Problems with rear axle locked icon

[azaustin]

Just got my 2021 Gladiator Rubicon Diesel back from its‘ first service at 7500 miles. A few days before it went in, the dash display icon for the rear locker came on and stayed on at about 75mph on I-40. I pulled off at the next exit and tried all the usual tricks, shifting into reverse in 4WDL, cycling through the transfer case, starting and stopping the engine, etc. The light stayed on. I added it to my (small) punch list for the dealer went it went in. When I picked it up the service manager told me that they would have to warranty the entire axle because the indicator switch is an integral part of the axle assembly This made no sense to me. You’re talking about a $20 part requiring a $5,000 part (or whatever a rear locker for a Rubicon costs) to be replaced. He agreed, but said that’s what has to be done. Apparently the axles are hard to get right now, so it will be several weeks before the dealer can get it fixed. Has anyone else had a similar problem? The lockers on my 2017 Rubicon Unlimited worked flawlessly for 40,000+ miles. I’ve been very pleased with the truck so far, and with the engine. It definitely rides and handles better, and despite what others may say, the engine is very quite, especially compared to the 7.3L Powerstroke Lariat I traded on the Wrangler.

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[Glendawg619]

Just got my 2021 Gladiator Rubicon Diesel back from its‘ first service at 7500 miles. A few days before it went in, the dash display icon for the rear locker came on and stayed on at about 75mph on I-40. I pulled off at the next exit and tried all the usual tricks, shifting into reverse in 4WDL, cycling through the transfer case, starting and stopping the engine, etc. The light stayed on. I added it to my (small) punch list for the dealer went it went in. When I picked it up the service manager told me that they would have to warranty the entire axle because the indicator switch is an integral part of the axle assembly This made no sense to me. You’re talking about a $20 part requiring a $5,000 part (or whatever a rear locker for a Rubicon costs) to be replaced. He agreed, but said that’s what has to be done. Apparently the axles are hard to get right now, so it will be several weeks before the dealer can get it fixed. Has anyone else had a similar problem? The lockers on my 2017 Rubicon Unlimited worked flawlessly for 40,000+ miles. I’ve been very pleased with the truck so far, and with the engine. It definitely rides and handles better, and despite what others may say, the engine is very quite, especially compared to the 7.3L Powerstroke Lariat I traded on the Wrangler.

I believe this will fix it https://www.zautomotive.com/product/z_lkr_ctlr/

 

[azaustin]

I believe this will fix it https://www.zautomotive.com/product/z_lkr_ctlr/

Thanks for your post. It looks like this product is for aftermarket lockers only. I should have also mentioned that my axle isn’t actually locked. I verified this by doing some really tight turns to see if it would “chirp” and it didn’t. The service manager also confirmed that the axle wasn’t actually locked, in spite of what the icon showed.

 

[Glendawg619]

Thanks for your post. It looks like this product is for aftermarket lockers only. I should have also mentioned that my axle isn’t actually locked. I verified this by doing some really tight turns to see if it would “chirp” and it didn’t. The service manager also confirmed that the axle wasn’t actually locked, in spite of what the icon showed.

https://www.amw4x4.com/product-p/z-locker-oem.htm


This is the same thing, but in the description it tells you it fixes this common problem.

My brother had this issue and got his axle replaced, but this will work if you dont wanna wait

 

[azaustin]

https://www.amw4x4.com/product-p/z-locker-oem.htm


This is the same thing, but in the description it tells you it fixes this common problem.

My brother had this issue and got his axle replaced, but this will work if you dont wanna wait

Thank you very much! I’m going to give the dealer a few weeks, but if it’s going to be a long-term issue, then I won’t have any choice. We don’t use the Jeep much in the winter, mostly in the summer at our cabin, so it’s not an inconvenience right now, just an annoyance. A true case of a dollar waiting on a dime.

Thanks again. This will be very helpful if my dealer can‘t come through.

 

[Jaxmax]

Search the threads there are many people posting about it, it is a sensor that confirms the axle is locked, metal particles in the oil get into the sensor and it will indicate it is locked when it is not. The sensors are on back order , so Jeep swaps out the whole rear assembly, some dealers order the entire rear with axles and all , some just order the rear, getting it done fixes the problem for most but the same flawed sensor is in your new axle and a few people were getting their second axles put in.
My 2021 Mojave’s went at 90 miles without any towing, would just flicker every so often, then would come on and go out again, once it comes on and stays on the jeep will sense a problem and a service locker light will come on and locker will not work then.
I really didn’t want the dealer ripping the whole axle out for a stupid part, and did the Z part , has been fine, locker works , all the lights light up properly and I might never fix the sensor…….Jack

 

[azaustin]

Search the threads there are many people posting about it, it is a sensor that confirms the axle is locked, metal particles in the oil get into the sensor and it will indicate it is locked when it is not. The sensors are on back order , so Jeep swaps out the whole rear assembly, some dealers order the entire rear with axles and all , some just order the rear, getting it done fixes the problem for most but the same flawed sensor is in your new axle and a few people were getting their second axles put in.
My 2021 Mojave’s went at 90 miles without any towing, would just flicker every so often, then would come on and go out again, once it comes on and stays on the jeep will sense a problem and a service locker light will come on and locker will not work then.
I really didn’t want the dealer ripping the whole axle out for a stupid part, and did the Z part , has been fine, locker works , all the lights light up properly and I might never fix the sensor…….Jack

Good good for thought, Jack. I am not thrilled with the idea of them r&r‘ing the axle either. I’m just cautious about using any aftermarket part that might give them an excuse to void my warranty. I knew there had to be more to the story. Makes you wonder why no one has tried to clean the sensor along with an oil change for the diff. I may put my truck up on my lift and take a look just for fun. If it’s just a simple grounding sensor, the light should go off if you disconnect it. If it throws a code to the computer that has to be cleared it could be more complicated.

 

[zprovo]

Same thing happened to me...also on I-40, coincidence?
I dropped my truck at the dealer on July 27th, and got it back last week.
Axles are indeed hard to come by.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

There's multiple threads about it here - including guys potting that sensor, etc. - it's well documented, including the FIX.

 

[azaustin]

I’m still driving mine (as little as possible). The service manager at my dealer says a new axle is coming in next Monday. We will see. If it is a long term problem I will install the box that “fools” the system. The worst part, in my opinion, is the fact that they have to R&R the entire axle. That’s a big opportunity to violate the auto mechanic’s hippocratic oath. A perfect example of what can go wrong is what happened with my old 7.3 F250 4X4. The front end got knocked slightly out of alignment in a minor fenderb-bender with a texting kid. Worried that something in the hub might have been damaged, I told the dealer to check it our. I didn’t use the 4WDb very often, and about a year later I realized something wasn’t right. I jacked it up and found out that my left front hub (the one inspected by the dealer mechanic) had been incorrectly assembled. Yeah, easy fix, but it explained why I almost got stuck on a hill that was normally no problem. It may take a long time for incorrect service work to appear, possibly well out of warranty.

 

[Bacon]

https://www.amw4x4.com/product-p/z-locker-oem.htm


This is the same thing, but in the description it tells you it fixes this common problem.

My brother had this issue and got his axle replaced, but this will work if you dont wanna wait

I've recently begun to have this locker issue. It's gotten progressively worse to the point that whenever the vehicle comes to a stop, the locker indicator comes on. It doesn't seem to indicate over 10MPH or so.

Given I just regeared to 4.88s, replacing the whole rear axle is going to be a complicated and expensive affair for me. I bought the Z Automotive harness and the problem with the sensor is now completely mitigated.

 

[Jaxmax]

I have about 9,500 mikes since putting my Z sensor eliminator harness in, rear locker still works all the lights and indicators work just like everybody else’s. Glad it worked out for you…..Jack

 

[azaustin]

My dealer replaced my rear axle under warranty, so I guess I have to be ok with that. My truck has just over 8,000 miles on it and seems to be working ok now. Time will tell.

 

[dave316]

Had the locked lights lit up front and rear on the off roads page, and the icon between the speed and tachometer. Put it on a lift, spun everything. Not locked.
got the z plug harness, plugged in the front diff. It cleared all the lock icons, for front and rear! Put the rear plug in anyway because I ordered 2. Never a problem again. Diffs and lockers function as they should.
Warranty issue? Sure. Wait on a dealer and supply chain issues? No way.
at 179.00 per adapter, well worth it to me. My time and sanity are worth way more. This fix took all of 10 seconds with no tools.
this is a 2021 rubicon

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