4wd inop

[Ikentrouble]

While off roading today, I drove up a hill then was proceeding to the next area when there was s ding and my service 4wd light came on. When I got to the base of another hill, I stopped in some rocks and sure enough no 4wd. I turned the Jeep off and waited 10 minutes and restarted it. The 4wd light was gone, but still no 4wd. Any hints on where to start???? 2019 Wrangler JLUR 3.6

 

[Disciple Off Road]

While off roading today, I drove up a hill then was proceeding to the next area when there was s ding and my service 4wd light came on. When I got to the base of another hill, I stopped in some rocks and sure enough no 4wd. I turned the Jeep off and waited 10 minutes and restarted it. The 4wd light was gone, but still no 4wd. Any hints on where to start???? 2019 Wrangler JLUR 3.6

Sounds like an issue with the FAD (front axle disconnect). Check the plug and wires. If you had a lift recently installed, the wires need to be freed up from the frame a tad or they will be too short and get pulled on causing damage.

 

[Mike Pierson]

While off roading today, I drove up a hill then was proceeding to the next area when there was s ding and my service 4wd light came on. When I got to the base of another hill, I stopped in some rocks and sure enough no 4wd. I turned the Jeep off and waited 10 minutes and restarted it. The 4wd light was gone, but still no 4wd. Any hints on where to start???? 2019 Wrangler JLUR 3.6

More than likely the locker sensor is shorted by debris in diff oil. It’s a known issue as the sensors aren’t potted. You don’t have to be using lockers for it to shut down the 4x4.

Edit: lol, or what Jeremy just said.

 

[Disciple Off Road]

More than likely the locker sensor is shorted by debris in diff oil. It’s a known issue as the sensors aren’t potted. You don’t have to be using lockers for it to shut down the 4x4.

Edit: lol, or what Jeremy just said.

Could be that too, just couldn’t remember if that fully disables 4WD.

 

[Mike Pierson]

Could be that too, just couldn’t remember if that fully disables 4WD.

It does, unfortunately. Robyn and I were on the way to Montana to see Alex and got the error just driving up the highway.

 

[Ikentrouble]

Thanks guys. I did do a lift in the summer, went with the AEV 3inch. The guy who fixed my mistakes, I installed the lift.... learned a lot but needed a pro to fix things. he adjusted the FAD, but I will check that. I've wheeled a bunch sense then. Now I'll add more to the soup, sorry. I was wheeling New Years eve, almost the whole day I had no real problems, it did sound at one point like I picked up a rock on the drivers side brake, but the squeek went away after about 200 yards of some twisty trails. Later in the day I did have a problem with shifting into 4 low and engaging lockers. I got an ABS, service 4wd and sway bar disconnect. I tuned the Jeep and restarted it and was able to shift to 4 low and engage lockers to get out of my predicament, it did that two more times before stopping. I finished out my day and went home. Now this. The plug on the diff, of course I need to change fluid, but can I just pull that out and clean it?

 

[jeeeep]

Thanks guys. I did do a lift in the summer, went with the AEV 3inch. The guy who fixed my mistakes, I installed the lift.... learned a lot but needed a pro to fix things. he adjusted the FAD, but I will check that. I've wheeled a bunch sense then. Now I'll add more to the soup, sorry. I was wheeling New Years eve, almost the whole day I had no real problems, it did sound at one point like I picked up a rock on the drivers side brake, but the squeek went away after about 200 yards of some twisty trails. Later in the day I did have a problem with shifting into 4 low and engaging lockers. I got an ABS, service 4wd and sway bar disconnect. I tuned the Jeep and restarted it and was able to shift to 4 low and engage lockers to get out of my predicament, it did that two more times before stopping. I finished out my day and went home. Now this. The plug on the diff, of course I need to change fluid, but can I just pull that out and clean it?

Figure out if it's the front or rear, as Mike stated, the sensors are not potted and over time oil seeps in and causes them to fail.

Went thru the same issue with my 2018, at the time, the sensor was stupid expensive now you get a kit of 5 different sensors and get to figure out which one actually works.

Instead of opening up the pumpkin and jacking with the sensor I used Z Automotive Z locker harness to bypass, and it works great, no issues shifting in and out of 4wd.

There are now multiple bypass sensors on Amazon far cheaper than Z automotive but haven't tried any of those

 

[Mike Pierson]

Figure out if it's the front or rear, as Mike stated, the sensors are not potted and over time oil seeps in and causes them to fail.

Went thru the same issue with my 2018, at the time, the sensor was stupid expensive now you get a kit of 5 different sensors and get to figure out which one actually works.

Instead of opening up the pumpkin and jacking with the sensor I used Z Automotive Z locker harness to bypass, and it works great, no issues shifting in and out of 4wd.

There are now multiple bypass sensors on Amazon far cheaper than Z automotive but haven't tried any of those

Yeah, should’ve mentioned I did the Zauto bypass too. My rear is bypassed and I have the other in my gear bag when the front goes out.

 

[Ikentrouble]

Ok guys after rereading what you guys said and looking at the parts online, I think we MIGHT be barking up the wrong tree. What seems to be happening is the transfer case is not engaging the front driveshaft, I can shift into 4h, neutral and 4low, but there is no sound of the transfer case engaging. I don't know maybe the actuator is broke or maybe the wires got messed up. Don't mean to step on toes, I listen to all advice.

 

[jeeeep]

Ok guys after rereading what you guys said and looking at the parts online, I think we MIGHT be barking up the wrong tree. What seems to be happening is the transfer case is not engaging the front driveshaft, I can shift into 4h, neutral and 4low, but there is no sound of the transfer case engaging. I don't know maybe the actuator is broke or maybe the wires got messed up. Don't mean to step on toes, I listen to all advice.

does the dash show 4h?

It's a 12v system, you could disconnect the connection at the axle and see if it's 12v when engaged, if it is then pretty good chance it's the sensor.

My understanding, the front driveshaft is engaged when the FAD is locked in place

 

[jesse3638]

Figure out if it's the front or rear, as Mike stated, the sensors are not potted and over time oil seeps in and causes them to fail.

Went thru the same issue with my 2018, at the time, the sensor was stupid expensive now you get a kit of 5 different sensors and get to figure out which one actually works.

Instead of opening up the pumpkin and jacking with the sensor I used Z Automotive Z locker harness to bypass, and it works great, no issues shifting in and out of 4wd.

There are now multiple bypass sensors on Amazon far cheaper than Z automotive but haven't tried any of those

Yeah, should’ve mentioned I did the Zauto bypass too. My rear is bypassed and I have the other in my gear bag when the front goes out.

Do tell about these bypass things. My wife's JL has had the "service locker" message for over a year now. I haven't had time to have the dealer look at it under warranty. If you by pass them will the lockers still function?

 

[jeeeep]

Do tell about these bypass things. My wife's JL has had the "service locker" message for over a year now. I haven't had time to have the dealer look at it under warranty. If you by pass them will the lockers still function?

Lockers operate like factory without the mess of opening up the pumpkin and replacing the sensor with another sensor that is also not potted

 

[jesse3638]

Lockers operate like factory without the mess of opening up the pumpkin and replacing the sensor with another sensor that is also not potted

From what I read you simply plug it in. Do I need a tazer to do anything with it?

 

[jeeeep]

From what I read you simply plug it in. Do I need a tazer to do anything with it?

no, simple, unplug the factory, plug the bypass in-line

 

[Mike Pierson]

From what I read you simply plug it in. Do I need a tazer to do anything with it?

Here’s the bypass. Super simple to install.

Z Locker OEM

Description Developed in a partnership with Americas Most Wanted 4X4! The locker sensor in Wrangler JL and Gladiator Rubicons have started to become problematic. When they fail, it usually starts out as a blinking locker indicator on the dash, which then ends up in a "service axle locker"...

www.zautomotive.com

 

[jesse3638]

no, simple, unplug the factory, plug the bypass in-line

Here’s the bypass. Super simple to install.

Z Locker OEM

Description Developed in a partnership with Americas Most Wanted 4X4! The locker sensor in Wrangler JL and Gladiator Rubicons have started to become problematic. When they fail, it usually starts out as a blinking locker indicator on the dash, which then ends up in a "service axle locker"...

www.zautomotive.com

Thanks for the info. If I can't get it fixed under warranty that's the route I'll go.

 

[Mike Pierson]

Thanks for the info. If I can't get it fixed under warranty that's the route I'll go.

No problem. Good to have a least one in the jeep before a wheeling trip, cheap insurance.

 

[jeeeep]

No problem. Good to have a least one in the jeep before a wheeling trip, cheap insurance.

mine failed after a casual offroad scenic drive, would not unlock and the service locker light on.

I got incredibly lucky after 30 minutes of pushing the lock/unlock switch and some forward/reverse shifting 4L to 4H it popped free.

longest and most panicked 30 minutes in a parking lot away from all services.

Like @Mike Pierson, I keep a spare in the Jeep but haven't had any issues in the 4-years it's been in place.