Jeep shows axles locked

[fczabala]

Hey all, like title states, the IC and offroad pages show both axles locked but they aren't.

I went out wheeling over the weekend and locked both axles to get over some big rocks but when I pressed the axles off button the flashing light in the IC never went away until I turned the jeep off but when I check the offroad pages it shows both axles locked.

I've read about the TSB but I have no codes and no service axle locker message, I cleaned the wire connectors with contact cleaner and issue still persists

I'd like to avoid a trip to the dealer so I'm asking for advice, does this sound like oil in the sensors? I'm gonna remove and check them but what would be the best solutions? replace the sensors with potted ones? or would the z auto harness help get rid of the light and still use the lockers in "stock" form?

Sponsored

 

[Jeep Wick]

Hey all, like title states, the IC and offroad pages show both axles locked but they aren't.

I went out wheeling over the weekend and locked both axles to get over some big rocks but when I pressed the axles off button the flashing light in the IC never went away until I turned the jeep off but when I check the offroad pages it shows both axles locked.

I've read about the TSB but I have no codes and no service axle locker message, I cleaned the wire connectors with contact cleaner and issue still persists

I'd like to avoid a trip to the dealer so I'm asking for advice, does this sound like oil in the sensors? I'm gonna remove and check them but what would be the best solutions? replace the sensors with potted ones? or would the z auto harness help get rid of the light and still use the lockers in "stock" form?

Yes.
You can get the zauto harness or you can pot the sensors. Sometimes you can save the old ones, sometimes you can't. They do sell a kit which requires some trial and error, you'll need 2 kits to cover both axles.

 

[fczabala]

Yes.
You can get the zauto harness or you can pot the sensors. Sometimes you can save the old ones, sometimes you can't. They do sell a kit which requires some trial and error, you'll need 2 kits to cover both axles.

thank you! would the locked/unlocked lights work as intended with the z auto harness?

 

[Jeep Wick]

thank you! would the locked/unlocked lights work as intended with the z auto harness?

In my experience, yes.

 

[RubiconJL392]

Yes.
You can get the zauto harness or you can pot the sensors. Sometimes you can save the old ones, sometimes you can't. They do sell a kit which requires some trial and error, you'll need 2 kits to cover both axles.

As jeep wick said. I had the same issue recently without any dummy lights coming on. Got the Zauto parts and it cleared right up. Probably won't take it to the dealer for a warranty fix. Unless something else big happens. May get the parts and fix myself when I change the fluid.

 

[fczabala]

As jeep wick said. I had the same issue recently without any dummy lights coming on. Got the Zauto parts and it cleared right up. Probably won't take it to the dealer for a warranty fix. Unless something else big happens. May get the parts and fix myself when I change the fluid.

thank you! I ordered the harnesses yesterday

 

[fczabala]

reviving this...

I changed both sensors with potted ones from mopar sensor kits and it seemed like it was fixed but then when in 4L, the IC and offroad pages now show both axles switching between locked and unlocked by themselves, idk if they actually lock/unlock or if it's just the screens (or something else) acting up, still have to put it on jack stands and see if they are locking/unlocking by themselves

I was able to diagnose the issue to the front diff, I put a z locker harness in the rear and nothing changed but when I put it in the front the problem was gone, so I also changed the sensor connector that gets attached to the housing and also changed the harness from the housing to the next connector behind the driver front tire but problem still persists

I'm wondering if this is a short or something because everything works fine with a z locker harness in the front

if anyone has any idea please share!
I'd really like to get to the root of this!

 

[fczabala]

@roaniecowpony @chevymitchell

any help it's greatly appreciated

 

[chevymitchell]

@roaniecowpony @chevymitchell

any help it's greatly appreciated

This looks like a BCM/DTCM going bad. For the sense wiring in the front to have any affect on the rear, there’s a pull-up or isolation part of the circuit that’s leaking or failing. Putting the z harness on there is just masking the problem by opening the sense circuit and keeping it open at the BCM/DTCM.

I’d have it looked at by the dealer.

 

[fczabala]

This looks like a BCM going bad. For the sense wiring in the front to have any affect on the rear, there’s a pull-up or isolation part of the circuit that’s leaking or failing. Putting the z harness on there is just masking the problem by opening the sense circuit and keeping it open at the BCM.

I’d have it looked at by the dealer.

thank you!

 

[roaniecowpony]

My recollection is that the DTCM (DriveTrain Control Module) is behind the plastic panels in the rear corner.

thank you!

I'm not sure I can help. But, after reading some in the OE service manual, I'd guess that you have a communication problem either with the bus or one of the modules involved. Possibly a code is set if you read them.

Here's my section on the drivetrain control module (DTCM).

 

[fczabala]

My recollection is that the DTCM (DriveTrain Control Module) is behind the plastic panels in the rear corner.



I'm not sure I can help. But, after reading some in the OE service manual, I'd guess that you have a communication problem either with the bus or one of the modules involved. Possibly a code is set if you read them.

Here's my section on the drivetrain control module (DTCM).

thank you! no codes set thou
after reading the description of the dtcm, specially the locker management asbm-bcm-dtcm, I'm not sure the communication problem is at the dtcm, as it only controls the actual engagement of the lockers if I read that correctly and the lockers work fine when I actuate them using the asbm

so now going to read thru the bcm description and hopefully see how it communicates between the dtcm and the ipc/uconnect infotainment system and hope the issue is somewhere in there

 

[fczabala]

sooo it looks like it was the sensor again...

it started happening while on 2H and then eventually stayed "locked"
so pulled the cover to try to "diagnose" but no luck, confirmed lockers work as they should
but the screens show they are locked,

so tried again all sensors in the kit, and now sensor #3 fixed the issue, so idk if I f'ed up the
potting of sensor #1 or installed it too early or what but it went "bad" also just like the oem,
IIRC I installed it once the compound was solid but not sure lol might've installed it while it
was tacky still

so potted sensor #3, waited 12 hours for the compound to be solid, installed it and closed
up the diff, did not start or move the jeep until 24 hours had passed, and so far so good,
we'll see how long this one lasts

if sensor #3 goes bad again then it's most likely my potting skills suck so I might take you up
on your offer @chevymitchell if it still stands of course lol

 

[chevymitchell]

sooo it looks like it was the sensor again...

it started happening while on 2H and then eventually stayed "locked"
so pulled the cover to try to "diagnose" but no luck, confirmed lockers work as they should
but the screens show they are locked,

so tried again all sensors in the kit, and now sensor #3 fixed the issue, so idk if I f'ed up the
potting of sensor #1 or installed it too early or what but it went "bad" also just like the oem,
IIRC I installed it once the compound was solid but not sure lol might've installed it while it
was tacky still

so potted sensor #3, waited 12 hours for the compound to be solid, installed it and closed
up the diff, did not start or move the jeep until 24 hours had passed, and so far so good,
we'll see how long this one lasts

if sensor #3 goes bad again then it's most likely my potting skills suck so I might take you up
on your offer @chevymitchell if it still stands of course lol

Absolutely stands.

I think you got it though. I have faith in you.

 

[fczabala]

well, I give up on this, after last wheeling trip it started acting up again to the point where it’s back to showing axles locked even in 2H

so i’m just going to put the zlocker harness and don’t bother anymore, I might try another sensor again at the next diff oil change but doubt it

Sponsored