Rear Locker flashing

[Wapiti Jeep]

On my 2021 Rubicon JT the rear locker light is flashing. Dealership saying needs a new axle. Back ordered and new resolution insight. Released me to drive. Now jeep is telling me to service lockers. Any ideas on what is going on? Oh and dealer told me to call customer care that it would speed up the process. Been going on since mid June.

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[Hootbro]

You are not the first and probably not the last this issue has been going on. Been more than a few threads on the issue.

Jeep does not have a fix for just the solenoid sensor and/or associated wiring getting oil intrustion into it and causing the fault indication issue. For a warranty fix, they have to replace the whole axle/differential assembly.

Couple of threads on third party "fixes" or workarounds but that is at your risk if you still expect warranty consideration.

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...r-system-lockers-wont-engage-disengage.33037/

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/...s-from-failing-how-to-pot-your-sensors.33995/

 

[Renegade]

On my 2021 Rubicon JT the rear locker light is flashing. Dealership saying needs a new axle. Back ordered and new resolution insight. Released me to drive. Now jeep is telling me to service lockers. Any ideas on what is going on? Oh and dealer told me to call customer care that it would speed up the process. Been going on since mid June.

by chance, were you towing when it illuminated, or have you towed a trailer with your Jeep?

 

[Wapiti Jeep]

by chance, were you towing when it illuminated, or have you towed a trailer with your Jeep?

Yes I was towing our travel trailer.

 

[darkhorse13]

My Rubi locker started doing this as well last summer when the temp of the diff got hot. I bought this used with 8300mi and the locker light came on around 12K. I changed the diff fluid at 15K and (knock on wood) haven't had an issue since. In a crude summary, the issue is that the metal shavings in the oil are interacting with the sensor. I found once I changed out the oil it must have removed enough debris to make the sensor happy again.

Worst case scenario I will just buy the Z-Automotive harness.

 

[Wapiti Jeep]

My Rubi locker started doing this as well last summer when the temp of the diff got hot. I bought this used with 8300mi and the locker light came on around 12K. I changed the diff fluid at 15K and (knock on wood) haven't had an issue since. In a crude summary, the issue is that the metal shavings in the oil are interacting with the sensor. I found once I changed out the oil it must have removed enough debris to make the sensor happy again.

Worst case scenario I will just buy the Z-Automotive harness.

Thanks for the response. My problem is that I am wanting to re-gear. If I do and the problem persists and the axle change becomes the only fix. Just not sure what to do. Might start with a lube change and see what happens.

 

[LaterGator]

I had the same problem after diff ran hot due to summertime and heavy loads. Because I have regeared a new diff wasn't an option and I have about 10K on the new gears. I pulled the cover, inspected the gears and changed the fluid and the problem hasn't come back. Yet. I have the Z Locker harness to install when the problem comes back.

 

[Renegade]

Yes I was towing our travel trailer.

The rear locker sensor fails disproportionately in Jeeps used to tow. If it was the load causing it, I believe we would see it more on Jeeps with big tires which don’t tow. Because we don’t, my speculation is that this is being caused by an electrical issue. I learned recently how many different trailer wiring configurations there are out there, and wonder if power might be feeding back into the canbus causing the sensor or another module to short.

 

[Hootbro]

The rear locker sensor fails disproportionately in Jeeps used to tow. If it was the load causing it, I believe we would see it more on Jeeps with big tires which don’t tow. Because we don’t, my speculation is that this is being caused by an electrical issue. I learned recently how many different trailer wiring configurations there are out there, and wonder if power might be feeding back into the canbus causing the sensor or another module to short.

Axle disconnect is controlled by the Drivetrain Control Module. The trailer wiring is controlled by the Body control module. Both are same CAN C BUS but if can bus voltage was spiking from one module, it would affect everything else on the same bus and through a CIL with communication BUS codes or fail to connect to bus.

My speculation is it just an overheat condition of either axle and/or oil intrusion into the sensors.

 

[Wapiti Jeep]

I changed the rear differential oil today. I was shocked at the metallic color to the oil and metallic sludge build up on the plug. Took the sensor apart as well and it did have oil in the sensor. Blew it out, new oil, and lights are still on. I am thinking there is more to it than just oil cruising the failure. Is this being seen in just all style JT’s or just a certain few? Mines a rubicon diesel. 7900 miles.

 

[Wapiti Jeep]

I changed the rear differential oil today. I was shocked at the metallic color to the oil and metallic sludge build up on the plug. Took the sensor apart as well and it did have oil in the sensor. Blew it out, new oil, and lights are still on. I am thinking there is more to it than just oil cruising the failure. Is this being seen in just all style JT’s or just a certain few? Mines a rubicon diesel. 7900 miles.

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

 

[Sorbs]

Anyone have any thoughts on this?

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

 

[Wapiti Jeep]

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

I mean the metal in the gear oil.

 

[Hootbro]

I mean the metal in the gear oil.

Did it look like a gray paste type slurry? First gear oil drains are going to look like that as the gears wear in and is combination of both the gear oil, wear material and the gear marking compound.

So long as you do not have actual chunk bits stuck to the magnet, I would not worry about it and usually will get better on subsequent gear oil changes.

 

[Wapiti Jeep]

Did it look like a gray paste type slurry? First gear oil drains are going to look like that as the gears wear in and is combination of both the gear oil, wear material and the gear marking compound.

So long as you do not have actual chunk bits stuck to the magnet, I would not worry about it and usually will get better on subsequent gear oil changes.

No metal shavings or chunks. Thanks for the reply. So now my big question is, is it safe to go ahead and do the gear change or should I wait on the dealer to switch out the axle?

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