Hey All,

I have a 04 TJ Rubicon, and apparently it's always in 4wd.

I bought the Jeep about 5 years ago from a previous owner and quite honestly, never really used for the 4wd. Since then, I've been away for a couple years, lived in a city where I didn't need a vehicle and came back a couple months ago.

I noticed that the lever is technically in 4H, but the light isnt on. When I push down to 2H, the 4wd light comes on, but when i pull up to 4H it turns off. Is there a reason for this? I would imagine it cant be good for the Jeep?

Thanks for the help. I'll try to get a video of what I'm talking about, if it's not clear.

It is not good to drive in 4wd all the time, no. It's curious why it comes on in 2 and not 4. I would get underneath it and inspect the lever on the transfer case as someone operates the lever in the cab to make sure its in the right position.

Sounds like the linkage is messed up. Crawl under it, drives side along frame rail by TC, you'll see it. Loosen the bolt on the rod, pull or push the rod all the way forward 2wd or backward 4wd. Then put lever in appropriate position and tighten the bolt you loosened.

Hey guys, thanks for the heads up. I will take a further look when I get a chance. I just had a buddy of mine fix the U-Joints. I didnt get a chance to have him look underneath, but he told me I need a new 4H sensor for the Jeep.

Also, here's what it looks like: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ_JRsq7phE

He told me to drive in 2H and the 4wd light will show until I get a new sensor, so I'm assuming he checked everything else?

My bet is the lever is wrong. WHen I installed my savvy shifter I f'd up and lost track of the position of the shifter arm at the tcase. Same experience you have now. Though I dont know if you have a shifter cable or the linkage....

Crawl under and take a look at it. Also...have you verified it is in 4wd when the lever is in 2hi?

I will take a look at this tonight after work. Will keep you posted. Thanks!

To adjust the linkage:
2004 FSM:
ADJUSTMENTS - SHIFT LINKAGE
(1) Shift transfer case into 4L position.
(2) Raise vehicle. (not necessary)
(3) Loosen lock bolt (13mm) on adjusting trunnion
(4) Be sure linkage rod slides freely in trunnion. (Clean rod and apply spray lube if necessary)
(5) Verify that transfer case range lever is fully engaged in 4L position.
(6) Tighten adjusting trunnion lock bolt.
(The trunnion needs to slide freely after you loosen the 13mm bolt, then push the rod until the T-case is in 4L.
If rusted in place, use liquid wrench/pb blaster and a wire brush)

There are video's on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/results?searc...+case+linkage+

If you find out you need a new sensor, buy a mopar one. I bought an aftermarket one and the 4wd light came on in between 2h and 4h, never on either 4h or 4lo. You should be able to tell, regardless of a light telling you, if your in 4wd or not!

If you need a new sensor, note that the sensor for the Rubicon is the 5 position switch, part# 05083138AA and the seal, part# 04338956
(The Rubicon lockers will not engage if the switch is defective)

I just installed one a few weeks ago. I couldn't get the old one off from below, so I had to remove the console (one of the bolts under the cup holder, another under the shifter boot), then unbolt the T-Case handle. This gave me access to the switch with a rachet, swivel joint and 1½ socket. (see: https://www.wranglerforum.com/f210/np...ml#post9571962)

After the install of the new switch, the light still did not work until I tried the following suggestion:

1. Disconnect the POSITIVE battery Terminal and touch it to ground for 30 seconds. (to discharge the PCM capacitors)
2. Reconnect the Battery Cable
3. Turn Ignition Switch to the "ON" position but DO NOT start the engine
4. Turn Headlight "ON"
5. Turn Headlights "OFF"
6. Turn Ignition Key "OFF" The PCM Adaptive memory has now been flashed, or erased from the PCM.
7. Dash light test (hold the tripometer switch and key-on the ignition switch, wait for all gauges to test and the test is completed)

(Note: Try the above 7 steps first, it might save you some money and work)

BTW, you're probably not in 4WD even though the light is on (You'll know if in 4WD when making a slow turn).
I don't think this is a linkage issue, but the 5 position switch.
If you're lucky, it's just a re-set as described in the 7 steps above, otherwise a new switch is needed.

Like he posted the non rubicon use a simple switch for 4WD light but the rubicon's use a plunger controlled variable resistance potentiometer with the resistance read by the PCM rather than a simple on off plunger switch

Although referred to as a switch the rubicon potentiometer has no detents just a continuously variable resistance based on plunger extension

This same potentiometer can be found on Jeep Liberty and some WJ transfer cases

A simple reset procedure as described above may resolve your issue






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Thanks! We got a bit of snow over here so as soon as I can, I'm going to try these 7 steps first.

Thanks for the help on this everyone. I'll keep you posted

are you experiencing the jeep driving in 4x4 or just the light?

you should be able to tell if its in 2wd or 4wd by turning at a slow speed, if it turns smoothly, its in 2wd, if its jumpy its in 4wd.