Transfer case problem???

[K7WWA]

Some Jeep friends and I were out on the trails of the south eastern desert in Utah yesterday. 2023 Mojave with just over 6k on the odometer. I was in 4H according to the transfer case lever and the dash light. Is the dash controlled by the computer or an actual switch?
The leader of the pack (grin) made a left turn across a ditch that had a bunch of loose dry sand in the bottom of it. When I started to follow him I had some problems getting out of the ditch. I had a jeep stopped on each side of me waiting their turn. After I finally drove out of the ditch and we reached our next stopping point, both of the other drivers told me that they didn’t see my front axle doing anything. No dirt or sand was being kicked up. Now I know that the Mojave front axel is an open axle and not a limited slip axle but both of the front wheels were on the ground and should have kicked up some dirt. Any comments or suggestions?

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[Hootbro]

Quick and dirty check is to go to a open area like a empty parking lot and put it in 4H and slowly try to drive like under 5 MPH and make a sharp turn. If the front axles are engaged, it should grab and have some binding. Soon as you feel it grab, stop and take it out of 4H.

The Drivetrain Control Module is the gate keeper for everything. The transfer case selector has a switch that sends input to the DTC for selection input. That drives the Transfer Case selection shift motor in tandem with the transfer case position sensor send back signal to the DTC that then sends the info on the CAN bus for the indicator lights. In addition, the Front Axle Disconnect should be engaging the front axle and reporting back to the DTC.

The system is pretty good in that if something is out of wack and not reporting correctly, a 4WD or some type of service 4WD error message should show on the center instrument cluster. I would be surprised if your front axles did not work but showed engaged and no error messages.

 

[K7WWA]

Quick and dirty check is to go to a open area like a empty parking lot and put it in 4H and slowly try to drive like under 5 MPH and make a sharp turn. If the front axles are engaged, it should grab and have some binding. Soon as you feel it grab, stop and take it out of 4H.

The Drivetrain Control Module is the gate keeper for everything. The transfer case selector has a switch that sends input to the DTC for selection input. That drives the Transfer Case selection shift motor in tandem with the transfer case position sensor send back signal to the DTC that then sends the info on the CAN bus for the indicator lights. In addition, the Front Axle Disconnect should be engaging the front axle and reporting back to the DTC.

The system is pretty good in that if something is out of wack and not reporting correctly, a 4WD or some type of service 4WD error message should show on the center instrument cluster. I would be surprised if your front axles did not work but showed engaged and no error messages.

 

[K7WWA]

Thanks for the advice. I went to a large empty parking lot this morning. In 4H or 4L around 2-3 mph I turned the steering wheel full lock in both direction's, absolutely no fighting from the front axel. Dash indicator 4H & 4L lit up depending on the transfer case position. Gee, did the factory forget to install the front drive shaft ?. I have an appointment Friday morning at the dealer.

 

[Hootbro]

Interesting. I am going to guess something mechanical with the FAD is not engaging.

Are you able to bring up the Off Road Pages on the radio? If so, what is the driveline status showing on it?

Let us know what the final outcome is with the dealer and fix.

 

[K7WWA]

Interesting. I am going to guess something mechanical with the FAD is not engaging.

Are you able to bring up the Off Road Pages on the radio? If so, what is the driveline status showing on it?

Let us know what the final outcome is with the dealer and fix.

 

[K7WWA]

On Friday morning I went to my appointment at the dealership. Two comments first, I didn’t purchase from them and they either didn’t notice the Tazer or they didn’t care.
Within 2 hours the mechanic or technician diagnosed the problem as a defective actuator in the front axle.
Now I wait to see if the repair part is available. I have no way to know if it was defective when I purchased it.

 

[JTPatriot]

Either way at least it is covered under your warranty.

 

[Hootbro]

Within 2 hours the mechanic or technician diagnosed the problem as a defective actuator in the front axle.

Figured as much. Only thing that made sense to me with no warning lights but thought it was engaged.

 

[K7WWA]

The part arrived early this week at the dealership and due to my schedule conflicts my appointment is the 4th of December. I feel that is very good service.

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