Disco 2 Diff lock lamp

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DaveMac

Member
Posts
58
Disco 2 td5 man, 2001
After a year not towing I coupled up my caravan. Checks all lights etc, all good. Climbed in Disco and was confronted by the "DIFF LOCK" indicator on. I had never ever seen this lamp on before!
Driving seemed ok so towed van 300mls, with light continually on. Read to ceck fuse F25, rev lights and brake lights, but all ok...... Do I have a serious problem, or can I return home with this ? I am sure that coupling up the caravan is connected with this.
If I knew where the sensor is located I could check this but after a crawl under I could not locate the switch.
Anybody give me clue to find and check ?
Is this a serious problem ? Can I drive home with it in this state ? I'm up in the Highlands of Scotland at the moment so limited on what I can do.
Any advice on this would be greatly appreciated.
 
The switch for the diff lock is on top of the transfer box IIRC.
There is no way coupling up the caravan could physically 'lock the CDL' so must be electric related. If you uncouple the electrics from the caravan does the CDL lamp go out?? I assume you gave the ABS TC and HDC amber lights on too which won't go out when you put the ignition on when the CDL lights on?!
As long as all your lights are working, I would just check the diff lock isn't locked, jack up a front wheel and check wheel rotates freely. If that's the case....it's ok to drive. If the CDL is locked don't drive home without sorting it !!
 
Hi, Thanks for getting back. With caravan disconnected, the light remains on. In fact it is now on all the time.
No other lights stay on when ignition on checks have completed their time-out, and all other functions are normal when driving without caravan.
Ie no "3 amigos" or any other problems. All working fine, just this damn light is now on !!!
Will jack up and try wheel rotation as you suggest, and get back.
Thanks
 
OK. Jacked up front o/s. Engine off, handbrake on, gear in neutral. Wheel turns ok several revolutions, with a little effort, but turns just fine.
Is it OK to drive home (300mls) with this Lamp still on ?
 
Unplug the switch if it's not accidentaly unplugged and the wire touches earth

CDL switch.jpg
 
Thanks for nice clear pic.
I will give disconnecting the plug a go tomorrow. It's getting dark here anb bloody cold !!!
Can you tell me which way the switch is meant to work. Eg If switch shorts or opens the two wires for the light to be on or off ?
 
OK perfect. Thanks for taking the time to help me folks.
Clawing underneath then, when I get back home in a couple of weeks.
Will update forum in due course.
Many thanks.
 
Maybe a silly question, but does the car have diff lock fitted? have you ever checked if it has the diff lock mech, if not via the lever system then in the transfer box?

Cheers
 
Hi,
Good question. I have aways assumed that my Disco did not have "Diff lock". There is no manual selection for this.
It has the selectable "hill descent control" HDC system and also the automatic "anti lock braking system" ABS.
Both these work using the braking system if wheel spin is sensed.
There is no mention of a "Diff lock" in my manual and also the 4 weel "Diff lock" lamp is not shown or mentioned anywhere on section covering warning panel lights.
So do I have a "Diff lock" fitted ? I do not think so.
 
DaveMac said:
So do I have a "Diff lock" fitted ? I do not think so.
Click to expand...

The D2 can be a strange duck ref the Diff lock.

Some have it fitted ,
Some only have the mechanism in the Transfer box.
Some have nothing fitted and rely on only the electrickery to keep the vehicle moving.

I am surprised your manual does not mention it.

If you look at the photo above, you can see the diff lock engagement mechanism in the front "nose" of the t box, which is an easy way to check, or you can also check using the serial number.

Cheers
 
OK you may be right. Even if my box has the mechanism inards, I presume there is no way it could be engaged if there is no mechanical selection lever ?
Maybe a call to Landrover, with vehicle no's etc, might get me somewhere, but with the Disco now 16yrs old, I suspect they will not be too helpful.
Many thanks for your help.
 
If it has the internal mechanism then it can be selected using a spanner on the engagement spigot that is visible in the picture. Not something that should happen by accident.

Cheers
 
DaveMac said:
OK. Jacked up front o/s. Engine off, handbrake on, gear in neutral. Wheel turns ok several revolutions, with a little effort, but turns just fine.
Is it OK to drive home (300mls) with this Lamp still on ?
Click to expand...
yes as since wheel turns diff lock is not engaged
 
OK thanks folks for all the help. I can travel home to South Scotland in a couple of weeks, without worrying.
Get to the bottom of the problem then.
Cheers
 
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