Platinum Member Surfer Posted April 4, 2020 Platinum Member Share Posted April 4, 2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee 2012. Got this message "Serv 4WD" system after driving through water about 2 months ago. Went away and then came back and now stays on permanently. Does not seem to be any difference in the way the Jeep performs and handles. I have never used the low ratio since we purchased it in Oct 2018. It has a full Jeep dealership service history and 56k on the speedo. On my 2005 Jeep GC the issue was a faulty sensor. Can any one advise on the issue please? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member digger Posted April 4, 2020 Platinum Member Share Posted April 4, 2020 I have had this problem with mine. I think you have the same problem as I had. The clue to me is in ''I have never used low ratio......' . I was the same because I use my YJ for off roading and therefore seldom use low in my GC like yours. (also I suspect the previous one owner never used it) In my case it was also a couple of years that had gone by since purchase. . My research revealed that it was use it or lose it! If you don't use it then the solenoid/actuators in the axles/gearbox etc gum up and the pistons for engaging/disengaging the diffs etc. won't move. The sensors 'somehow' pick this up and display faults like this. The cure for me was to follow the instructions in the handbook precisely and carefully for engaging/disengaging low and be persistent if it doesn't work. Mine was very difficult. Repeated attempts failed. You need to be rolling very slowly in neutral for it to function. Mine refused, but another mechanic friend said ''try it in reverse'' So I did and it worked with a clunk. After that repeat the procedure a number of times. Then I did it once a day for a week and it was fine. I may/may not have cleared the faults(can't remember). Since then I engage /disengage about once a month on the drive. This was about a couple of years ago and I have had no problems since. Can't guarantee this but it worked for me and I understand its common. If you don't have a book , I will get the instructions to you, just ask. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Stew the Jeep Posted April 4, 2020 Platinum Member Share Posted April 4, 2020 If you know of a gravel car park put the jeep in low box/4wd etc and do a couple of figures of 8 every couple of weeks Keeps the gunbbins lubricated Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Surfer Posted April 5, 2020 Author Platinum Member Share Posted April 5, 2020 Thanks as the dealer wants £132 just for the diagnosis. Not using the Jeep much during this lockdown, but will make a plan as we live in a rural location. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member digger Posted April 5, 2020 Platinum Member Share Posted April 5, 2020 Well, my view is get yourself a good code reader/diagnostic tool. How much you spend is up to you. I can't give any advice but this is what I found. Sellers will tell you all kinds of stuff like, buy a cheap one(a copy I guess they meant) off the net and you risk frying your ECU. I consulted two, unknown to each other, Geek friends whom I have gr8 respect for. They said ''rubbish', if there is something wrong it won't work but it won't cause a problem. You could get a virus (not corona virus) but who in their right mind selling something would send you one. Even if it did it can be fixed by any good Geek. Any way, being a dinosaur, I thought it was risky and went out and got another mortgage. The only limiting factor I've had is my ability with a computer. You pays your money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member digger Posted April 10, 2020 Platinum Member Share Posted April 10, 2020 On 05/04/2020 at 18:44, digger said: Well, my view is get yourself a good code reader/diagnostic tool. How much you spend is up to you. I can't give any advice but this is what I found. Sellers will tell you all kinds of stuff like, buy a cheap one(a copy I guess they meant) off the net and you risk frying your ECU. I consulted two, unknown to each other, Geek friends whom I have gr8 respect for. They said ''rubbish', if there is something wrong it won't work but it won't cause a problem. You could get a virus (not corona virus) but who in their right mind selling something would send you one. Even if it did it can be fixed by any good Geek. Any way, being a dinosaur, I thought it was risky and went out and got another mortgage. LOL. The only limiting factor I've had is my ability with a computer. You pays your money! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Surfer Posted April 12, 2020 Author Platinum Member Share Posted April 12, 2020 I managed to do a short drive through our village and after several or more attempts both in forward and also in reverse I managed to get it into the 4wd mode. I then got it out and then tried once again to get it into the 4wd but no luck. Seems it is an issue with the solenoid / actuator and not a software issue. Maybe a"normal" garage can cured the issue? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Hotwheels Posted April 13, 2020 Platinum Member Share Posted April 13, 2020 Has it had the N23 recall done? does it only show service 4wd or are the abs and traction control lights on also? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Hotwheels Posted April 13, 2020 Platinum Member Share Posted April 13, 2020 Have you tried the fuse trick? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Surfer Posted April 13, 2020 Author Platinum Member Share Posted April 13, 2020 (edited) I have no idea if the N23 recall has been done. Is there any way I can check as I am the second owner. It has the message and the icon with a car skidding or that the Electronic Stability Control is off lit otherwise car feels okay to drive. ABS light is not lit. It is a 2012 Jeep so not sure about the fuse and its location. Thanks as at the moment looking at every option to avoid paying the dealer a couple hundred quid. Edited April 13, 2020 by Surfer 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Hotwheels Posted April 13, 2020 Platinum Member Share Posted April 13, 2020 usually if all three are lit it points to a wheel speed sensor ... to check recalls put your vin number in here https://www.mopar.com/en-us/my-vehicle/recalls/search.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Hotwheels Posted April 19, 2020 Platinum Member Share Posted April 19, 2020 How did you get on? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Surfer Posted April 22, 2020 Author Platinum Member Share Posted April 22, 2020 Apologies for the delay. I have now managed to get the vehicle into low 4wd as and when needed. I have an ELM327 OBDII with full app Torque (not Lite) and used that to see if I could clear the fault code however it does not recognise the error message and states no error codes found? Any ideas? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Surfer Posted April 22, 2020 Author Platinum Member Share Posted April 22, 2020 BTW will the AlfaOBD software diagnose issues with i.e. wheel sensors etc or help clear the fault message? 2012 Jeep GC CRD Overland. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Hotwheels Posted April 22, 2020 Platinum Member Share Posted April 22, 2020 I purchased this it's unbelievable what it can do and allow you to do https://appcar-diagfca.com/en/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Surfer Posted April 23, 2020 Author Platinum Member Share Posted April 23, 2020 I have the OBDII 327v2.1 but have issues communicating with it. Is is a better one for the 2012 Jeep GC's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Hotwheels Posted April 23, 2020 Platinum Member Share Posted April 23, 2020 It opens on your laptop you can do everything from turning off TPMS and even change wheel rotations for larger tyres to keep speedo and gears shift at the right time it's as ood as the main dealers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Surfer Posted April 26, 2020 Author Platinum Member Share Posted April 26, 2020 On 23/04/2020 at 08:57, Hotwheels said: It opens on your laptop you can do everything from turning off TPMS and even change wheel rotations for larger tyres to keep speedo and gears shift at the right time it's as ood as the main dealers Thanks. On checking the OBDII327 Lite V2.1 so probably why I am having issues communicating with it to check other issues. Have now bought a iCar Pro unit and will try the software recommended by yourself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Surfer Posted April 26, 2020 Author Platinum Member Share Posted April 26, 2020 Okay update. Tried both the AlfaOBD and the Jscan. Both come up with the same fault codes which are C2220 and C148F. C148F - Rear Differential Measured motor circuit out of range and C2220 - Rear differential ECU Internal. I am now able to engage and disengage select 4WD low. I can clear the faults, but they come back after about a minute. Seems like this is going to be a dealer job as not sure if an Inde can do a repair if it is either the module or motor requiring replacement. If it is engaging then surely it cannot be the motor or the circuit board? No issues driving it around however we cannot get the Jeep booked into anywhere at present with earliest being about 22nd May in Kidlington if we are lucky as essential services come first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Hotwheels Posted April 26, 2020 Platinum Member Share Posted April 26, 2020 engaging low range is done at the transfer case so that could've just been a stuck solenoid the rear diff has a locking mech for the limited slip diff hence the ELSD electronic Ltd slip diff so it sounds like it's that thats gone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Surfer Posted April 27, 2020 Author Platinum Member Share Posted April 27, 2020 Thanks for the very help advice and video. Both faults codes disappear when cleared however without moving the Jeep if I leave it idling it takes a couple of minutes before the C2220 fault come back up. If I rev the engine it comes back quite quickly. The C148F fault stays away for quite a long time before it re-appears. This is without me moving the Jeep at all. I have three choices. Take the Jeep to Jeep dealer in Kidlington, take Jeep to Westbury in Shrewsbury who were a former Jeep dealership until 2012, but charge a lot less than dealership or take it to the local mechanic who has a very good reputation and does our petrol vehicle. If I were younger I would attempt the repair myself but age and arthritis are against me. LOL! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Hotwheels Posted April 27, 2020 Platinum Member Share Posted April 27, 2020 tbf the Jeep will run and drive without issue the only thing you'll miss is if you're on soft ground or off roading it won't kick in the lockers .. I'd think the fronts should as normal but couldn't be sure Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Surfer Posted April 27, 2020 Author Platinum Member Share Posted April 27, 2020 We mainly use the Jeep for long distance travelling on motorway and for towing our 2000kg caravan. Very occasionally we are on sodden ground, but the normal drive has pulled us out. Error message will not pass a MOT however on checking I remembered that we have a 3 year service plan with Jeep and it includes MOT repairs up to the value of £750. Seeing as we are only doing about 100 miles a month a present maybe it should be okay to wait until late Sept when the vehicle is due to its service and MOT. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Stew the Jeep Posted April 27, 2020 Platinum Member Share Posted April 27, 2020 Wouldn't recommend Westbury Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Member Surfer Posted April 27, 2020 Author Platinum Member Share Posted April 27, 2020 4 hours ago, Stew the Jeep said: Wouldn't recommend Westbury Second person who has said that. We are in Worcester so unsure of any Jeep specialists around? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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