Austin's E-Lock Mod:
E-Lock Locked in 2WD & 4HI & 4LO
Nissan Frontier 4x4 with OEM Electronic Locking Differential
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Wiring Diagram
If you have any questions, direct them to Austin on Nissan Titan Forum.
Original Nissan Titan E-Lock Mod
This
modification was originally performed on my Nissan Titan. I've adapted it
to the Frontier
by using the factory service manual for the 2005 Frontier, revision November
2004.
I've received reports from several Frontier owners that this mod works
perfectly.
YOU MUST DISCONNECT THE
VEHICLE'S BATTERY
BEFORE PERFORMING ANY ELECTRICAL WORK.
To perform this modification, you'll need a double pole double
throw relay (Radio Shack p/n 275-218),
a switch of your choice, elementary wiring skills and tools.
On my Titan, I've modified the wiring to the Diff Lock Control Unit - now my
rear e-locker will lock up in 2WD,
4HI and 4LO.
I used a DPDT relay and a lit rocker switch controlling the relay to switch both
power and ground.
When I flip my rocker switch in 2WD, 4HI or 4LO, I get a lit DIFF LOCK light on
the instrument
cluster, and nothing else. So, I can have a locked rear diff and keep ABLS to
the front wheels.
I verified the diff is actually locked by putting the truck up on jackstands,
locking the rear diff in
2WD, shifting to Neutral and spinning
one rear tire - the other tire spins the same direction.
(An open differential
would cause the tire to spin the opposite direction.)
I also verified the diff is actually locked by playing in the dirt. In 2WD with
the diff locked, I lay down two
beautiful marks with no SLIP light. While turning, the inside rear tire slips -
it's obvious the diff is locked.
I'm still able to lock the rear diff in 4LO using the OEM switch.
I used a separate rocker switch (instead of using the OEM switch) and a DPDT
relay so that the installation
wouldn't cause any malfunction lamps, blinking no-worky lamps, or other
unintended results.
First - a failed attempt:
I tried to simulate the transfer case in 4LO by grounding out the 4LO switch.
Here's a bit of info about that:
The 4LO switch is a normally open switch, and it closes when the transfer gear
is under 4LO condition,
detected by the L-H shift fork position. The 4LO switch is located on the
transfer case, just inside
of the front prop shaft flange. The 4LO switch inputs to the Transfer Control
Unit.
I jumped across the 4LO switch, and across the 4LO and the Wait Detection
Switch. All it'll do is
confuse the Transfer Control Unit. The problem is that the 4WD Shift Switch
inputs to the
Transfer Control Unit, which then compares it to the various sensors on the
transfer case.
With the 4WD Shift Switch in 2WD or 4HI, when you jump the 4LO switch (pin 24 to
ground)
you'll get a flashing 4LO light - indicating a faulty 4LO switch or faulty
wiring to the 4LO Switch.
With the 4WD Shift Switch in 2WD, when you jump the 4LO switch (pin 24 to
ground) and the Wait
Detection Switch (pin 17 to ground), the 4WD Shift Indicator Lamp (the little
drivetrain picture that tells
you if you're 2x4 or 4x4) will go out and the 4WD Warning Lamp (the lamp that
says 4WD) will flash.
The problem is that the 4WD Shift Switch inputs to the Transfer Control Unit,
which then compares
it to the various sensors on the transfer case. When the 4WD Shift Switch
position isn't consistent with
the position sensors on the t-case, you get blinking lights and no-worky.
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Wiring Diagram
If you have any questions, direct them to Austin on Nissan Titan Forum.