Flashing centre diff light.

[HYDRO FAN]

Just bought a 2005 3.8 manual Pajero, as soon as I hit 100kph on the open road the centre diff light flashes, if I stop and restart the motor all is well until I hit about 100 again. around town it doesn't flash at all.
A friends auto version does the same thing, he says its normal. Cant find much in the owners book about it.
Getting a bit worried as my NL doesn't do it. Any suggestions?

[Having Fun]

I can't help, but it's definitely not normal.

[RUGGA]

Just bought a 2005 3.8 manual Pajero, as soon as I hit 100kph on the open road the centre diff light flashes, if I stop and restart the motor all is well until I hit about 100 again. around town it doesn't flash at all.
A friends auto version does the same thing, he says its normal. Cant find much in the owners book about it.
Getting a bit worried as my NL doesn't do it. Any suggestions?

As Having Fun says, its not normal and its probably the most commonly asked question in the Gen3 section. Its probably the front diff solenoids under the air box but have you tried reading the trouble codes?

https://www2.pajeroclub.com.au/forum/showthread.php?t=20313

[markandliz]

The most common problem is the solenoid valve under the airbox. Prices are cheap on eBay, the solenoid takes vacuum pressure off of the Inlet Manifold its worth checking all vacuum hoses making sure there no splits. There is also a vacuum unit that sits close to the front diff which operates a leaver to engage the front diff, which has been known to seize.

As said most common is the solenoid under the airbox

[nj swb]

If it was something to do with the front solenoids I would expect flashing front lights before the flashing centre diff.

If everything is happy until the centre light starts flashing, and it only ever happens above 100km/h, I'd be suspecting tyre differences.

Are all the tyres a matching set of similar age, or do you have a bit of a mix? Have you checked tyre pressures?

[RUGGA]

If it was something to do with the front solenoids I would expect flashing front lights before the flashing centre diff.

That would make sense but it is not how the lights operated on mine. Solenoids were the problem and only Center light starts flashing.

Hydro, try putting the car in 4H, go for the same sort of drive that would normally trigger the light. Let us know what happens with the light (should not come on) OR you could just test the solenoids by applying 12v directly to terminals and listen for a click? (if you are so inclined)

[uditha]

That would make sense but it is not how the lights operated on mine. Solenoids were the problem and only Center light starts flashing.

Hydro, try putting the car in 4d, go for the same sort of drive that would normally trigger the light. Let us know what happens with the light (should not come on) OR you could just test the solenoids by applying 12v directly to terminals and listen for a click? (if you are so inclined)

Second that. I found out one of the solenoids was faulty by applying 12v directly from battery. First and the easiest check.

[Bywaysnothighways]

Similar issue

My 2004 has done something similar since I’ve had it ( about 1 year). After I drive about 10-15 miles the center diff light flashes orange and the other tire lights turn off. Once this happens I can’t change for 2wd to 4wd unless I turn it off and back on again. It’s mostly a sight annoyance but I’d love to figure out what happens after 10 or so miles that causes it. For mine it is not related to speed at all.

[RUGGA]

try putting the car in 4H, go for the same sort of drive that would normally trigger the light. Let us know what happens with the light (should not come on) OR you could just test the solenoids by applying 12v directly to terminals and listen for a click? (if you are so inclined)

My 2004 has done something similar since I’ve had it ( about 1 year). After I drive about 10-15 miles the center diff light flashes orange and the other tire lights turn off. Once this happens I can’t change for 2wd to 4wd unless I turn it off and back on again. It’s mostly a sight annoyance but I’d love to figure out what happens after 10 or so miles that causes it. For mine it is not related to speed at all.

Give this a try Or run the fault codes

[RUGGA]

I’d love to figure out what happens after 10 or so miles that causes it.

The faulty solenoid does not hold the vacuum needed to keep the front diff actuator in 2H only. Default resting position is 4H i.e. - car switched off.

[nj swb]

The faulty solenoid does not hold the vacuum needed to keep the front diff actuator in 2H only. Default resting position is 4H i.e. - car switched off.

If the actuator loses vacuum while you're driving there's no mistaking the fault.

In 2H the two sides of the actuator are spinning in opposite directions. If vacuum is lost and the free-wheeling clutch attempts to engage while the wheels are turning it makes a horrible noise.

[RUGGA]

If the actuator loses vacuum while you're driving there's no mistaking the fault.

In 2H the two sides of the actuator are spinning in opposite directions. If vacuum is lost and the free-wheeling clutch attempts to engage while the wheels are turning it makes a horrible noise.

Once again NJ, I have read all that very often and was going to include it but my car never behaved that way - no noise just the regular consistencies of the light coming on under certain conditions -

Edit = It is factual and all relevant though.

[Bywaysnothighways]

Give this a try Or run the fault codes

Yes I have already done this test in 4wd during long trail days and you are correct it will not go into flashing mode.

Are you saying that when I’m in 2wd and the flashing starts it is going into 4wd?

I have scan gauge and this doesn’t show up any fault codes.

[Bywaysnothighways]

The faulty solenoid does not hold the vacuum needed to keep the front diff actuator in 2H only. Default resting position is 4H i.e. - car switched off.

So is the fix to just replace this solenoid?

[RUGGA]

So is the fix to just replace this solenoid?

For my situation, yes. Very easy to test the 2 solenoids; (under the air filter box) simply apply 12v directly to them 1 at a time and you should hear a definite Click.

There can be many more issues like cracked or leaking hoses or the vac canister or the actuator etc but this is easy to test and often is the prob.

Out of curiosity, is yours making a grinding noise when the light starts to flash or until you need to switch it off ???


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