Rear Axle Replace on Rubicon for Flashing Locker Light

[Revtech100]

Put the locker on a switch or run the Z harness until the sensor is available. You're not at a loss here. You have several solutions that will work outside replacing the whole axle assembly. If you've put money into the truss, then roll with it. It's really not a big deal. You have some work-arounds available to you.

What’s a Z harness?

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[chevymitchell]

What’s a Z harness?

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

 

[Revtech100]

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

Thanks! I haven’t had this problem but have had my lockers lock up after I stopped a couple of times. I appreciate the info!

dale

 

[Deleted User 293754]

2019 light came on after a trip to Colorado yesterday. (actually on my way home) I'm under warranty but would like to know about how warranty approval is treated. I have put aftermarket covers and a skid plate on the diffs.

Should I put all of the stock stuff back on before going to the dealer? Worried that they will say the covers and skid plates somehow voids my warranty so deal with it yourself.

Suggestions?

These are bolt on parts, Yukon diff covers and Rough Country Skid plates.

 

[LongTimeListener]

2019 light came on after a trip to Colorado yesterday. (actually on my way home) I'm under warranty but would like to know about how warranty approval is treated. I have put aftermarket covers and a skid plate on the diffs.

Should I put all of the stock stuff back on before going to the dealer? Worried that they will say the covers and skid plates somehow voids my warranty so deal with it yourself.

Suggestions?

While diff fluid is smelly and RTV is a pain, it’s probably worth putting the stock units back on to avoid problems with your dealer. I can totally see them saying something stupid, like that your aftermarket covers somehow caused the problem.

 

[Deleted User 293754]

Better safe than sorry. Guess I just needed someone else to tell be to get the wrench back in my hand! Sheeze .

 

[Monkeynono]

So is the warranty repair still to replace the whole axle? Mine just started flashing after I used it today. I have 16k miles on the odo.

 

[mgroeger]

So is the warranty repair still to replace the whole axle? Mine just started flashing after I used it today. I have 16k miles on the odo.

As far as I know FCA is still shelling out new axles for a $20 sensor.

 

[Monkeynono]

As far as I know FCA is still shelling out new axles for a $20 sensor.

Stupid.... Going to order thr Z harness... I have an appointment but no way I can leave it till a new diff shows up.

 

[eric.frederich]

Please help. Our light has come on for the rear locker 3 times now in the past 2 months. Because they're unable to reproduce the problem at the dealership they can't point to a faulty part. Without a faulty part they can't order anything under warranty.

Those of you that have had parts replaced (sensors, actuators, axles, etc)... was it done under warranty? How bad was your problem... constant or intermittent?

I've shown them video of it driving on the highway in 2High and dashboard showing that the rear is locked. I've also opened a case with Jeep Customer Care.
After speaking w/ Customer Care and the dealership, it's clear that even if I were to bring it in during the intermittent problem for a technician to witness it... when the problem goes away after 30 minutes or an hour they wouldn't be able to pinpoint the faulty part.
Jeep Customer Care says they can't just start replacing parts until it works... That blows my mind. That's literally how service works for every industry. When my dryer stopped working I replaced the fuse. When the fuse blew again I started replacing parts until it worked again. I started with the thermostat, fortunately that fixed it... but had it not, I would have moved on to the heating element.
There are only so many things in the chain that can make that light appear on my dash. I'm not asking them to replace my air conditioner, or my power windows. Why can't they start replacing stuff until it works?

How did you call get Jeep to lift a finger for you?
Should I go to another dealership?

I'm currently with Stateline Jeep in Fort Mill, SC.

Thanks,
~Eric

 

[Brad41]

Please help. Our light has come on for the rear locker 3 times now in the past 2 months. Because they're unable to reproduce the problem at the dealership they can't point to a faulty part. Without a faulty part they can't order anything under warranty.

Those of you that have had parts replaced (sensors, actuators, axles, etc)... was it done under warranty? How bad was your problem... constant or intermittent?

I've shown them video of it driving on the highway in 2High and dashboard showing that the rear is locked. I've also opened a case with Jeep Customer Care.
After speaking w/ Customer Care and the dealership, it's clear that even if I were to bring it in during the intermittent problem for a technician to witness it... when the problem goes away after 30 minutes or an hour they wouldn't be able to pinpoint the faulty part.
Jeep Customer Care says they can't just start replacing parts until it works... That blows my mind. That's literally how service works for every industry. When my dryer stopped working I replaced the fuse. When the fuse blew again I started replacing parts until it worked again. I started with the thermostat, fortunately that fixed it... but had it not, I would have moved on to the heating element.
There are only so many things in the chain that can make that light appear on my dash. I'm not asking them to replace my air conditioner, or my power windows. Why can't they start replacing stuff until it works?

How did you call get Jeep to lift a finger for you?
Should I go to another dealership?

I'm currently with Stateline Jeep in Fort Mill, SC.

Thanks,
~Eric

It really helps if the locker light is flashing when you take it there. My tech stated there was no code in my Jeep’s obd last time. Don’t worry, the more you drive it, the more frequently the light will come on until it comes on every time you drive it.

 

[Brad41]

Well, I took the jeep in for the sensor fault today. Although it is out of the three-year, they said it would be covered under the powertrain warranty. rear axle was ordered with a national backorder, no eta. Including the original, this will be its third rear axle. 36,xxxx mi. I won’t be needing the lockers anytime soon, so it’s fine. I’m just relieved that it was covered outside of the three-year warranty.

 

[lpinsb]

Same here re: rear locker light. My Rubicon has been in dealership almost TWO MONTHS now, with a specialized Jeep tech taking a look ~2 weeks ago, and then saying it needs to be escalated to a higher level Jeep tech specialist from some academy. While waiting for that tech to arrive, HQ decided a couple days ago that the rear differential will be replaced. Why it took this long to come to this bandaid fix* conclusion is beyond me, as this is clearly an issue with a long history.

*Thankfully, my Rubicon is still under warranty (16K miles), but my concern now is that I'll run into the same problem with the replacement AFTER my warranty expires. This problem has gone on much too long for the bandaid approach, but it's apparent that Jeep has not figured out how to prevent this from happening. Although I'm grateful for the "luxury" loaner sedan, my Rubicon is more than about getting from Point A to Point B. It's a lifestyle that I'm losing out on - especially during this much-needed summer-of-freedom (after being cooped up with lockdowns, etc.).

BUT, I still love my Rubi!

 

[Brad41]

Same here re: rear locker light. My Rubicon has been in dealership almost TWO MONTHS now, with a specialized Jeep tech taking a look ~2 weeks ago, and then saying it needs to be escalated to a higher level Jeep tech specialist from some academy. While waiting for that tech to arrive, HQ decided a couple days ago that the rear differential will be replaced. Why it took this long to come to this bandaid fix* conclusion is beyond me, as this is clearly an issue with a long history.

*Thankfully, my Rubicon is still under warranty (16K miles), but my concern now is that I'll run into the same problem with the replacement AFTER my warranty expires. This problem has gone on much too long for the bandaid approach, but it's apparent that Jeep has not figured out how to prevent this from happening. Although I'm grateful for the "luxury" loaner sedan, my Rubicon is more than about getting from Point A to Point B. It's a lifestyle that I'm losing out on - especially during this much-needed summer-of-freedom (after being cooped up with lockdowns, etc.).

BUT, I still love my Rubi!

why the sensor is not a replaceable part, I don’t know. If It’s going to be a while (and it probably will) you could just tell them you’ll drive the jeep until the rear axle comes in. That’s what I’m doing. There is another thread on here about potting the sensor (effectively fixing it) that I will definitely be looking into with this next axle.

 

[Brad41]

Well, I took the jeep in for the sensor fault today. Although it is out of the three-year, they said it would be covered under the powertrain warranty. rear axle was ordered with a national backorder, no eta. Including the original, this will be its third rear axle. 36,xxxx mi. I won’t be needing the lockers anytime soon, so it’s fine. I’m just relieved that it was covered outside of the three-year warranty.

got the Jeep back last week. Axle #3, engage. At least my rear diff fluid is new.

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