started flashing.

My car is at a garage now and the fault came from the transfer case apparently, "switch 63" is what they said. So it is either the motor outside the transfer case or some internals. Now they've checked the motor and let me know it is the transfer case that needs to be replaced. I'm expecting a call back soon.

Please can anyone way in here if you have experience with this or if there is another possibility before spending a fortune. 

My local number and Whatsapp is +971507972796 if it's easier to discuss.

I'll appreciate any advice.

Thank you.

Theo

 

 

 

Hey @TheoB I am really surprised to hear that. There is indeed a sensor on top of the transfer case, which is a pain to replace as it's sitting on top of the transfer case and they would need to drop the transfer case in order to access/replace it.

But replacing the transfer case ? That sounds very suspicious to me. I would ask them to show you the broken part inside the transfer case. These things are really reliable can can go for many many years if properly serviced with fluids.

[Gaurav]

I recently encountered, a super decorated "Pajero only specialist" who couldn't run the diagnostic and charged me for a useless report showing - "Not equipped" in all areas. And to end the debate he claimed, changed the Transmission as that's the only way to resolve the issue.

Central diff lock blinking light also appears if low on fluid, when it can't engage fully. Have you checked the differential fluid?

As a first step, better to replace if in doubt as it's a healthy and low-cost fix to refresh the fluid. Could you check all connectors that come on top of the transmission housing? 

Do you know if the guy checked with the computer diagnostic tool to show the relevant fault code to suggest changing the whole transfer case?

 

[Frederic]

18 hours ago, TheoB said:

Hi,

I'm having a similar issue with my 2015 3.8l since the weekend.

In my case I engaged 4LLc to go over a relatively steep and rocky hill. There were three of these on the trail and I did this same trail three weeks back. I have to add that the Pajero did it smoothly with the aid of the great traction control. As luck would have it, when I tried to go back to 4H after clearing the last obstacle, the center diff light started flashing.

My car is at a garage now and the fault came from the transfer case apparently, "switch 63" is what they said. So it is either the motor outside the transfer case or some internals. Now they've checked the motor and let me know it is the transfer case that needs to be replaced. I'm expecting a call back soon.

Please can anyone way in here if you have experience with this or if there is another possibility before spending a fortune. 

My local number and Whatsapp is +971507972796 if it's easier to discuss.

I'll appreciate any advice.

Thank you.

Theo

 

 

 

Just trying to get few more details:

- Did you have a Check Engine light? Or only the blinking center diff light ?

- Did you shift from 4LLC back to 4H in one go, or did you put the gear in neutral first ?

- Did the orange light keep blinking in 2H on the way home ? Did it ever stop blinking even after restarting the vehicle ? Or does it only start blinking after about 20mins of driving ?