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4WD indicator light still not working w/new 5 position switch (NP241)

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17K views 38 replies 6 participants last post by  fabil  
#1 ·
4WD indicator light not working (update from http://www.wranglerforum.com/f210/4wd-indicator-light-1908810.html)
2004 Rubi / NP241
I hadn't been in 4WD for a few months, had a new clutch installed, it then snowed, so I engaged 4WD and noticed the indicator light was not working.

Just installed a new 5 position switch T-Case sensor, didn't fix it.
4WD is engaging, however I tested the lockers and they are not engaging (I'm thinking that's because the PCM doesn't know I'm in 4WD).

What else can I check? Is there a fuse for this?
I don't see how, but could it be related to the installation of the new clutch?
 
#7 ·
Even with the off road package the FSM shows it as a simple switch

Without off road package the switch grounds the bulb and the bulb gets power fuse block fuse 10

With off road package still a simple open or closed switch no 5 position switch

The two wires to the transfer case switch with the 04 off road package are both from PCM

One is sensor ground blk with light blue stripe from pin 4 connector C1 at PCM

Other is brown with white stripe from pin 14 C1 at PCM

The switch simply connects or disconnects these two wires to each other
(See FSM TJ 2004 page 8W-31-15)

For no off road package see page 8W-31-2

Then apparently the PCM controls the cluster light via the BUS (PCI bus)


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#12 ·
There is a bypass for that

http://www.stu-offroad.com/electrical/rubi1/rubi1-1.htm

Also I know people claim 5 position but looks like a big ass single switch with one pair of contacts and that is how FSM shows it

So maybe locker restriction is just 4WD (high or low and speed sensor below some value)

I see no way that simple switch has more than 2 positions


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#17 ·
I also gave my page number guess the book is off/ inconsistent again

The good news is with those resistance values simple to place a resistor across leads where switch would plug in and see if light comes on

If it does issues is switch or switch actuation if not problem is elsewhere


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#18 ·
I also gave my page number guess the book is off/ inconsistent again

The good news is with those resistance values simple to place a resistor across leads where switch would plug in and see if light comes on

If it does issues is switch or switch actuation if not problem is elsewhere
Since it's a new switch, problem is most likely elsewhere, but could be a defective switch
 
#19 ·
There I am pretty sure you are wrong

The off road diagram shows transfer case switch with sensor ground and one other lead both to or from PCM and only the rubicon PCM interfaces with the transfer case switch

Rest just send a ground to wire to bulb in cluster

Part of reason Rubicon PCM is different the other wrangler PCMs
So since the pic Posted shows wires to PCM it had to be the rubicon


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#20 ·
Since the 4WD indicator is not coming on & the lockers are not engaging meaning the PCM is apparently not getting the 4WD lo signal I would say there may be a problem in the switch or wiring between the switch & the PCM.

I would suggest you check the resistance at the switch (connector disconnected) in each of the positions then if they are as the FSM shows, go to the PCM & unplug the C-1 connector there & check the resistance between the wires there to see if it is the same as at the switch. That should answer if it is a switch or wiring problem or something else.
 
#21 ·
Ok now go to page 8W-31-1
Section called Transmission control system

You will see an entry called
Transfer.case switch listed as 8W31-2 , 15

Then look at those pages
8W-31-2 is non Rubi switch giving ground to cluster

And

8W-31-15 is switch connected to PCM image I already posted




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#22 ·
You're right, I see it now on Pg 8W-31-15.
It makes sense that the Rubicon is the "Off Road Package" but what confuses me is that on pg 8J - 37 it says "Models that are equipped with the Off-Road Package do not have a hard wired transfer case switch input". The 5 position switch looked like a "hard wired" switch to me.

edit: ok, I see it now, "hard wired" to the console, not through the PCM
 
#25 ·
Looks like it is really just a variable resistor like a pot with a slider where resistance varies with plunger extension making length of plunger and how FAR it is screwed in important

Which is why the easiest step one is replace sensor with proper ohm resistor and see if light comes on

Measuring resistance with sensor installed is also fine but measuring resistance of removed sensor is not workable as cannot tell where plunger was along its stroke when installed and 4 hi or 4 low selected


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#28 ·
It sounds like voodoo but this guy who installed a new OEM sensor then had to do a PCM reset and a cluster self check to make it work after new sensor install

Sounds silly but costs nothing and worth a try

See link

https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/review/B007NPB57C/R37IHQ5RZT1PJ4/ref=cm_cr_dp_mb_rvw_2?ie=UTF8&cursor=2
Interesting. Similar as mine ("This happened after I did a clutch install, so I thought that the harness wires were pinched"), except that since I didn't go into 4WD for months before the clutch install, I could not confirm that that clutch install caused the problem.

I'll give that bit of voodoo a try.
 
#27 ·
Just measured the resistance of the old switch, and it was working (checked all positions from fully extended @ 20mm to position 1 @ 10mm (2H)
At 12mm (4H) I got a reading of 671Ω, so while you're correct that placing a 700Ω resistor on the plug is the right step 1, the only way that would light the indicator would be if the shaft in the T-Case that moves the plunger is where the problem is (which is possible).
So, while I agree with you, I think I'll jump to step 2 and trace the wire looking for a break before I make a trip to radio shack to get the resistor.

And thanks again for your help. This has been a frustrating little project (first I couldn't get enough leverage from under the Jeep, so I had to get to it from above by removing the T-Case shifter, which meant a trip for a 1½ socket, then of course I needed a ½" swivel and I only had a ⅜" — which didn't bother me until I found out that the new switch wasn't the problem)
 
#30 ·
Just as an aside looks like off road is what the OR in 241OR stands for so kinda makes since FSM calls it off road

This from JP mag article

"Variations: Shown here are the only two Jeep versions that exist. Shown on the right is the Rock-Trac, which is known as the 241OR (OR stands for off-road). The non-Rubicon model is labeled 241J."

Full TC case article here

http://www.fourwheeler.com/how-to/transmission-drivetrain/154-1201-jp-guide-to-jeep-transfer-cases/

Still not a excuse for FSM diagraming it as a simple open closed switch

I did learn something new about that switch and I am grateful

One last question as you depress the plunger on an uninstalled switch is it a smooth continuous travel or are there detents you can feel

Since same switch is listed for some WJ may pick up one at you pull it just to play around or dissect it and see what is inside



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#31 ·
One last question as you depress the plunger on an uninstalled switch is it a smooth continuous travel or are there detents you can feel
The plunger is a smooth travel. Need to measure the travel in 2mm increments to determine the position

Since same switch is listed for some WJ may pick up one at you pull it just to play around or dissect it and see what is inside
If you want my old one to take apart, PM me your address.

Thanks again!!
:iamhappy:
 
#33 ·
I’m stuck on this issue. I’ve bought 2 switches, factory Mopar, and then tested the switches which proved to be good. So the switches are OK. I’ve put a paperclip in the plug to complete the circuit, and the 4wd light comes on... so it seems that my wiring is good. When I have the paper clip in and the 4wd light is on, the lockers operate as needed. BUT, when I plug into the switch, nothing works. Wtf!? My plug is good, switch is good, but when they mate they don’t work. This relationship is killing me. Any one here have an idea on what next? And yes, I want to get this working as I’ve set my mind to it. I’ll do the hack after I solve this mystery.
 
#35 ·
I think putting the paperclip in causes the PCM to think you are in 4WDL. The variable resistance is lowest in 4WDL which would be returning the highest voltage to the PCM. Bypassing it with the p-clip will return max voltage & probably “fooling” the PCM.(?)

The best way to check the switch is to check resistance with it installed & the TC in each of the 4 positions. If it (or both) is off on the readings that will tell you what is going on.

It is very important that the switch be properly installed. It needs to be threaded in the correct amount to maintain the proper plunger position to get the correct resistances. The FSM says there is an O ring which I assume (never had mine out) allows the switch to bottom out against the TC housing so if you use a gasket or are not seating the switch to the housing for some reason that will affect the position/resistance.
 

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#36 ·
I agree that jumping the plug with the paperclip tricks the computer since there is no resistance and no switch.

Regardless if the switch is install or not, testing for the proper resistance will be the same. Never measure the reistance of a circuit with a live current flowing through it.

It is easy to push the plunger in and see the 5 positions and the corresponding resistance with each position. The switches passed this test perfectly.

Yes, there is a little o-ring at the base of the threads to seal and keep fluids in. The switch, when installed, has no gasket... It is metal to metal. So the position has to be good. Inside he 241OR case, there is a metal bar that is all the way up in 2H, a little lower in 4H, a little lower in N, and at the lowest in 4L. In 4L, the plunger of the switch is at position 4 and should have around 200 ohms.

The previous owner had tghe TCM/PCM replaced... I have no check engine light or codes, but I wonder if the replacement PCM has something to do with this.

But again, when I jump the plug, everything works perfect. Logic says its the switch, but reality is that I have 2 brand new in the box Mopar switches and both give the same results of nothing. Ugh.

The mystery is killing me...
 
#37 ·

I understand all of that.

However the only way to verify the plunger is being pushed in the proper distance by the TC is to install the switch. You would not plug the wiring connector in to check resistance readings.

Now, with the PCM replacement info.

The Rubicons do have a different (programmed) PCM. There is one difference I know of that may affect this.

You don’t show what year you have but the ’03 & ’04 non Rubis have an open PCM pin at C-1 pin 14, the Rubis use that pin for the TC position sensor input.

The ’05-‘06s use C-1 pin 26. For non Rubis it is part of the sensor ground circuit but for the Rubis it is the TC position sensor input.

Also, as described in the FSM, it gets 5v to the switch & the PCM monitors the voltage output which makes sense but none of the wiring diagrams (’03-’06) show that. The FSMs are certainly not 100% accurate. Something is not right since the FSMs all show the “off road package” as having a simple on-off position switch which we know is incorrect.

With that said, I’m not sure that a Rubi’s lockers with a non Rubi PCM would work with the paper clip. But something to check into.