Big time center diff problems

[ScottyCBoy at aol.com]

Sounds like you've got internal transmission problems. The car should shift and drive with or without the center diff locked. Did you by chance take the trans apart?

Scott

In a message dated Tue, 19 Feb 2002 11:34:20 AM Eastern Standard Time, Tim Sexton <5kcstq at codenet.net> writes:

> Thanks for all the replies.  I did some more testing on the car yesterday,
> and If I mess with the diff lock rod enough, eventually it will engage.
> After that, I can use all 6 gears just like normal, however, it malfunctions
> shortly thereafter and I am back to grinding when I let the clutch out in
> any gear.  I can actually let the clutch all the way with the transmission
> in gear, and the car doesn't move.
>     I checked the shift linkage, and it is aligned correctly.  When the diff
> is engaged, the car shifts just fine, I just can't make the diff stay that
> way for very long.
>     Could it be a malfunctioning diff lock actuator?  Does the rod for the
> diff lock need to move an exact amount for it to be fully locked or
> unlocked?  I can visually see the rod being moved when I lock and unlock the
> diff with the switch.
> Thanks,
> Tim Sexton
>
> Huw Powell wrote:
>
> > >     I just finished replacing the clutch on my 86 4000csq and now the
> > > transfer case seems to be stuck in neutral.  The clutch seems to be
> > > operating fine, however, when you put the car in gear and let out the
> > > clutch the transfer case grinds like crazy and the car doesn't move.
> >
> > Well, it's not a transfer case, but anyway I'll take a stab it this - it
> > doesn't sound like you are actually getting the car into gear.
> >
> > The center diff. is always "engaged," it is just locked or unlocked when
> > you switch it.
> >
> > The 4kq shift mechanism is a real nightmare of a setup.  You may
> > discover that one of the many rods or levers is not properly attached,
> > or that it is not properly adjusted.
> >
> > I like to use reverse when doing a "seat of the pants" adjustment (read:
> > no proper tools).  Since 1. you can get confirmation that it is actually
> > in the gear you think it is from the backup lights, and 2. reverse
> > requires you to push down to avoid the lockout mechanism, it's the most
> > "precise" gear to fiddle around with.  Then just make sure the others
> > engage as well before washing your hands.
> >
> > The "proper" way (I think) is to have the tranny in neutral, ie at the
> > middle "rest" position, and use a tool to hold the shift lever dead
> > center while tightening it up.  But that is tough without the centering
> > tool.
> >
> > --
> > Huw Powell
> >
> > http://www.humanspeakers.com/audi/
> >
> > http://www.humanthoughts.org/