These Damn Lockers Are Going To Lead Me to Drink!

[04Ram2500Hemi]

So I decided it was time to go play with the Lockers in the snow and ice as well as dink around with the Disconnecting Sway Bar and the Traction Control stuff. The good news is the Disconnecting Sway Bar and the TC stuff was pretty easy to figure out. The bad news is the Lockers made me use the F Word enough to make a sailor blush. Why is it since the Power Wagon made it’s come back in 2005 up to my 2012 Model they can’t get these damn Lockers to work like they should?

I was on a pretty narrow two lane road with a bunch of snow on the shoulders so I stopped, threw it in 4-Lo, and then started to go. I dumped it into 1st Gear and threw the rear locker switch on. It took a few feet and then the rear’s hooked up. So I flipped it on over to the front/rear combo and nothing but a flashing/blinking light. I know that if I have room I can do the swerve back and forth gig and the front will usually lock up, but I didn’t really have any room to swerve, so all I got was the flashing light. So I switched it back to rear for a few hundred feet then back to front/rear and all I got was the flashing light of death. At this point I’m using the “F” word loosely, and asking myself why on God’s Green Earth I traded my 2004 Ram 2500 Hemi and my 2010 Camaro 2SS in on this truck. At this point I’m thinking for a few grand I could have swapped 4.56 gears and front/rear lockers in the 2004 and I would have been set (I honestly don’t use the disconnecting sway bar unless I’m just messing around). I’m also at this point saying to myself it’s a damn good thing I need a ¾ ton truck or I’d be on the way to the Ford dealership to trade my truck in on the Raptor they have on the lot.

So now that I’m back home and have had time to cool off, and even grab a beer from the fridge (it’s 5pm somewhere right) I have come to the Power Wagon experts in search for some advice. Is there any way in God’s Green Earth that we can bypass this freaking “Smart Bar” Bull Shit and get the lockers to work like they should? This is the nicest truck I’ve ever owned, rides nicer than any vehicle I’ve ever owned, and for day to day stuff I really like it. But I didn’t trade two vehicles in on one for Lockers that honestly aren’t worth the label Power Wagon. I’m begging/pleading for some sort of answer. Tell me somebody knows how to make these lockers lock when we want them to.

[w2dodge]

i know its fn crazy...i have no answers ...but im on the same page with you...there has to be a simpler way..

[cruz]

I’m begging/pleading for some sort of answer.

Three words keep coming to mind, CLASS ACTION SUIT.

[04Ram2500Hemi]

I’m begging/pleading for some sort of answer.

Three words keep coming to mind, CLASS ACTION SUIT.

Where do I sign up? $50,000 trucks should work as advertised. It doesn't even bother me that the lockers only work in 4-Lo, but why can't I just flip the switch and be locked?

[FirerescuePW]

Hey guys, keep in mind that the slow-flashing indicator light is normal. It flashes while the locker is trying to engage. When you flick the switch, you are electrically shifting a mechanical part. If the splines are not lined up when you call for locking, THEY WILL NOT LOCK until such time as there is a difference in rotation between the left and right wheel (wheelspin, left or right turn) that will allow the splines to line up. Then, and only then, will the locker engage. It's almost as if it won't work unless you need it. You can drive around all day with the light flashing and it won't hurt a thing. It just means you didn't loose traction yet.
Do not confuse a flashing light with a rapidly flashing light. I think about 60% of the locker "problems" are a misunderstanding of the way the system works. And just for the record, I have had my actuator replaced in the rear, so I have seen an actual failure, as well as perceived problems when I first bought the PW and didn't quite "get it".

[04Ram2500Hemi]

So does any body have a Rubicon? I wonder how quick the lockers engage on those?

[Dawizman]

Just from reading a few forum posts, it sounds like they might have the same issues we have with the smart bar. I'm really tempted to hard wire mine with switches, but I would need to find the right connectors to do it so that I could return it to stock easy enough to bring it in for warranty work

[w2dodge]

Well I ordered a new smart bar last week...so I'm waiting to get it...when i install it ...we'll see if it stops my problem..serv4wd..rr..lights....when there not on ,my lockers at times engage like a light switch

[TwinStick]

We REALLY need to come up with a fix. Then, maybe we could do some regional get-togethers to fix everyones at once. I for one, am electrically challenged.

[GunniPWguy]

I too went through the locker woes. Broken actuators front and rear and swaybar electronics shot. all new now and I have found that my rear locker actuates at a stand still! front actuates shortly thereafter with minimal F@#$in around Patience is the key. Slower is better. I can pull forward and swerve to and fro and stop and it locks up. I usually try and get everything locked up before I get into a situation where I actually need it. The wife always says really? we aren't even 4 wheelin yet! I firmly believe that these electronic lockers and swaybar dis-connects are the worst form of this type of system. Do you ever hear anyone with ARB air lockers complaining? As far as the sway bar goes EVO has already figured out how to manualize that. EVO swaybar manual disconnect mod and hardwired lockers are the only other way when the shit hits the fan next time for this PW owner. I have the parts sitting in my garage.

[Chiprat1]

http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=366257

Here is the link to the conversation, it is easy to fix the lockers, everyone is doing it.

[Chiprat1]

OK got the lockers working via Hard wire. Great…., I always knew my lockers were fine; it was just something in the wiring or the Dumbar. Pretty sure it is the Dumbar. When I went to Port Aransas this last spring (Real humid, and moist), my lockers worked perfect the whole time, and no blinking lights.

I have no pic’s yet, for I have not yet found the best switch, I just used two switches I had around the garage. I did not buy relays, and I did not buy new connection plugs for the lockers. The wires for the Rear locker are in the cluster right below the Driver floor board. (Will show Pic’s soon) I just hard wired to them. Lockers lock within seconds and disengage almost as fast, depending on the bind I may be in. I used two 15amp fuses for each. The front locker wires are real close to this cluster and I spliced into them as well.
My goal is to decode the Locker switch and wire to it so I can use it as my locker switch yet still have it for my sway bar disconnect. Which works fine all the time….go figure.
__________________
06 PW Rock Rails
Line-X, Locker ByPass, 35' BFG KM2's

More Toys than you can shake a stick at..
1980 CJ7 Black, Rino lined, AMC 360, 33x12x15 ProComp
Brute 650 Stock and bad
1973 CJ5 Beat to #$%^, but fun

[w2dodge]

we all should from pwr and dt...e-mail chrysler with our locker problems...i've done it with my wifes truck ..tahoe.. had issues resolved...its worth a try..i will if this new smart bar doesn't resolve my issue...

[blindsquirrel33]

So does any body have a Rubicon? I wonder how quick the lockers engage on those?

My Rubicon is an '04. Back then the lockers were air actuated, they engage as soon as I hit the switch. Not too sure about the electronic lockers in the newer Rubicons though.

[04Ram2500Hemi]

OK got the lockers working via Hard wire. Great…., I always knew my lockers were fine; it was just something in the wiring or the Dumbar. Pretty sure it is the Dumbar. When I went to Port Aransas this last spring (Real humid, and moist), my lockers worked perfect the whole time, and no blinking lights.

I have no pic’s yet, for I have not yet found the best switch, I just used two switches I had around the garage. I did not buy relays, and I did not buy new connection plugs for the lockers. The wires for the Rear locker are in the cluster right below the Driver floor board. (Will show Pic’s soon) I just hard wired to them. Lockers lock within seconds and disengage almost as fast, depending on the bind I may be in. I used two 15amp fuses for each. The front locker wires are real close to this cluster and I spliced into them as well.
My goal is to decode the Locker switch and wire to it so I can use it as my locker switch yet still have it for my sway bar disconnect. Which works fine all the time….go figure.
__________________
06 PW Rock Rails
Line-X, Locker ByPass, 35' BFG KM2's

More Toys than you can shake a stick at..
1980 CJ7 Black, Rino lined, AMC 360, 33x12x15 ProComp
Brute 650 Stock and bad
1973 CJ5 Beat to #$%^, but fun

So essentially the Smart/Dumb Bar is our issue then. If you figure out how to make the factory switch work for our lockers while bypassing the idiot bar I'll be the first to say warranty be damned and follow your lead.

[N2DFIRE]

ARB Just came out with a locker for the rear end.......maybe a option.

[TwinStick]

N2DFIRE

Is it the same as the GM AAM 10.5" 14 bolt ??? Because i can't seem to find it listed anywhere. Post a link please.

[MSCH2112]

i've had 2 PW's since 2005. i found with the 05' it all came down to keeping that magnet clean in the locker. i had to replace it once on the 05' to the tune of $400 just for the stupid magnet. Regarding how long it takes to lock up, i guess i've had 8 years to figure it out and i've noticed i have a skill in locking them up pretty quick now. but your correct, why on earth Dodge didn't go with air lockers is beyond me.

mike

[04Ram2500Hemi]

Saw this over on Dodge Talk. This gives me hope. One guy sounds like he can hardware the lockers with the factory switch. Hopefully this will be a reasonable solution for us.
http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=366257

[Chiprat1]

here is my write up on the other site.....

http://www.dodgetalk.com/forums/showthread.php?t=367371

PM me if you have further questions and I will work with you on more details.

[bstefanic]

My wife has a '11 Rubicon and at times its actually more of a pain in the ass to get the lockers engaged then my truck. I have never had any real issues getting the lockers to engage, if they don't engage right away just driving forward or reverse a few feet and rotating the tires back and forth does the trick.

[PWRider]

I've got same problem lockers don't want to engage. They do work instantly if I lift one wheel off the ground but I fail to see how wiring up locker directly as opposed though "Dumb bar" resolves this issue. You still operating on same actuator inside diffs. It either engages or not. If you bypass locker position sensor and light up little flashing light instantly it doesn't mean locker actually locket. One just masked the problem.

[cruz]

but I fail to see how wiring up locker directly as opposed though "Dumb bar" resolves this issue. You still operating on same actuator inside diffs. It either engages or not.

There is a lot of electronic crap between the switch and the actuator ( computer, sensors, "smart"bar, etc. ) to go wrong vs. direct current via one wire in.

[PWRider]

Well for those symptoms would be different or so it seems. It would either work or not work a all. All that swerving, going back and forth, lifting wheel doesn't make any difference for computer. Only restriction if I'm not mistaken is being in low range hence by-pass. Otherwise smart-bar sends signal to relay that connects locker actuator to battery. Front will not engage till rear is engaged so yes computer could effect that. Still main problems seems low power electrical actuator that fails to engage misaligned splines. Other makes or models: Jeep, Toyota Land Cruiser, OEM Mitsubishi Montero (that one has low pressure air actuator, but non the less) often have same issue: slow engaging lockers. Unlike say ARB where 90 PSI slam it shut pretty much instantly.

[Chiprat1]

before there was the Dumb Bar and elect circuit board 12 inches on the ground outside!!!!! there we standard electrical lockers that many people used. the same lockers we have just without the Dumb Bar. Hard wire works and has no draw backs.

If you want to read my License plate, you must have lockers that work...