Trail Recon 392 Sold

[Jeep Wick]

What is this in reference to? What part broke?

Locker sensor.

Sponsored

 

[Spank]

So why doesn't everyone just install these and be done with it? You no longer have the use of the dash to know what your lockers are doing. You will not get any indication to know if they are engaged or not.

As far as I'm concerned, Jeep can continue to eat shit on entire axle replacements for a $30 sensor until someone there can grow a brain and offer the correct replacement parts for all years. While I don't disagree that as a seasoned JL owner, he should've known these locker sensors go bad, this issue is still the responsibility of Jeep while the vehicle is under warranty.

The systemic failure of Stellantis' dealership network and logistics, not to mention Jeep's complete lack of confidence in virtually anything they make, should continue to slap them in the face until they wake the fuck up.

 

[c20040215]

Lite Brite is on OnlyFans? Guess I learn something new today

That sucks. Sad to hear that. Hope it isn't true. Nice folks, but I don't care for whoring for money.

So are you okay if its whoring for free? lol
You can find anything on internet if you know how to search

 

[Barney392]

As far as I'm concerned, Jeep can continue to eat shit on entire axle replacements for a $30 sensor until someone there can grow a brain and offer the correct replacement parts for all years. While I don't disagree that as a seasoned JL owner, he should've known these locker sensors go bad, this issue is still the responsibility of Jeep while the vehicle is under warranty.

The systemic failure of Stellantis' dealership network and logistics, not to mention Jeep's complete lack of confidence in virtually anything they make, should continue to slap them in the face until they wake the fuck up.

Actually, factory replacement locker sensors have been available for quite a while now. But like many things Stellantis it's not a straight forward fix.

When you receive your replacement sensor you might be surprised to see 5 of them in the package. Each one will have a different label on the it. You will install the first one, don't recall if it's number 1 or letter A. If the first one doesn't fix the problem remove it and install the second one. If the second one doesn't fix the problem remove it and install the third sensor. So on and so forth! After you find the one that will work for you you will have 4 that won't work and will be of no use to you.

Better than nothing I guess?

 

[Plumbean]

[snip]

Here's what I know about the 392. It may or may not relate to the Jeep(s) you've had or have now. With most, but not all Jeeps, if your locker sensor fails you will not be able to engage your lockers. That's it. You will still have 4 wheel drive.

With the 392 not only do you lose the lockers but you will also lose all drive to the front axle.

[snip]

This is news to me, and since I have the same transfer case in my 3.6 it is of significant interest. Questions:

1. Why does the failure of the locker sensor disable the front axle completely?

2. Does it matter if it is the front sensor or the rear sensor?

3. Is it due to the transfer case or something else?

Wondering if I have to worry about this.

On a related note, does anyone know how to figure out if the locker sensor you have is the one where the problem has been fixed, or the old one? My understanding is that this was fixed at some point in the 2023 model year (and I have a 2023).

 

[Spank]

When you receive your replacement sensor you might be surprised to see 5 of them in the package. Each one will have a different label on the it. You will install the first one, don't recall if it's number 1 or letter A. If the first one doesn't fix the problem remove it and install the second one. If the second one doesn't fix the problem remove it and install the third sensor. So on and so forth! After you find the one that will work for you you will have 4 that won't work and will be of no use to you.

 

[S2k Chris]

I’m a casual watcher/fan of Brad’s. I watched this video over the weekend.

For me the overriding theme was “I had three different types of issues on my 392 and it caused me to lose faith in it so I sold it.” I completely empathize with that mindset. I felt the same way about my 4xe. I liked it, but it broke so much that I just didn’t trust it anymore and so it had to go. Yeah Brad’s stuff were known flaws. Yeah there are workarounds. But one can argue on an $85k (now $100k?) Jeep, you shouldn’t have to use the workarounds. Damned thing should just work. And if he found himself second guessing the Jeep, yeah, time to move on.


On the subject of YouTubers in general, you gotta remember A) these people are (or at least were) amateurs who just started doing this stuff and B) you’re consuming this content for free. If you don’t like it, go to the next video. But getting mad at these guys, I dunno, why get that bent out of shape at it? Just move on.

 

[Barney392]

This is news to me, and since I have the same transfer case in my 3.6 it is of significant interest. Questions:

1. Why does the failure of the locker sensor disable the front axle completely?

2. Does it matter if it is the front sensor or the rear sensor?

3. Is it due to the transfer case or something else?

Wondering if I have to worry about this.

On a related note, does anyone know how to figure out if the locker sensor you have is the one where the problem has been fixed, or the old one? My understanding is that this was fixed at some point in the 2023 model year (and I have a 2023).

I wish had had all the answers for you but I can only guess.

1. A guess is any time a 4 wheel drive error code is set it will disable the lockers and power to the front Differential.

2. I believe either will set the same code and same result.

3. Not sure of your question?

The only way to know for sure which sensors you have is to remove the differential cover and take a look. Easy to tell with the cover off. Just to be safe I would check both front and rear.

If it were me I would check and if you have the new sensor you shouldn't have anything to worry about. If you have the old type I would either pot them before they fail (once they fail they cannot be fixed). Or buy the product from ZAutomotive and carry them with you. If a problem occurs then install them. You may want to have two in case both sensors fail at the same time.

The one thing I would not do personally is ignore this.

https://www.zautomotive.com/product/z_lkr_oem/

Just in case you have nothing better to do there is some great info here regarding the potting of the sensors.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/locker-position-sensor-potting-dana-44.59581/

Please don't shoot the messenger!

 

[Plumbean]

I wish had had all the answers for you but I can only guess.

1. A guess is any time a 4 wheel drive error code is set it will disable the lockers and power to the front Differential.

2. I believe either will set the same code and same result.

3. Not sure of your question?

The only way to know for sure which sensors you have is to remove the differential cover and take a look. Easy to tell with the cover off. Just to be safe I would check both front and rear.

If it were me I would check and if you have the new sensor you shouldn't have anything to worry about. If you have the old type I would either pot them before they fail (once they fail they cannot be fixed). Or buy the product from ZAutomotive and carry them with you. If a problem occurs then install them. You may want to have two in case both sensors fail at the same time.

The one thing I would not do personally is ignore this.

https://www.zautomotive.com/product/z_lkr_oem/

Just in case you have nothing better to do there is some great info here regarding the potting of the sensors.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/locker-position-sensor-potting-dana-44.59581/

Please don't shoot the messenger!

Question 3 was trying to confirm that this has something to do with the clutch driven transfer case on the 392, which is the same transfer case as is in my 3.6 since I have the 4H Auto option. Or is it purely a 392 issue regardless of the transfer case.

 

[Ratbert]

Question 3 was trying to confirm that this has something to do with the clutch driven transfer case on the 392, which is the same transfer case as is in my 3.6 since I have the 4H Auto option. Or is it purely a 392 issue regardless of the transfer case.

If I remember correctly, the transfer case in the 392 was beefed up. Ditto for the 4xe.

 

[Plumbean]

If I remember correctly, the transfer case in the 392 was beefed up. Ditto for the 4xe.

I think the 392 uses a 2.72:1 ratio, and my 3.6 is 4:1. So they are different transfer cases. I'm still not sure if the transfer case is even relevant to the locker sensor issue. I don't see why it would be, but that seemed to be part of the explanation above.

@Barney392 : Maybe I misunderstood this?

 

[Barney392]

Question 3 was trying to confirm that this has something to do with the clutch driven transfer case on the 392, which is the same transfer case as is in my 3.6 since I have the 4H Auto option. Or is it purely a 392 issue regardless of the transfer case.

I wish I could answer your questions but I just don't know. If someone with a 3.6 and a clutch operated transfer case wants to try an experiment it would answer some of the questions?

If someone want's to try this? Climb under your Jeep and you will see a small wiring harness exiting the top of the differential. If you follow the harness up a small way you will see a connector. Pull the connector apart. Climb in the Jeep and start the engine and you should see a warning on the dash such as "Service 4 Wheel Drive". Could be different.

Put the Jeep in 4 wheel and see if it' engaged or not. If you have an asphalt of concrete driveway (good traction) just get the Jeep moving slowly and turn the steering all the way, left or right. If your in 4 wheel the Jeep will raise up slightly and stop moving. If it turns normally you do not have 4 wheel.

Plug the connector back together and the dash warning should go away. You may need JScan or a Taser to delete any codes that may have been set.

It would also be interesting if someone that has a regular transfer case (no clutches) but does have a FAD (front axle disconnect) try the same. The fad can take away 4 wheel drive also.

Anyone willing to give it a try?

 

[Chrisazm]

He was leaving it in 4H auto for off-road? Does he mention that? If true, that would help explain how he killed his T-case. Surprised it lasted 30K if he drove it like that off road. But, I think the problem goes deeper. - There are several reports of otherwise competent 392 owners having multiple issues with the T-case. One issue is there were whole bunch delivered from the factory only partially filled with ATF-4. I checked ours the day we bought it. It was about three-quarters of a quart low! (It's only about a 2 quart capacity. It was just barely over half full!) Unbelievably bad QA/QC from Jeep! FWIW, the diffs were also a little low, but not as bad as the T-case.

He killed his transfer case by towing his trailer off-road in 4 auto.

 

[Ratbert]

He killed his transfer case by towing his trailer off-road in 4 auto.

You're saying that based on what? Did he say that?

 

[S2k Chris]

In a 392 there is no 2H, it’s only 4A, 4H and 4L. Does he have to tow in 4H? That would seem odd.

Sponsored