Beginning of locker sensor failure?

[Terrymo]

Hopefully i can just keep plugging one after the next until one makes the light go off without having to actually put back in place each time.

Once you install one you will see how easy it is. I put my iPhone on record and with the engine off and the diff cover off propped the phone up and took a video of the ring shifting over and engaging the locker quickly and with no lag on the indicator light. My videos won’t load cause I’m technologically challenged.

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[Wabujitsu]

I’ve been staring at my EVIC cluster display ever since I started this thread. It has not happened again; there’s only been the initial, very brief (maybe two seconds) flashing of the locker light. I’ve tested the lockers, and they work perfectly.

My mechanic unplugged both the front and back wire harnesses and plugged them back in. He noted that gear oil had migrated along the wires. That would *seem* to indicate that there is oil in the sensors. Is it possible for there to be no oil in the sensors, and the oil infiltrated the harnesses from somewhere outside of the sensors?

If there is oil in the sensors, why are they still working? It’s been probably 5K-10K miles since the diff oil was last changed. This is maddening!

 

[WannFly]

I’ve been staring at my EVIC cluster display ever since I started this thread. It has not happened again; there’s only been the initial, very brief (maybe two seconds) flashing of the locker light. I’ve tested the lockers, and they work perfectly.

My mechanic unplugged both the front and back wire harnesses and plugged them back in. He noted that gear oil had migrated along the wires. That would *seem* to indicate that there is oil in the sensors. Is it possible for there to be no oil in the sensors, and the oil infiltrated the harnesses from somewhere outside of the sensors?

If there is oil in the sensors, why are they still working? It’s been probably 5K-10K miles since the diff oil was last changed. This is maddening!

That oil doesn't affect the sensor, the metal shavings in the oil is what would short that PCB. It is completely possible that your sensor is bone dry. Mine was like yours in the front diff, oil in the wire connectors, but sensor bone dry

 

[Frankenstein2124]

Once you install one you will see how easy it is. I put my iPhone on record and with the engine off and the diff cover off propped the phone up and took a video of the ring shifting over and engaging the locker quickly and with no lag on the indicator light. My videos won’t load cause I’m technologically challenged.

I didn't think they would engage without it running , so I learned something new. I definitely appreciate the assistance this is new territory for me. I aint afraid of bearings & seals but diffs have never been my thing.

 

[Frankenstein2124]

Once you install one you will see how easy it is. I put my iPhone on record and with the engine off and the diff cover off propped the phone up and took a video of the ring shifting over and engaging the locker quickly and with no lag on the indicator light. My videos won’t load cause I’m technologically challenged.

I just want to know how you got it that oil free in there

 

[Terrymo]

I didn't think they would engage without it running , so I learned something new. I definitely appreciate the assistance this is new territory for me. I aint afraid of bearings & seals but diffs have never been my thing.

Hmm now I’m doubting my memory…I thought I was in run mode with the engine off.
@chevymitchell ?

 

[Wabujitsu]

That oil doesn't affect the sensor, the metal shavings in the oil is what would short that PCB. It is completely possible that your sensor is bone dry. Mine was like yours in the front diff, oil in the wire connectors, but sensor bone dry

Thank you, Priyo!! That is very reassuring! Perhaps the very brief flashing was a computer gremlin, or the oil in the pass-through caused a slight but brief resistance, enough to trigger the idiot light (that’s an old-school term that I haven’t seen used here).

 

[Terrymo]

Thank you, Priyo!! That is very reassuring! Perhaps the very brief flashing was a computer gremlin, or the oil in the pass-through caused a slight resistance, enough to trigger the idiot light (that’s an old-school term that I haven’t seen used here).

I know idiot lights…it’s the DTCs that are confusing.

 

[chevymitchell]

Hmm now I’m doubting my memory…I thought I was in run mode with the engine off.
@chevymitchell ?

You are correct.

Put Jeep in 4LO. Run position, Engine off.

You can cycle the lockers like this.

 

[Frankenstein2124]

Thanks everyone big helps

 

[Buckster]

Buck, is that something I could have you do at your shop, including the potting?

Could have, but I closed the shop last year. Back to running power plants and letting somebody else sign my paycheck

 

[JLURobicon]

All I do know is I was driving on the highway, stopped in a U Turn lane and my rear locker engaged an I didn't even know it until I made the turn.

First, thank you all for the conversation, some great personalities and information here!

I've had a '98 TJ for many years - ARB locker up front, Detroit in the rear, so I've become very accustomed to what a little rear end parking lot chirp feels like now and then

A couple of months ago I picked up a '19 JLUR and have seen the "service axle locker" light come and go a few times but lockers worked fine when I wheeled it

Some quick research here eased my mind learning about these sensors, but now that I read this particular thread (thanks for the story @mgroeger !) I had to add that just yesterday I pulled into my bank parking lot and chirped my way to the ATM... 2H but the dang rear end was locked

Cycled locker on and off with the switch to no avail; it ended up unlocking after backing up a couple of times and after adding another 200 miles today, including numerous parking lots, it hasn't happened again

So ya, I'm gonna go the bypass cable route but sure am curious what would've made it decide to lock itself that one time (I just now ran outside and checked to see if it had a Tazer I didn't know about, but nope)

 

[mgroeger]

First, thank you all for the conversation, some great personalities and information here!

I've had a '98 TJ for many years - ARB locker up front, Detroit in the rear, so I've become very accustomed to what a little rear end parking lot chirp feels like now and then

A couple of months ago I picked up a '19 JLUR and have seen the "service axle locker" light come and go a few times but lockers worked fine when I wheeled it

Some quick research here eased my mind learning about these sensors, but now that I read this particular thread (thanks for the story @mgroeger !) I had to add that just yesterday I pulled into my bank parking lot and chirped my way to the ATM... 2H but the dang rear end was locked

Cycled locker on and off with the switch to no avail; it ended up unlocking after backing up a couple of times and after adding another 200 miles today, including numerous parking lots, it hasn't happened again

So ya, I'm gonna go the bypass cable route but sure am curious what would've made it decide to lock itself that one time (I just now ran outside and checked to see if it had a Tazer I didn't know about, but nope)

Glad I could help! I think you are actually the worst case that has been reported on here.

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