Re: Rubicon Front Locker
 

To activate the lockers, you must be in 4 Low. The locker switch on the
dash works by pressing down or pulling up.

Press down once to activate the rear, then press again to activate the
front. Pressing down should turn the front locker on and off.
Pull the switch up to disengage both lockers.

The Rubicon locker has a switch that mounts through the diff case. The
switch has a plunger that hooks through the locker actuator plate. A
picture of the switch can be found here:
http://www.kerygma.org/nelson/Jeep/J...ont%20End.html
Scroll down to the bottom of the page.

When the locker is engaged, the plate pulls the plunger on the switch toward
the center of the diff. This causes the dashboard light to stay lit.

The light could stay flashing for a number of reasons.

1) an open circuit in the switch or switch wiring
2) low or no air pressure to the diff. Measure with a gauge. Rubicon
lockers use low air pressure. You can compare with the rear.
3) locker plate could be jammed, but this would probably cause lots of noise

Don't remove the switch from the diff case. It is tricky to get back in
place without removing the diff cover. However, if you do remove the
switch, you can test the locker by inserting a 1/4 socket extension into the
diff, and pressing on the locker plate. Lift the driver side front tire
with the tcase in neutral. Turn the tire to check the locker. Unlocked,
the tire will turn. Locked, it won't. In between, it will make nasty
popping sounds (that's normal).

If the front lockers are working, you would know it. A Jeep with the front
end locked has extremely poor steering. I can't imagine that you would not
be able to tell if they were locked.

Paul Nelson

in article 12i8jnc8lnq7fe7@corp.supernews.com, Don Hamilton at
cdhamil@excite.com wrote on 10/4/06 7:16 PM:

>
> "nawt2smart" <nawt2smart@excite.com> wrote in message
> news:1159988599.725507.205800@m73g2000cwd.googlegr oups.com...
>>
>> Don Hamilton wrote:
>>> I just purchased a 2005 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited and when I push the button
>>> to
>>> lock the wheels the rears quit flashing for full lock but the fronts
>>> continue to flash only. I was in some sandy dirt and when cornering the
>>> front would occasionally also stop flashing momentarily. Is this normal?
>>> Do
>>> I have to get in a real bind to get the fronts to completely lock in or
>>> do I
>>> have a mechanical problem? Thanks in advance!! Don
>>
>> I have on 05 rubi. I rarely engage the front lockers, but when I have
>> in deep soft sand, mine have never started blinking once they are
>> locked in. I believe it should only blink when engaging or disenaging.
>> I would take it to the dealer.
>>
> Do you hold the button until the blinking stops? When I push it twice both
> come on flashing and after a few seconds the rear stops flashing the front
> continues to flash unless I get it in a bind like in a turn then it stops
> flashing until the bind is released. May never use it but just seems odd.
> Thanks for the reply. Don
>
>

Re: Rubicon Front Locker
 

To activate the lockers, you must be in 4 Low. The locker switch on the
dash works by pressing down or pulling up.

Press down once to activate the rear, then press again to activate the
front. Pressing down should turn the front locker on and off.
Pull the switch up to disengage both lockers.

The Rubicon locker has a switch that mounts through the diff case. The
switch has a plunger that hooks through the locker actuator plate. A
picture of the switch can be found here:
http://www.kerygma.org/nelson/Jeep/J...ont%20End.html
Scroll down to the bottom of the page.

When the locker is engaged, the plate pulls the plunger on the switch toward
the center of the diff. This causes the dashboard light to stay lit.

The light could stay flashing for a number of reasons.

1) an open circuit in the switch or switch wiring
2) low or no air pressure to the diff. Measure with a gauge. Rubicon
lockers use low air pressure. You can compare with the rear.
3) locker plate could be jammed, but this would probably cause lots of noise

Don't remove the switch from the diff case. It is tricky to get back in
place without removing the diff cover. However, if you do remove the
switch, you can test the locker by inserting a 1/4 socket extension into the
diff, and pressing on the locker plate. Lift the driver side front tire
with the tcase in neutral. Turn the tire to check the locker. Unlocked,
the tire will turn. Locked, it won't. In between, it will make nasty
popping sounds (that's normal).

If the front lockers are working, you would know it. A Jeep with the front
end locked has extremely poor steering. I can't imagine that you would not
be able to tell if they were locked.

Paul Nelson

in article 12i8jnc8lnq7fe7@corp.supernews.com, Don Hamilton at
cdhamil@excite.com wrote on 10/4/06 7:16 PM:

>
> "nawt2smart" <nawt2smart@excite.com> wrote in message
> news:1159988599.725507.205800@m73g2000cwd.googlegr oups.com...
>>
>> Don Hamilton wrote:
>>> I just purchased a 2005 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited and when I push the button
>>> to
>>> lock the wheels the rears quit flashing for full lock but the fronts
>>> continue to flash only. I was in some sandy dirt and when cornering the
>>> front would occasionally also stop flashing momentarily. Is this normal?
>>> Do
>>> I have to get in a real bind to get the fronts to completely lock in or
>>> do I
>>> have a mechanical problem? Thanks in advance!! Don
>>
>> I have on 05 rubi. I rarely engage the front lockers, but when I have
>> in deep soft sand, mine have never started blinking once they are
>> locked in. I believe it should only blink when engaging or disenaging.
>> I would take it to the dealer.
>>
> Do you hold the button until the blinking stops? When I push it twice both
> come on flashing and after a few seconds the rear stops flashing the front
> continues to flash unless I get it in a bind like in a turn then it stops
> flashing until the bind is released. May never use it but just seems odd.
> Thanks for the reply. Don
>
>

Re: Rubicon Front Locker
 

Don,
sounds like you might have an air line that is leaking on the front axle.
Crawl under there and trace it back to behind the transfer case to the
little air pump.

Avoid sharp turns and hard pack while using the lockers. Don't be afraid to
turn them off/on while navigating sharp turns.

--
mark
www.hydrotoys.com
"Don Hamilton" <cdhamil@excite.com> wrote in message
news:12i8c1qahqri473@corp.supernews.com...
> Low range. It just keeps flashing will not lock in.
>
>
>
> "Matt Macchiarolo" <matt@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> news:U_adnen9SpgOcr7YnZ2dnUVZ_sSdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> Are you in low or high range?
>>
>> "Don Hamilton" <cdhamil@excite.com> wrote in message
>> news:12i739u4oks8o72@corp.supernews.com...
>>>I just purchased a 2005 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited and when I push the button
>>>to lock the wheels the rears quit flashing for full lock but the fronts
>>>continue to flash only. I was in some sandy dirt and when cornering the
>>>front would occasionally also stop flashing momentarily. Is this normal?
>>>Do I have to get in a real bind to get the fronts to completely lock in
>>>or do I have a mechanical problem? Thanks in advance!! Don
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Re: Rubicon Front Locker
 

Don,
sounds like you might have an air line that is leaking on the front axle.
Crawl under there and trace it back to behind the transfer case to the
little air pump.

Avoid sharp turns and hard pack while using the lockers. Don't be afraid to
turn them off/on while navigating sharp turns.

--
mark
www.hydrotoys.com
"Don Hamilton" <cdhamil@excite.com> wrote in message
news:12i8c1qahqri473@corp.supernews.com...
> Low range. It just keeps flashing will not lock in.
>
>
>
> "Matt Macchiarolo" <matt@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> news:U_adnen9SpgOcr7YnZ2dnUVZ_sSdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> Are you in low or high range?
>>
>> "Don Hamilton" <cdhamil@excite.com> wrote in message
>> news:12i739u4oks8o72@corp.supernews.com...
>>>I just purchased a 2005 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited and when I push the button
>>>to lock the wheels the rears quit flashing for full lock but the fronts
>>>continue to flash only. I was in some sandy dirt and when cornering the
>>>front would occasionally also stop flashing momentarily. Is this normal?
>>>Do I have to get in a real bind to get the fronts to completely lock in
>>>or do I have a mechanical problem? Thanks in advance!! Don
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Re: Rubicon Front Locker
 

Don,
sounds like you might have an air line that is leaking on the front axle.
Crawl under there and trace it back to behind the transfer case to the
little air pump.

Avoid sharp turns and hard pack while using the lockers. Don't be afraid to
turn them off/on while navigating sharp turns.

--
mark
www.hydrotoys.com
"Don Hamilton" <cdhamil@excite.com> wrote in message
news:12i8c1qahqri473@corp.supernews.com...
> Low range. It just keeps flashing will not lock in.
>
>
>
> "Matt Macchiarolo" <matt@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> news:U_adnen9SpgOcr7YnZ2dnUVZ_sSdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
>> Are you in low or high range?
>>
>> "Don Hamilton" <cdhamil@excite.com> wrote in message
>> news:12i739u4oks8o72@corp.supernews.com...
>>>I just purchased a 2005 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited and when I push the button
>>>to lock the wheels the rears quit flashing for full lock but the fronts
>>>continue to flash only. I was in some sandy dirt and when cornering the
>>>front would occasionally also stop flashing momentarily. Is this normal?
>>>Do I have to get in a real bind to get the fronts to completely lock in
>>>or do I have a mechanical problem? Thanks in advance!! Don
>>>
>>
>>
>
>

Re: Rubicon Front Locker
 

Don Hamilton wrote:
> "nawt2smart" <nawt2smart@excite.com> wrote in message
> news:1159988599.725507.205800@m73g2000cwd.googlegr oups.com...
> >
> > Don Hamilton wrote:
> >> I just purchased a 2005 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited and when I push the button
> >> to
> >> lock the wheels the rears quit flashing for full lock but the fronts
> >> continue to flash only. I was in some sandy dirt and when cornering the
> >> front would occasionally also stop flashing momentarily. Is this normal?
> >> Do
> >> I have to get in a real bind to get the fronts to completely lock in or
> >> do I
> >> have a mechanical problem? Thanks in advance!! Don
> >
> > I have on 05 rubi. I rarely engage the front lockers, but when I have
> > in deep soft sand, mine have never started blinking once they are
> > locked in. I believe it should only blink when engaging or disenaging.
> > I would take it to the dealer.
> >
> Do you hold the button until the blinking stops? When I push it twice both
> come on flashing and after a few seconds the rear stops flashing the front
> continues to flash unless I get it in a bind like in a turn then it stops
> flashing until the bind is released. May never use it but just seems odd.
> Thanks for the reply. Don


I believe you have to be going 1-3 mph to get the lockers to engage,
this could be your problem. Maybe even try stopping, then inch forward
until the blinking stops.

The other poster was right. If your front is locked you will know as
you cant steer.

Push down for rear, push down again for front. Pull up to disengage
lockers.

Re: Rubicon Front Locker
 

Don Hamilton wrote:
> "nawt2smart" <nawt2smart@excite.com> wrote in message
> news:1159988599.725507.205800@m73g2000cwd.googlegr oups.com...
> >
> > Don Hamilton wrote:
> >> I just purchased a 2005 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited and when I push the button
> >> to
> >> lock the wheels the rears quit flashing for full lock but the fronts
> >> continue to flash only. I was in some sandy dirt and when cornering the
> >> front would occasionally also stop flashing momentarily. Is this normal?
> >> Do
> >> I have to get in a real bind to get the fronts to completely lock in or
> >> do I
> >> have a mechanical problem? Thanks in advance!! Don
> >
> > I have on 05 rubi. I rarely engage the front lockers, but when I have
> > in deep soft sand, mine have never started blinking once they are
> > locked in. I believe it should only blink when engaging or disenaging.
> > I would take it to the dealer.
> >
> Do you hold the button until the blinking stops? When I push it twice both
> come on flashing and after a few seconds the rear stops flashing the front
> continues to flash unless I get it in a bind like in a turn then it stops
> flashing until the bind is released. May never use it but just seems odd.
> Thanks for the reply. Don


I believe you have to be going 1-3 mph to get the lockers to engage,
this could be your problem. Maybe even try stopping, then inch forward
until the blinking stops.

The other poster was right. If your front is locked you will know as
you cant steer.

Push down for rear, push down again for front. Pull up to disengage
lockers.

Re: Rubicon Front Locker
 

Don Hamilton wrote:
> "nawt2smart" <nawt2smart@excite.com> wrote in message
> news:1159988599.725507.205800@m73g2000cwd.googlegr oups.com...
> >
> > Don Hamilton wrote:
> >> I just purchased a 2005 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited and when I push the button
> >> to
> >> lock the wheels the rears quit flashing for full lock but the fronts
> >> continue to flash only. I was in some sandy dirt and when cornering the
> >> front would occasionally also stop flashing momentarily. Is this normal?
> >> Do
> >> I have to get in a real bind to get the fronts to completely lock in or
> >> do I
> >> have a mechanical problem? Thanks in advance!! Don
> >
> > I have on 05 rubi. I rarely engage the front lockers, but when I have
> > in deep soft sand, mine have never started blinking once they are
> > locked in. I believe it should only blink when engaging or disenaging.
> > I would take it to the dealer.
> >
> Do you hold the button until the blinking stops? When I push it twice both
> come on flashing and after a few seconds the rear stops flashing the front
> continues to flash unless I get it in a bind like in a turn then it stops
> flashing until the bind is released. May never use it but just seems odd.
> Thanks for the reply. Don


I believe you have to be going 1-3 mph to get the lockers to engage,
this could be your problem. Maybe even try stopping, then inch forward
until the blinking stops.

The other poster was right. If your front is locked you will know as
you cant steer.

Push down for rear, push down again for front. Pull up to disengage
lockers.

Re: Rubicon Front Locker
 

Sometimes it takes 30 or 40 seconds to lock-in on my Rubi. I found that if
you push the axle lock button to lock the axles, then move forward a few
feet, then backward a few feet, they usually lock right away.

Tom

"Don Hamilton" <cdhamil@excite.com> wrote in message
news:12i8c1qahqri473@corp.supernews.com...
> Low range. It just keeps flashing will not lock in.
>
>
>
> "Matt Macchiarolo" <matt@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> news:U_adnen9SpgOcr7YnZ2dnUVZ_sSdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> > Are you in low or high range?
> >
> > "Don Hamilton" <cdhamil@excite.com> wrote in message
> > news:12i739u4oks8o72@corp.supernews.com...
> >>I just purchased a 2005 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited and when I push the
button
> >>to lock the wheels the rears quit flashing for full lock but the fronts
> >>continue to flash only. I was in some sandy dirt and when cornering the
> >>front would occasionally also stop flashing momentarily. Is this normal?
> >>Do I have to get in a real bind to get the fronts to completely lock in
or
> >>do I have a mechanical problem? Thanks in advance!! Don
> >>
> >
> >
>
>

Re: Rubicon Front Locker
 

Sometimes it takes 30 or 40 seconds to lock-in on my Rubi. I found that if
you push the axle lock button to lock the axles, then move forward a few
feet, then backward a few feet, they usually lock right away.

Tom

"Don Hamilton" <cdhamil@excite.com> wrote in message
news:12i8c1qahqri473@corp.supernews.com...
> Low range. It just keeps flashing will not lock in.
>
>
>
> "Matt Macchiarolo" <matt@nospamplease.com> wrote in message
> news:U_adnen9SpgOcr7YnZ2dnUVZ_sSdnZ2d@comcast.com. ..
> > Are you in low or high range?
> >
> > "Don Hamilton" <cdhamil@excite.com> wrote in message
> > news:12i739u4oks8o72@corp.supernews.com...
> >>I just purchased a 2005 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited and when I push the
button
> >>to lock the wheels the rears quit flashing for full lock but the fronts
> >>continue to flash only. I was in some sandy dirt and when cornering the
> >>front would occasionally also stop flashing momentarily. Is this normal?
> >>Do I have to get in a real bind to get the fronts to completely lock in
or
> >>do I have a mechanical problem? Thanks in advance!! Don
> >>
> >
> >
>
>