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Rear Axle Unlock While Driving on Highway

JLYaker

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Anyone have any insight on this issue? When I'm driving down the highway my dash says "rear axle unlock in progress" and axle lock light flashes as well as the light on the dash. It may stay on for a few minutes or sometimes much longer until it eventually says rear axle unlocked and stops flashing. I've tried to stop by the dealer when it is happening but of course it stops right before I get there.
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Uhdinator

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likely a wiring harness or some sensor or actuator bad connection. Diff lock should not be able to even be engaged unless in 4 low range.
 

Cathy H.

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What ended up needing to be done? We just got the same message.
 
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JLYaker

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It was a sensor and apparently it's not made anymore or at least not made the same way. The dealer had to replace the rear axle. I'm glad it was still under warranty.
 

Cathy H.

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Thanks! We hope to hear from the service department tomorrow on what they find out. Also hoping itā€™s covered under the power train warranty since we have 45k miles on our Jeep.
 

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JeepCares

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Thanks! We hope to hear from the service department tomorrow on what they find out. Also hoping itā€™s covered under the power train warranty since we have 45k miles on our Jeep.
Hi Cathy,

Please keep us updated on your dealer's findings! If our team can be of any additional assistance while your Wrangler is in service, we'd be happy to help. We're just a private message away.

Mark
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Cathy H.

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Turns out we need a new rear axle because the lockers are messing up. Good news is the repair is covered under the powertrain warranty. Bad news is itā€™ll take a month or so (November 14th is the date quoted) to get one in. We only have the one vehicle. Luckily, we are getting a loaner car.
 

nlicalsi91

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Turns out we need a new rear axle because the lockers are messing up. Good news is the repair is covered under the powertrain warranty. Bad news is itā€™ll take a month or so (November 14th is the date quoted) to get one in. We only have the one vehicle. Luckily, we are getting a loaner car.
one or 2 members are having the same issues on the gladiator. It makes me want to get one with an open diff for now, even thought he ruby's are badass
 

JeepCares

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Turns out we need a new rear axle because the lockers are messing up. Good news is the repair is covered under the powertrain warranty. Bad news is itā€™ll take a month or so (November 14th is the date quoted) to get one in. We only have the one vehicle. Luckily, we are getting a loaner car.
Thank you for the update, Cathy! It sounds like you are in good hands with your dealer, however, if you'd be interested in being connected with a case specialist for an additional layer of assistance while your Wrangler is in service, we'd be more than happy to help with that.

Mark
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neeesack

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Just had this happen to us while on our way back home after our Labor day weekend roadtrip to Lake Tahoe. Have had the jeep for almost 4 months now, about 4,400 miles. Going to schedule an appointment with the service department and hope to hear good news.
 

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zrickety

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Just had this happen to us while on our way back home after our Labor day weekend roadtrip to Lake Tahoe. Have had the jeep for almost 4 months now, about 4,400 miles. Going to schedule an appointment with the service department and hope to hear good news.
Don't be surprised if they want to swap your axle for that little sensor. If you don't want the dealer molesting your Jeep, just get the Z locker fix.
https://www.zautomotive.com/product/z-locker-oem/
 

neeesack

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Don't be surprised if they want to swap your axle for that little sensor. If you don't want the dealer molesting your Jeep, just get the Z locker fix.
https://www.zautomotive.com/product/z-locker-oem/
Yeah, I looked into that and besides fronting the z locker fix out of pocket, I also read on here that it didn't work for some. I haven't fully decided but I figured since it's still under warranty that, that would be the best option. A friend of mine just had this same issue around 3 weeks ago and had to get his rear axle completely replaced. I'm assuming it would be at the shop no sooner than a month for the axle to be ordered and replaced
 

zrickety

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I hope you have good luck with it, but who's to say the new axle doesn't fail 4400 miles later? That would be my fear.
 

eric.frederich

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Hi. My wife is driving home an hour or so away and sent me this link saying she's experiencing this as well.
We're past the 36 month's on the bumper to bumper, and at 35k miles. So if it is drive train we should still be covered? Is there a difference between drive train and power train?

Is it safe to drive in this condition?

Also, I tried clicking on that "z locker fix" link and it seems broken (much like our Jeep)
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