2009 PW - new to me

[wprecanico]

At the risk of repeating myself, there is a lot of good information out here. I've been reading for what seems to be hours now. Really cool stuff.

I've had my PW for a couple of weeks now. Going through it and taking are of some of the things the previous owner didn't. Tires, brakes, etc. I've been reading a ton of posts on the forum and have a couple of questions; I know what a nanny bypass is now, but I can't find a post on what the locker and smartbar bypasses do. I've read that the 2005-2009 have less nanny-ness but to what extent?

Final question. For this post!

I have a problem where the 4WD light is on while in 2WD. I put the truck in 4WD and I can't engage the smartbar. What I did find is that if in 2WD, I engage the smartbar, it does. That leads me to believe it's an electrical system, not a mechanical system that engages the bar. If the light turns on solid, does that mean the locker(s) or the bar are actually engaged? Is there a way to tell if either or are actually engaged and working?

Thanks,

- Wayne

[wprecanico]

Sorry for the dual posts: I got an error and didn't realize it actually posted. Can this one be deleted?

[Mule007]

Unless you are a board administrator or moderator, you can only edit or delete your own posts. You can edit a post by clicking the edit button for the relevant post, sometimes for only a short period of time,,,,,At the upper left of the board index page you will see a FAQ icon with a blue question mark that can explain it a bit more if needed,,,,,

[Mule007]

Wayne: Regarding your final question: In the board index under Marketplace is a Vendors Forum. Go there and go to Abel products,,,,there is a wealth of information on your question and David who is Abel Products has contact information to contact him directly via e-mail regarding questions. It is on the first page of the Abel products page and he usually responds fairly quickly,,,,,

[Retired BLM Rig]

At the risk of repeating myself, there is a lot of good information out here. I've been reading for what seems to be hours now. Really cool stuff.

I've had my PW for a couple of weeks now. Going through it and taking are of some of the things the previous owner didn't. Tires, brakes, etc. I've been reading a ton of posts on the forum and have a couple of questions; I know what a nanny bypass is now, but I can't find a post on what the locker and smartbar bypasses do. I've read that the 2005-2009 have less nanny-ness but to what extent?

Final question. For this post!

I have a problem where the 4WD light is on while in 2WD. I put the truck in 4WD and I can't engage the smartbar. What I did find is that if in 2WD, I engage the smartbar, it does. That leads me to believe it's an electrical system, not a mechanical system that engages the bar. If the light turns on solid, does that mean the locker(s) or the bar are actually engaged? Is there a way to tell if either or are actually engaged and working?

Thanks,

- Wayne

Hi Wayne,

Welcome to the forum!

The factory locker system only allows the lockers to work if the transfer case is shifted into 4Low (the "4x4 Low" indicator has to be illuminated on the instrument cluster) You also have to be traveling less than 3 MPH for it to engage, once engaged there is no speed limit. If the locker indicator lights are flashing, it means that the module is trying to fulfill your request but is unable due to the parameters not being met or there's a problem with the system or the dog gears aren't aligned in the locker. If the light is on solid, it means your request has been completed. You can jack up the axle and try to spin the tires to confirm if they're locked. If the engine isn't running, the system will timeout after 2 minutes and the axles will unlock.

The Locker Bypass liberates the lockers from the factory constraints and allows the driver to engage the lockers anytime he wants (2H, 4H, 4L), while still using the factory dash switch to control them. viewtopic.php?f=47&t=5876

The factory sway bar disconnect is only allowed to work in 4H or 4L. Since your 4x4 indicator is illuminated in 2WD, it's allowing your sway bar to disconnect, because it thinks you're in 4WD. The factory system automatically reconnects the sway bar above 18 MPH.

The "Full SmartBar Bypass" is the same as the "Locker Bypass" in that it liberates the lockers, but it also liberates the sway bar to work anytime you want, with no speed limitation, while still using the factory switches to control everything. Disconnecting the sway bar on 2WD dirt roads helps soften the ride. viewtopic.php?f=47&t=8075

The reason your 4x4 indicator light is screwing up, is because you have a faulty "Transfer Case Position Sensor". Here's a tread I posted when I replaced mine: viewtopic.php?f=39&t=6444&p=106641
I would recommend using the factory sensor (#5083138AA). It's located above the front driveshaft on the T-case and requires a 1-1/2" tool to remove it.

Good luck!

David

[wprecanico]

Thanks Dave! Very helpful, and illuminating.

I think once I get through some of these problems that keep popping up - latest one is P0642 - I might just ring you up for the bypass kit. I see the reviews and they all are positive.

- Wayne