Locker Position Sensor Potting - DANA 44

[word302]

Many thanks to the contributors on this board. Successfully potted my sensors yesterday and reinstalled the sensors and new ARB diff covers today. Everything works great. At 16,500 miles and 22 months of ownership there was no leakage yet. My only screwup was I forgot to push the locking tab on the front sensor once I clicked the connector back in place. Given how secure the connector seemed, I don’t think I’m going to open the diff up to check. Probably will at the next diff oil change however.

Should be able to pull that connector out enough to lock it without opening up the diff.

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[Windshieldfarmer]

Should be able to pull that connector out enough to lock it without opening up the diff.

Through the opening at the top of the differential? Had not thought of that approach…

 

[word302]

Through the opening at the top of the differential? Had not thought of that approach…

Yes. Mine have enough slack to disconnect them there.

 

[DavidArmen]

Many thanks to the contributors on this board. Successfully potted my sensors yesterday and reinstalled the sensors and new ARB diff covers today. Everything works great. At 16,500 miles and 22 months of ownership there was no leakage yet. My only screwup was I forgot to push the locking tab on the front sensor once I clicked the connector back in place. Given how secure the connector seemed, I don’t think I’m going to open the diff up to check. Probably will at the next diff oil change however.

Very interesting. If both your sensors were completely dry after 16500 miles and 22 months, it suggests that not all of them are susceptible to oil. I was under the impression that every single one of these sensors will slowly take in oil no matter what. I wish we had a lot more data than this one thread with the poll.

 

[HungryHound]

Very interesting. If both your sensors were completely dry after 16500 miles and 22 months, it suggests that not all of them are susceptible to oil. I was under the impression that every single one of these sensors will slowly take in oil no matter what. I wish we had a lot more data than this one thread with the poll.

I've never towed, but had oil in the rear one. However, it's done a lot of climbing in Moab. I'm guessing street-only use will produce the least amount of oil intrusion. In either case, I potted mine because I didn't want to buy an axle after the warranty.

 

[word302]

Very interesting. If both your sensors were completely dry after 16500 miles and 22 months, it suggests that not all of them are susceptible to oil. I was under the impression that every single one of these sensors will slowly take in oil no matter what. I wish we had a lot more data than this one thread with the poll.

Just pot them and never think about it again. I don't understand the aversion to an hour job that'll cost you less than $50 to never have to think about them again. Yes there's dry time but there is no sound argument not to get this done.

 

[Windshieldfarmer]

I've never towed, but had oil in the rear one. However, it's done a lot of climbing in Moab. I'm guessing street-only use will produce the least amount of oil intrusion. In either case, I potted mine because I didn't want to buy an axle after the warranty.

I’ve towed a motorcycle trailer long distance several times and done several rock crawling/overlanding trips. I think I was lucky…nothing more. To those thinking about potting your sensors…it really is easy. The most risky part is drilling the holes in the sensor…which is made safe by using a rivet as a depth stop.

 

[Windshieldfarmer]

Yes. Mine have enough slack to disconnect them there.

I talking about the three pin connector at the lock sensor located inside the front differential…this is not a movable connection when it’s connected. I’m trying to visualize….

 

[word302]

I talking about the three pin connector at the lock sensor located inside the front differential…this is not a movable connection when it’s connected. I’m trying to visualize….

Ahh sorry, I though you were talking about the upper connection that can be fished out of the harness hole.

 

[Covered in Dust]

Well I found this a little late, my rear went bad. I’m still under warranty but would prefer not dealing with the dealership if I can avoid it. I’ve got about 15 months left on the 3 years so I think I’ll just buy the Z harness for now and hope I can buy a replacement sensor sometime before the warranty expires. Otherwise I’ll probably let them replace the axle just before my warranty expires. I will pot the front soon.

 

[Ospreyfe55]

Well I found this a little late, my rear went bad. I’m still under warranty but would prefer not dealing with the dealership if I can avoid it. I’ve got about 15 months left on the 3 years so I think I’ll just buy the Z harness for now and hope I can buy a replacement sensor sometime before the warranty expires. Otherwise I’ll probably let them replace the axle just before my warranty expires. I will pot the front soon.

The Z-Harness is just a band-aid and only removes the warning from your dash, it will not prevent your locker from engaging / disengaging on its own. Meaning you could go down the highway 60-70mph and the locker could engage on your own. If I were you I would just save the money, have the dealer order a new axle and then pot both sensors after the replacement.

 

[No Spark V6]

I just heard from a friend(JT owner with a failed sensor) who was told by his dealership that there is now a part number for the sensor being released and it will be available separately.

Anyone else heard this yet?

 

[word302]

I just heard from a friend(JT owner with a failed sensor) who was told by his dealership that there is now a part number for the sensor being released and it will be available separately.

Anyone else heard this yet?

I'm betting they're referring to a new wiring harness, but I'd love to be wrong.

 

[Ospreyfe55]

Well according to this that sensor is available! $300 buck though!

@chevymitchell

https://www.moparpartsdepot.com/oem-parts/mopar-axle-sensor-kit-68544629aa?c=Zz1kaWZmZXJlbnRpYWwtYW5kLWRyaXZlLWxpbmUmcz1yZWFyLWF4bGUtaG91c2luZy1kaWZmZXJlbnRpYWwtYW5kLXZlbnQmbD0xMTMmbj1Bc3NlbWJsaWVzIFBhZ2UmYT1qZWVwJm89Z2xhZGlhdG9yJnk9MjAyMSZ0PXJ1Ymljb24mZT0zLTZsLXY2LWdhcw==

 

[joegrasse]

Well according to this that sensor is available! $300 buck though!

@chevymitchell

https://www.moparpartsdepot.com/oem-parts/mopar-axle-sensor-kit-68544629aa?c=Zz1kaWZmZXJlbnRpYWwtYW5kLWRyaXZlLWxpbmUmcz1yZWFyLWF4bGUtaG91c2luZy1kaWZmZXJlbnRpYWwtYW5kLXZlbnQmbD0xMTMmbj1Bc3NlbWJsaWVzIFBhZ2UmYT1qZWVwJm89Z2xhZGlhdG9yJnk9MjAyMSZ0PXJ1Ymljb24mZT0zLTZsLXY2LWdhcw==

If this is indeed the correct part, here is another place to purchase it. I have used them before.

https://www.bamwholesaleparts.com/oem-parts/mopar-axle-sensor-kit-68544629aa

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