Front Locker Coil/Solenoid Actuator Dead - Sources?

[metz31]

Is it possible to just install a resitor or diode between the sensor wires to mimic the current and trick the computer like the after market locker harness? If so does anyone have the part number for the resistor/diode?

Seems easy, snip snip, solder solder, seal, done. Save $200, win.

For the record, my warranty expired in Apr, sensor issues in May, have a tazer to turn off the dash warning lights. Also contemplating just rewiring with the stand alone harness and switch solutions. Then I can have front lockers only as an option.

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[roaniecowpony]

Is it possible to just install a resitor or diode between the sensor wires to mimic the current and trick the computer like the after market locker harness? If so does anyone have the part number for the resistor/diode?

Seems easy, snip snip, solder solder, seal, done. Save $200, win.

For the record, my warranty expired in Apr, sensor issues in May, have a tazer to turn off the dash warning lights. Also contemplating just rewiring with the stand alone harness and switch solutions. Then I can have front lockers only as an option.

I'm guessing that's all the aftermarket harness is. As for isolating the wiring from the DTCM, that's ok. But, I can't imagine only needing the front locker. The rear locker is the one that gets used most often, since the front wheels are so unloaded on steep stuff going up. Need of the front locker is rare. I've run the Rubicon trail twice and several Moab BOH trails along with many others without the front locker being functional. Now that I fixed it, I put it on more than necessary, mostly just to see if my fix is still working .

 

[metz31]

I'm guessing that's all the aftermarket harness is. As for isolating the wiring from the DTCM, that's ok. But, I can't imagine only needing the front locker. The rear locker is the one that gets used most often, since the front wheels are so unloaded on steep stuff going up. Need of the front locker is rare. I've run the Rubicon trail twice and several Moab BOH trails along with many others without the front locker being functional. Now that I fixed it, I put it on more than necessary, mostly just to see if my fix is still working .

I would like them independently selectable (eventually).

I'm sure the correct sensor signal can be repeated right there at the sensor plug, just like the aftermarket options. There's no magic happening, just sending the right signal to the computer from the sensor.

 

[roaniecowpony]

I would like them independently selectable (eventually).

I'm sure the correct sensor signal can be repeated right there at the sensor plug, just like the aftermarket options. There's no magic happening, just sending the right signal to the computer from the sensor.

If you're going to isolate the locker wiring from the DTCM, remove/bypass the sensors in the axle housing and run the locker coil actuator directly to the pass-through connector. Then run your own wiring to your switches. No signal fooling resistors, etc..

 

[THAW]

Is it possible to just install a resitor or diode between the sensor wires to mimic the current and trick the computer like the after market locker harness? If so does anyone have the part number for the resistor/diode?

Seems easy, snip snip, solder solder, seal, done. Save $200, win.

For the record, my warranty expired in Apr, sensor issues in May, have a tazer to turn off the dash warning lights. Also contemplating just rewiring with the stand alone harness and switch solutions. Then I can have front lockers only as an option.

Your Tazer has a front-locker-only feature.

 

[roaniecowpony]

Can anyone think of a situation where locking only the front and leaving the rear open, would be needed?

 

[Gorilla57]

Can anyone think of a situation where locking only the front and leaving the rear open, would be needed?

Front dig/front burn situations, it would help. But since the Jeep t-case doesn't allow that, then very few scenarios for a JL. I have an Atlas in my buggy and a front dig/burn is used a ton.

 

[grimmjeeper]

Can anyone think of a situation where locking only the front and leaving the rear open, would be needed?

Doing a front dig.

Say you're in a hill and get turned. The rear tires end up pushing you further off the line you want to get back to.

If you lock the front and leave the rear unlocked, it can help pull you the direction you want to go. Add in a twin stick transfer case and it helps more. Add in cutting brakes (being able to apply brakes to just one of the two rear tires) and you can self correct a lot easier.

That being said, I almost never use front only locker settings. I had a twin stick case and independent locker switches in my JK. I tried an obstacle in multiple configurations between 2Lo with and without lockers front and rear. A front only locker would just break traction that much faster. The rear locker is so much more effective at climbing an obstacle. Of course, both together is the most effective.

My Truggy project has a twin stick NP205 and cutting brakes. But I'm setting that up to do way more than I did/do in my other Jeeps.

 

[metz31]

Your Tazer has a front-locker-only feature.

Not with rubicon switches.

 

[metz31]

Doing a front dig.

Say you're in a hill and get turned. The rear tires end up pushing you further off the line you want to get back to.

If you lock the front and leave the rear unlocked, it can help pull you the direction you want to go. Add in a twin stick transfer case and it helps more. Add in cutting brakes (being able to apply brakes to just one of the two rear tires) and you can self correct a lot easier.

That being said, I almost never use front only locker settings. I had a twin stick case and independent locker switches in my JK. I tried an obstacle in multiple configurations between 2Lo with and without lockers front and rear. A front only locker would just break traction that much faster. The rear locker is so much more effective at climbing an obstacle. Of course, both together is the most effective.

My Truggy project has a twin stick NP205 and cutting brakes. But I'm setting that up to do way more than I did/do in my other Jeeps.

100%

I never really care about front digs until I care about not rolling my truck down the trail...lol

 

[THAW]

Not with rubicon switches.

Yes, with Rubicon switches (there's no non-Rubicon with a factory front locker to be controlled by the Tazer, and there's no Rubicon without Rubicon switches).

The Rubicon indicator light wil show front+rear locked, but according to Z Automotive the button-remap-only feature locks the front alone.

 

[metz31]

If you're going to isolate the locker wiring from the DTCM, remove/bypass the sensors in the axle housing and run the locker coil actuator directly to the pass-through connector. Then run your own wiring to your switches. No signal fooling resistors, etc..

Tracking, this makes sense, I would just leave internals alone and make my own solution extrenally as opposed to spending $200 for $10 worth of diodes and resistors. Will post when I figure I out.

 

[metz31]

Yes, with Rubicon switches (there's no non-Rubicon with a factory front locker to be controlled by the Tazer, and there's no Rubicon without Rubicon switches).

The rear locker indicator light stays on, but according to Z Automotive the button-remap-only feature locks the front alone.

I realize this, hence...Rubicon locker switches as opposed to aftermarket (Lasfit) switches..lol. they aren't in any other model from the factory and never have been. Tracking.

When I select F/R, both are locked. We'll both used to be, right now, no front locker due to the sensor. Even with the Tazer, the front won't lock. Says unavailable and cancels both.

 

[THAW]

I realize this, hence...Rubicon locker switches as opposed to aftermarket (Lasfit) switches..lol. they aren't in any other model from the factory and never have been. Tracking.

When I select F/R, both are locked. We'll both used to be, right now, no front locker due to the sensor. Even with the Tazer, the front won't lock. Says unavailable and cancels both.

Yes, I get that your rear front locker is malfunctioning so your current situation is different.

Also, I just looked at the current Tazer JL Mini instruction sheet (firmware 11.4.5), and it seems the front only option is missing. I'm not sure what that means, but I did correspond via email with Z Automotive in late '23 about the feature and I still have a button mapped to it, so it did officially exist (I admit I've never verified it physically works).

 

[metz31]

Yes, I get that your rear locker is malfunctioning so your current situation is different.

Also, I just looked at the current Tazer JL Mini instruction sheet (firmware 11.4.5), and it seems the front only option is missing. I'm not sure what that means, but I did correspond via email with Z Automotive in late '23 about the feature and I still have a button mapped to it, so it did officially exist (I admit I've never verified it physically works).

My front locker sensor is the issue, not rear. I've had a couple JLs with tazers, back in 2020 it wasn't an option either. Put one in my 2018, no front only option back then, or now for that matter.

Can you verify the button you programmed? Interest to see if it actually works.

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