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Locker Issues....
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2018 8:07 pm
by MOPARManiac
Did a search and couldn't find a similar issue. My lockers won't engage and now my sway bar disconnect seems to be acting up as well. When I go to lock the rear it just flashes and occasionally the green unlock light will sometimes flash once. The front locker light will sometimes flash as well. I have checked the electrical connections for smart bar and on the diffs. Changed the rear fluid and cleaned the magnets. Still wouldn't engage so I disconnected the battery and then after some time the rear locker locked. Then after some more time the front locker locked. Unlocked them both and now they won't lock again. Swaybar took forever to connect as well.
Anyone had this issue? Smartbar?
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2018 9:06 pm
by Retired BLM Rig
Do the 4WD and 4LOW indicator lights function properly on the instrument cluster and accurately correspond to the transfer case shifter position?
I've had a faulty transfer case position sensor inhibit my locker and swaybar function in the past.
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Mon Sep 03, 2018 9:37 pm
by MOPARManiac
Retired BLM Rig wrote: ↑Mon Sep 03, 2018 9:06 pm
Do the 4WD and 4LOW indicator lights function properly on the instrument cluster and accurately correspond to the transfer case shifter position?
I've had a faulty transfer case position sensor inhibit my locker and swaybar function in the past.
Yeah, that was changed last year so I've been down that road. The lights function properly and I'm not getting the service 4 wheel drive light like some do when their lockers won't function.
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2018 1:33 am
by Retired BLM Rig
Snap-On scanners have the ability to read final drive control module/SmartBar codes and live data. Find a shop near you that offers free code reading and has a Snap-On or other professional grade scanner (Autel, OTC, Matco, Mac, etc.) and see if that can give you any more info to work with. If you can get a code, I can post a diagnostic procedure from the factory service manual. You can also check out the diagnostic info that I posted on
this thread and see if it's of any use to you. Also rumor has it that PitSlave rebuilds SmartBars if that's what it comes down to.
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2018 8:38 am
by MOPARManiac
Retired BLM Rig wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 1:33 am
Snap-On scanners have the ability to read final drive control module/SmartBar codes and live data. Find a shop near you that offers free code reading and has a Snap-On or other professional grade scanner (Autel, OTC, Matco, Mac, etc.) and see if that can give you any more info to work with. If you can get a code, I can post a diagnostic procedure from the factory service manual. You can also check out the diagnostic info that I posted on
this thread and see if it's of any use to you. Also rumor has it that PitSlave rebuilds SmartBars if that's what it comes down to.
Good information. I have the lifetime warranty so off to the dealer it will go. It's just bad timing because I need the Power Wagon for elk hunting.
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2018 9:23 am
by Retired BLM Rig
MOPARManiac wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 8:38 am
I have the lifetime warranty so off to the dealer it will go.
Even better!
Keep us posted on what they find and fix.
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2018 9:55 am
by Bill2014
MOPARManiac wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 8:38 am
... I have the lifetime warranty so off to the dealer it will go. ...
Off to the dealer? You're screwed.
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Tue Sep 04, 2018 11:45 pm
by olyelr
Bill2014 wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 9:55 am
MOPARManiac wrote: ↑Tue Sep 04, 2018 8:38 am
... I have the lifetime warranty so off to the dealer it will go. ...
Off to the dealer? You're screwed.
This ^^^^^^^^
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2018 7:10 pm
by FordyceCreekTrail
Dealer: "Who makes the Power Wagon?" "Nothing comes with a front locker"
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Wed Sep 05, 2018 7:33 pm
by rammit11
FordyceCreekTrail wrote: ↑Wed Sep 05, 2018 7:10 pm
e: Locker Issues....Quote FordyceCreekTrail
by FordyceCreekTrail » Wed Sep 05, 2018 6:10 pm
D That sounds about right for the status quo
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Thu Sep 06, 2018 9:40 pm
by MOPARManiac
Went out tonight and tried the lockers and they locked in instantly. Tried a few more times and sometimes they'll engage and sometimes they won't. Thinking it is a wiring/connector issue of some sort maybe the smart bar.
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Sun Sep 09, 2018 8:33 pm
by MOPARManiac
Dealer couldn't find anything wrong with the lockers and they seem to be working fine now. I think that it was the transfer case position switch screwing up even though it said it was in 4-lo. Putting it in and out of 4 wheel drive several times must have fixed the "glitch". Good news is the dealer didn't charge me anything to look at it.
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2018 10:39 am
by MOPARManiac
These damn lockers are going to drive me insane..
They'll work fine and the next time they won't work at all. Then the rear will lock, but the front won't. I have no idea, other than it is an electrical gremlin of some sort. I'd take it back to the dealer, but it will be a repeat of last time and they won't find any issues as well. They need to completely stop working in order to get them properly fixed.
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2018 2:20 pm
by DamageWagon
Are you using them in dirt or asphalt? I’ve had it happen a few times the lockers don’t want to engage unless I get a moment of wheel spin in the dirt.
Also worth asking if you’ve taken any big hits on your front end or if you see odd tire wear? A bent axle is very possible and can be a factor.
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Sat Sep 15, 2018 2:34 pm
by Low_Sky
If you wanna troubleshoot lockers, it may help to put the truck up on jack stands. Turn the locker switch, if it doesn’t lock right away go spin a tire on that axle by hand and it should lock right up (just needs a few degrees rotation). If it won’t lock up like that, you really have a problem.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2018 9:09 am
by Retired BLM Rig
I don't know how fast you're moving when you try to engage your lockers, but activation is inhibited above 3 MPH. I turn my locker knob, then turn my steering wheel to cause rotational difference between the axles and just let the truck creep forward. Bingo every time!
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2018 1:07 pm
by DamageWagon
Retired BLM Rig wrote:Bingo every time!
You must be very popular in the retirement home!! lol
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Mon Sep 17, 2018 5:07 pm
by Retired BLM Rig
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2018 11:35 pm
by MOPARManiac
They're back to screwing up again. When I turn the knob to lock the rear the unlocked light will flash along with the front locker light. Really odd flashing. I guess I'll take it back to the dealer and see if they can find anything wrong this time. Damn things, I'm really going to need them when the snow flies and if I'm still trying to get an Elk.
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Sun Sep 23, 2018 11:37 pm
by MOPARManiac
Retired BLM Rig wrote: ↑Mon Sep 17, 2018 9:09 am
I don't know how fast you're moving when you try to engage your lockers, but activation is inhibited above 3 MPH. I turn my locker knob, then turn my steering wheel to cause rotational difference between the axles and just let the truck creep forward. Bingo every time!
That's how I've always done mine as well. There is something electrical going on that is messed up.
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2018 10:31 am
by OffroadTreks
Hardwire has been one of the best mods to date. I just recommend everyone ditch the factory setup.
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2018 2:45 pm
by PWJouster
if a plug and play harness comes on the market, i guaranty 90% of 2018 buyers will buy and install them.
that being said, your method makes hardwired look very easy.
i believe to daunting of an install for alot of people, who may just not have the time or experience.
or dont want to let a random tech fiddle with these parts.
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2018 3:41 pm
by olyelr
BoldAdventure wrote: ↑Mon Sep 24, 2018 10:31 am
Hardwire has been one of the best mods to date. I just recommend everyone ditch the factory setup.
Do you happen to have a video or any info on how you went about this? It seems like you posted something before, but it was on instagram or facebook where I could not view it. I would love to see what you did and how you got it done. I am done waiting for a plug and play setup. I could care less if I have to add extra switches, and cutting into the factory wiring doesn't really scare me much anymore.
Does you factory switch still operate as intended?
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2018 3:44 pm
by OffroadTreks
If I get a chance I'll combine the Instagram video into a solid video and put it on Youtube.
Re: Locker Issues....
Posted: Mon Sep 24, 2018 3:45 pm
by olyelr
BoldAdventure wrote: ↑Mon Sep 24, 2018 3:44 pm
If I get a chance I'll combine the Instagram video into a solid video and put it on Youtube.
Thank ya sir
