Weird “SERV 4WD” message “fix”…

[kkarnage]

I am a first time Jeep owner, but I have had several big early model 4wheel drive, but never anything with all of these electronics.

I have never felt any type binding are anything until this Past weekend when we were stuck, and that was only for minutes, after we got pulled out of the sand and got back on payment.

I am assuming it needs to go to the dealership now, it currently has 30,000 miles on it at 6 months old.

Depends. If it’s still in limp mode after being off and locked for a while, then yeah, you probably want to get it to a dealer.

If the SERV 4WD is on all the time, then yeah, absolutely take it to the dealer.

If the SERV 4WD is on intermittently, YMMV. If you can get it to the dealer while the light is on, and don’t shut off the engine until they’ve plugged in their diagnostic equipment, they might be able to find the error and identify a fix. Basically, if they can’t reproduce the error, they aren’t going to even try to do anything about it.

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[BareBottom]

Depends. If it’s still in limp mode after being off and locked for a while, then yeah, you probably want to get it to a dealer.

If the SERV 4WD is on all the time, then yeah, absolutely take it to the dealer.

If the SERV 4WD is on intermittently, YMMV. If you can get it to the dealer while the light is on, and don’t shut off the engine until they’ve plugged in their diagnostic equipment, they might be able to find the error and identify a fix. Basically, if they can’t reproduce the error, they aren’t going to even try to do anything about it.

When I was there a few weeks back I showed it to them but they said I had to make a different appointment for that. They did see it but they would not do any diagnostics on that day, I just made an appointment to bring it in and leave if for a couple of days next week. Crazy world.

Thanks vary much, greatly appreciated.

 

[dalema]

Depends. If it’s still in limp mode after being off and locked for a while, then yeah, you probably want to get it to a dealer.

If the SERV 4WD is on all the time, then yeah, absolutely take it to the dealer.

If the SERV 4WD is on intermittently, YMMV. If you can get it to the dealer while the light is on, and don’t shut off the engine until they’ve plugged in their diagnostic equipment, they might be able to find the error and identify a fix. Basically, if they can’t reproduce the error, they aren’t going to even try to do anything about it.

now I always try to get a video of these things on my phone. At least then they can’t deny it’s even happening.

 

[kkarnage]

now I always try to get a video of these things on my phone. At least then they can’t deny it’s even happening.

Well, sure, but they can’t fix what they can’t measure, so even having video of it isn’t going to help much if they can’t plug in their diagnostics while it’s happening. Even then if they turn it off and on again and the problem doesn’t reoccur, then they’ll just write it off as a transient thing.

 

[Rodeoflyer]

You likely lost a locker sensor https://www.zautomotive.com/product/z_lkr_oem/

It shouldn't be aftermarket though.. they NEED to fix it.

 

[kkarnage]

You likely lost a locker sensor https://www.zautomotive.com/product/z_lkr_oem/

It shouldn't be aftermarket though.. they NEED to fix it.

Nope. Not a locker sensor. When those
Locker sensors go it’s a different error. This is all about the transfer case. The SERV 4WD error is very specifically about the transfer case.

 

[Rodeoflyer]

That's right, I've had the service 4wd many times.. typically clears on it's own after a few drive cycles

do you have a code device like a tazer or this one that can clear codes? https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-...-reader/p/innova-obd2-code-reader/1090295_0_0

Also climb under the jeep and dis-connect/re-connect your sensors.. that's a big issue as well.

 

[dalema]

Well, sure, but they can’t fix what they can’t measure, so even having video of it isn’t going to help much if they can’t plug in their diagnostics while it’s happening. Even then if they turn it off and on again and the problem doesn’t reoccur, then they’ll just write it off as a transient thing.

Right, but when it eventually does fail (eg if you’re close to end of warranty) at least you have evidence that it was an issue and they didn’t fix it. I’ve found it does help them “believe you” vs dismiss you. Just trying to be helpful from my experience.

agree most of them are a joke

 

[kkarnage]

That's right, I've had the service 4wd many times.. typically clears on it's own after a few drive cycles

do you have a code device like a tazer or this one that can clear codes? https://www.autozone.com/test-scan-...-reader/p/innova-obd2-code-reader/1090295_0_0

Yup, have a Tazer. Clearing codes with it when SERV 4WD is on does nothing

 

[Rodeoflyer]

These will continue to be an issue for us in the 'move to electric' age.. they think they can force us off of ICE vehicles. I mean it's been an issue since I started modifying cars and off road vehicles back in the 80s.. it's going to get worse. They want us all on electric and that's it.

 

[firedude]

Yup, have a Tazer. Clearing codes with it when SERV 4WD is on does nothing

Have you tried force 2wd when you get the binding?

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