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2003 Rubicon...Lockers not working at all

5085 Views 15 Replies 10 Participants Last post by  MTDIRK
This last Spring I had my 2003 Rubicon transmission rebuilt. A month back the small yellow light for my over drive stopped working but the over drive was doing its job when I would push the button on the cluster. This last weekend I went on a trip and when trying to use my lockers nothing happened at all (no indication from the dash or the button on the cluster). I got home and found that a few of the plugs for the transmission were not on or pushed together and locked. I took it back to my local transmission guy and we tried to find anything wrong and nothing. What I would like to know is....

Other than the two relays is there a main fuse or other fuse for the lockers?
If one or more of the relays is pooched would it cause them not to light up the dash indicator?
Could there be one more plug above the transmission that the mechanic might have pulled that I can't find?

Thanks if you can help at all...would like to be able to use my lockers again someday.
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Did you check the fuses/relays under the hood? There is/should be a diagram on the cover.

I can't remember for sure, but I think when I pulled my transfer case, I undid the pump bracket from the skid, I would assume that is what they did when they pulled the transmission. So none of the wires or hoses should have been undone.
Any plugs related to the transmission, should have no bearing on the lockers I would think.
The whole transmission was pulled so I was wondering if any other plugs above the transmission could affect the lockers? If someone could pull one of the relays and tell me if that prevents the system from working? I'm starting to think that the switch might be bad?
Try this....

on either axle or on both... go down to where the electrical connecter is going into the diff... it is usually attached to a little hanger on a diff cover bolt. With the ignition switch off and the lockers OFF, disconnect this connector. then on the portion that goes into the diff measure the electrical reistance with a multi meter, the circut should be closed, no (0) resistance. If the circit is not closed then you might need a new indicator switch, which is in the diff.

On the pumps, there should be three connections. one for the rear axle pump from main harness, the front axle pump from main harness, and the axle harness from main harness. All connections should be right there with the pumps. You could also test with a multi meter the connections on the main harness going to the rear and front axle pumps to see if they are recieving 12 volts. If you do this, make sure the ignition switch in in the ON position (but not running) and the transfer case is in 4 lo.
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Probably silly to even mention but I will:
Were you in 4 Lo? (Possible override to NOT lock)
Have you done a Locker mod? (Possible that the jumper wire came out)
Probably silly to even mention but I will:
Were you in 4 Lo? (Possible override to NOT lock)
Have you done a Locker mod? (Possible that the jumper wire came out)
Ya...I was in lo and I never did the locker mod


Thanks Sweetpea I will go through your suggestions today. :) ha ha Just notice its Sweet pee ...eww ha
If all else fails check the resistance on the TC switch. hat is where the PCM gets the "in low range signal."
I found this great thread....viewtopic.php?f=31&t=58024&hilit=two+switch+locker+mod and used a paper clip to figure out that the switch was fried and I will do this great mod. This is a really great site for Rubicon info :D
here's the prob, My 2oo3 rubi, i put it in 4 hi today, my indicater light did not come on but mechanically all was well, went to 4 lo and same, no in dash indicator light, but mechanically was in four low, i attempted lock the axles but nothing happened.... What gives? no weird sounds, pops, or anything, just no lockers. i checked all plugs and all were good, under hood relays are good. no blown fuses anywhere that i can find, locker dash light comes on with other dash lights, but the locker indicator light does not come on as nor do the lockers. ???????????
There is aplug on the back of the transfer. That goes from the pump to it. that is were the transfer lets the pumps kick on in 4 low. there are two plugs to the pumps 1 ea. If all these are hooked up. listen to hear the compressor kick on. If they kick on then check your air lines for leaks. I had my trans out just 2 days ago. (6spd.) two plugs on the transfer one on trans up buy the shifter. hope this info helps.
i checked the compressor plugs, all were good and the comprssors were not running, i'll check the plugs on the tranny & transfer tomorow, thanks for the tip. Whats this "easy" mod everybody does to use theyre lockers when in high range? does it work in 2wd?
search "locker bypass" in the tips & techniques section, there are a few good write ups and lots of photos...being lazy or I would find it for you

john
had a burst of energy
ROF search http://www.rubiconownersforum.com/p...t&sd=d&sr=posts&st=0&ch=300&t=0&submit=Search

http://www.wanderingtrail.com/Mods/TJLJmods/Locker_Defeat.htm
thanx topless, easy enough maybe a good 6pack project.
If it takes you a 6 pack to do the locker mod, I think you have problems........
bojang said:
If it takes you a 6 pack to do the locker mod, I think you have problems........
I think it would take longer to drink a beer than it would to do the locker mod, at least from what I remember the first day I got my jeep I had the dash apart in seconds doing the mod haha.
alwaysjeep said:
here's the prob, My 2oo3 rubi, i put it in 4 hi today, my indicater light did not come on but mechanically all was well, went to 4 lo and same, no in dash indicator light, but mechanically was in four low, i attempted lock the axles but nothing happened.... What gives? no weird sounds, pops, or anything, just no lockers. i checked all plugs and all were good, under hood relays are good. no blown fuses anywhere that i can find, locker dash light comes on with other dash lights, but the locker indicator light does not come on as nor do the lockers. ???????????
I had the same problem. It's the 4wd sensor. I did the paperclip locker mod and fixed it right up a few months later decided to have dealer replace the sensor and it was about $250 parts and labor.
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