2015 Rubicon JKU - Nothing happens when Pressing Locker button

H

Hirschmann

New member
Hello Everyone,

So I think I have a mess on my hands. The core goal of this post is as follow: How do I best work through troubleshooting the issue of my lockers not even attempting to engage when the Jeep is in 4LO, traction control auto turns off. I press the locker button down once and nothing. No blinking lights, no reaction from the jeep.

Before moving forward I should note. I believe I have already caused some damage to the electrical for one main reason. My Wife hit a rock or object when off road in the Jeep and crushed the electronic swaybar disconnect wiring harness. The outer cap was shot exposing the inside of the connector. But it was still latched and on the swaybar. I didn't know about this for almost 4 months. We were not off-roading it and I just never popped under the jeep.

So - I am not really receiving any crazy Christmas tree lights on dash. my ODB Jscan isn't firing off any problems. But the Sway bar doesn't disconnect with the button, nor do the lockers. buttons don't do anything when pressed. when I say this, the dash reflects no effort by the car to do anything.

Now!
My plan is to do the following - unplug the harness from the swaybar. Wrap it, seal it and zip-tie it up out of the way. Then use my Jscan to disable that module. From there I will put in the EVO manual swaybar disconnector in. This fixes the swaybar disconnect. Any advice or anything I am missing here?

I am worried about the TIPM..... Specifically the functionality of the lockers through the TIPM. Maybe I did damage when the harness was plugged in and got wet, it totally did, it was exposed for months.....
Do I start with the switches in the dash for the locker? Id need detail on how to even really test the rocker switch.
Do I test the relays under the hood for the lockers by the battery? If so, how would I test them?
Do I go under the jeep, unplug the magnet actuator plug and feed it 12v somehow? if so how is the best method?

When I do this testing, I plan to change diff fluid and pull the covers off to watch the lockers. probably spray everything down with some brake cleaner and ensure the internal all look good.

Any advice or help you have would be great!
 
To the best of my knowledge, the sway bar disconnect has nothing to do with the locker. When I disconnected the harness on my sway bar (2012 Rubicon) it didn't affect locker actuation.

Did you try pressing your locker switch twice?

Try engaging the lockers with the key on and the engine off. Listen for a click. If you aren't certain you can hear the click from the driver's seat, have a friend activate the lockers switch while you're under the Jeep by the pumpkin.

If you pull the diff cover off, you'll be able to see if the lockers are engaging/disengaging.

There is a locker position sensor inside the diff, up and behind the ring gear. It has a little hat that needs to be inboard the plate. The plate moves when the lockers are engaged and push the hat completing the circuit that powers the indicator light on the instrument panel. If the wires are damaged, the connector loose or the hat out of place, the lockers will engage but the indicator won't light.

If the locker magnet ring or the wires to it are damaged, the ring won't activate the locker.
 
I know this is two months ago, but may help you and others:
For the sway bar connector, you could source a replacement connector from a junk yard and just cut it out and spice it (Disconnect battery first of course) in to replace the broken one if the pins look ok on the actual unit your plugging it into. But, as far as I recall the lockers and sway bars are both controlled by the ORC module (off-road control module ) which is integrated into the TPIM if I remember right (I think it used to be a seperate part). If it detects a fault (Say pins in the connector are crushed and shorting out), it can cause exactly what you are seeing with the lockers not engaging as it sees a fault. It can (but not always) cause codes to come up like C2204, C2205, or C2206 and you might have to clear them to get the module to allow it to lock again. So either way you should make sure the connector is at least not causing a short. I found this info on the codes online:

🔍 DTC Definitions and Relevance​


C2204 – Front Axle Disconnected Switch Sense Performance​


  • Meaning: The system is not receiving the expected signal from the sway bar disconnect motor’s internal switch.
  • Cause: Could be a faulty sway bar motor, wiring issue (like corrosion or breakage), or a bad connection at the sway bar connector.
  • Symptoms:
    • “Sway Bar” warning light on
    • System may not allow sway bar to disconnect or reconnect
    • Lockers may also be restricted from engaging due to shared control logic


C2205 – Front Axle Disconnect Switch Sense Stuck​


  • Meaning: The system sees the disconnect switch signal as always on or off, indicating it's stuck.
  • Cause: Often a mechanical failure or sensor issue inside the sway bar motor housing.
  • Symptoms:
    • Disconnect system fails to operate
    • Warning light or fault in the EVIC (dashboard display)


C2206 – Front Axle Disconnect Motor Control Circuit Open​


  • Meaning: The control module detects an open circuit (no continuity) in the sway bar disconnect motor wiring.
  • Cause:
    • Severed or corroded wire
    • Disconnected or damaged sway bar motor connector
    • Failed motor
  • Symptoms:
    • System completely non-functional
    • Lockers may also be inoperable due to fault logic lockdown


🔄 Impact on Locker Operation​


Because the Off-Road Control Module (ORCM) (whether standalone or integrated into the TIPM or BCM) oversees both lockers and sway bar logic, faults like these can prevent locker engagement, especially in the front axle.
sbar disconnect.jpg
 
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