Service axle locker on and off

[OldGuyNewJeep]

Over the past few months the “service axle locker” idiot light has been coming on when I am at crawling speed. For example, if I stop at a stop sign and then start creeping out. I think it may also coincide with turning the wheel right, but it’s happened when just stopping at a red light.

When it comes on it is brief - just a second or two and then it’s gone.

I potted my sensors a long time ago (two years ago or thereabouts) and the lockers engage/disengage easily. I tested today and I could lock both, just rear, and unlock and there’s no issue. I did it like 10x to be sure. Interestingly, as soon as I shifted to 2H the idiot light came on for a brief second.

Any ideas? Harnesses look fine. In the potting thread someone mentioned wheel speed sensors, but what would I even look at there? YouTube leads me to believe that removing them Is a chore. Should I just replace them and cross my fingers?

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[JasonInDLH]

This TSB may prove helpful…

 

[OldGuyNewJeep]

This TSB may prove helpful…

Thanks. I potted my sensors to work around this TSB, and don’t think they’re to blame. (When those fail the light stays on and the lockers won’t work.)

Here’s a new data point: I rotated my tires and did a 900 mile round trip to the Adirondacks. Lots of highway, hills, and some dirt roads. The problem did not recur.

I am wondering if some connection (wheel speed sensors or wiring harnesses) got blown clean with wind.

This is a weird one. Let’s see if it comes back with normal grocery getting.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

Over the past few months the “service axle locker” idiot light has been coming on when I am at crawling speed. For example, if I stop at a stop sign and then start creeping out. I think it may also coincide with turning the wheel right, but it’s happened when just stopping at a red light.

When it comes on it is brief - just a second or two and then it’s gone.

I potted my sensors a long time ago (two years ago or thereabouts) and the lockers engage/disengage easily. I tested today and I could lock both, just rear, and unlock and there’s no issue. I did it like 10x to be sure. Interestingly, as soon as I shifted to 2H the idiot light came on for a brief second.

Any ideas? Harnesses look fine. In the potting thread someone mentioned wheel speed sensors, but what would I even look at there? YouTube leads me to believe that removing them Is a chore. Should I just replace them and cross my fingers?

Pull connectors from diff, clean, coat with dielectric grease reseat firmly. Do the same to any other connectors under there like at the FAD and tcase.

 

[Cuyose]

This TSB may prove helpful…

Funny thing here. I had the issue just last month and informed them of this at 29K miles and rather than get the kit, they gave me a brand-new axle assembly.

 

[Rodeoflyer]

Pull connectors from diff, clean, coat with dielectric grease reseat firmly. Do the same to any other connectors under there like at the FAD and tcase.

I've been looking at that light for a few months now and just figured the sensors failed HOWEVER my lockers still work. I use them weekly.

I bet it's just a connection issue..

 

[Dyolfknip74]

I've been looking at that light for a few months now and just figured the sensors failed HOWEVER my lockers still work. I use them weekly.

I bet it's just a connection issue..

At this point I can't see it being anything else except DTCM. Might as well look at the connectors. Not to mention, dealer literally can't and won't do dick unless you roll in with the fault showing.

Edit, sorry, I replied thinking you were the OP. So your light is on full time and lockers work? Mine did that when unscrewed up potting a sensor FYI.

 

[Rodeoflyer]

At this point I can't see it being anything else except DTCM. Might as well look at the connectors. Not to mention, dealer literally can't and won't do dick unless you roll in with the fault showing.

Edit, sorry, I replied thinking you were the OP. So your light is on full time and lockers work? Mine did that when unscrewed up potting a sensor FYI.

Yes, my light is on all the time and lockers work so I've ignored it. It started about 2 months after my gears upgrade.. it's more than likely something needs reseating like you said but thank you! Sometimes you just need a second opinion and I'll get under there this week.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

Yes, my light is on all the time and lockers work so I've ignored it. It started about 2 months after my gears upgrade.. it's more than likely something needs reseating like you said but thank you! Sometimes you just need a second opinion and I'll get under there this week.

Depending on what your skill level is, swap the sensors front and rear and see if the fault follows. That will tell you it's a sensor obviously. I mean after you clean connections. The fact it happened after a year swap says a lot though as well. I do know the sensors are calibrated differently. That's why they send you 5, you put one in and if it gives a fault, go to the next one.
I have 2 of them here. Brand new they instantly bring up a locker fault and they're numbered 1 and 2. #5 is in my rear and works perfect.

 

[Rodeoflyer]

It's the rear I know because I disco'd the connectors. Not a big deal, the lockers still work and I'd planned on the hard wire kit via my aux switches anyway.

We'll see. but I really appreciate the insight!

I won't blame the gear installers they do a bunch of these and sometimes you don't spend the time to do things right lol.

These sensors having a narrow band sounds a bout right though...just touching them could cause a fault.

Hard wiring them makes it all moot anyway...

 

[Dyolfknip74]

It's the rear I know because I disco'd the connectors. Not a big deal, the lockers still work and I'd planned on the hard wire kit via my aux switches anyway.

We'll see. but I really appreciate the insight!

I won't blame the gear installers they do a bunch of these and sometimes you don't spend the time to do things right lol.

These sensors having a narrow band sounds a bout right though...

Ya, if I ever have issues with mine, I'll just order the Mopar harnesses and hook up to some switches. I hate not knowing the "path of flow" for turning shit on.
Good luck regardless man.

 

[Rodeoflyer]

Ya, if I ever have issues with mine, I'll just order the Mopar harnesses and hook up to some switches. I hate not knowing the "path of flow" for turning shit on.
Good luck regardless man.

you're been a great help no doubt and know what you're talking about.. THANKS!

I got the TAZER week one for the path of flow bs lol It's amazing but yeah hard wire is the solution for all this

 

[Dyolfknip74]

you're been a great help no doubt and know what you're talking about.. THANKS!

I got the TAZER week one for the path of flow bs lol It's amazing but yeah hard wire is the solution for all this

Nah, I just know a little bit about a lot of things.
I mean. If you want to spend another $350 on 5 sensors, that will probably fix it but you could spend like $200 (I think) on the harnesses and have some nice piece of mind. That light blinking sent me over the edge though. Plus made my spouse ask questions, which is never good

 

[Rodeoflyer]

I guess I could just disable lockers in the tazer and carry on.. silly actually with these 'sensors'

the light doesn't bother me as long as the elockers work.

 

[Dyolfknip74]

I guess I could just disable lockers in the tazer and carry on.. silly actually with these 'sensors'

the light doesn't bother me as long as the elockers work.

Actually. I'm not sure you would be able to still use your lockers after disablingz I may check out the strings in JScan though (not a Tazer user) . So much is dependant on the DTCM now, doubtful.

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