2021 75th PW...Locker Problem

B-Wagon · Jan 18, 2021

I have a 17 PW and my lights for sway arm disconnect and lockers blink if I leave truck sitting añď running. For a bit. Then shut off when I get up past certain speed. And I know the magnets get metal shavings on them and u have to clean them and change fluid. But I took it in to dealership about sway arm they say I need new one. But there quote was 2500$ not paying that. Anyone know where I could find one cjeaper?

crazy jerry · Jan 18, 2021

interesting. did you ask how they determined the swaybar needs replaced ? i would put dielectric grease on the wire harness and see if the lights go away. perhaps maybe unhooking the battery would help. if theres still blinking lights i would get a second opinion from another dealer.

ChrisChen74 · Jan 19, 2021

Great looking truck and I love the higher end headlights form the Longhorn/Limited they installed instead of the standard LED on

ZPW54 · Jan 25, 2021

ironically my post is below, and everyone has been helpful to show me your post. My issue is exactly the same, anything over a 20 minute drive and the light comes on. I do have the drivetrain display on the dash and noticed anything more then 2 degrees of steering, the axles flash yellow. No binding or issues steering.

Not the 75th edition but in granite.
Anyone have issues with their axle locker system? Recently upgraded from my 2004 2500 to a 2021 Power Wagon and in less then 200 miles I’m getting a service axle locker system. Never used the axle locker or 4WD. Truck is already back at the dealership, now my concern is if they have to go into the diff., there’s a chance of premature rust wherever they loosen bolts.

BigLazer4u · Jan 25, 2021

ZPW54 said:
ironically my post is below, and everyone has been helpful to show me your post. My issue is exactly the same, anything over a 20 minute drive and the light comes on. I do have the drivetrain display on the dash and noticed anything more then 2 degrees of steering, the axles flash yellow. No binding or issues steering.

Not the 75th edition but in granite.
Anyone have issues with their axle locker system? Recently upgraded from my 2004 2500 to a 2021 Power Wagon and in less then 200 miles I’m getting a service axle locker system. Never used the axle locker or 4WD. Truck is already back at the dealership, now my concern is if they have to go into the diff., there’s a chance of premature rust wherever they loosen bolts.

they replaced the actuator on mine, never had a issue since.

ZPW54 · Jan 25, 2021

Great, hopefully that’s all it will take. Thanks

tjbrowder · Jan 25, 2021

ZPW54 said:
ironically my post is below, and everyone has been helpful to show me your post. My issue is exactly the same, anything over a 20 minute drive and the light comes on. I do have the drivetrain display on the dash and noticed anything more then 2 degrees of steering, the axles flash yellow. No binding or issues steering.

Not the 75th edition but in granite.
Anyone have issues with their axle locker system? Recently upgraded from my 2004 2500 to a 2021 Power Wagon and in less then 200 miles I’m getting a service axle locker system. Never used the axle locker or 4WD. Truck is already back at the dealership, now my concern is if they have to go into the diff., there’s a chance of premature rust wherever they loosen bolts.

Finally took mine to the dealership today. As usual, service light came on about twenty minutes into my drive. As I was almost to the dealership, the light went out. Then, back on again as I was pulling in.

Service writer took good notes....so we shall see.

Since you are having the same issue with your new truck, I wonder if Ram got a hold of a bad batch of parts.

Please keep me posted on what they find with yours.....I will do the same.

ZPW54 · Jan 26, 2021

Just heard back from the service department. It is the actuator, waiting for the part, which as of right now isn’t available until mid February .

Hopefully it will be sooner.

tjbrowder · Jan 26, 2021

ZPW54 said:
Just heard back from the service department. It is the actuator, waiting for the part, which as of right now isn’t available until mid February .

Hopefully it will be sooner.

Wow!!! Mid February? Are they going to keep the truck until then, or are you going to pick it up and take it back once they have the part?

ZPW54 · Jan 26, 2021

Giving them a chance to expedite the part first. But I don’t want to leave the truck there until February.

ZPW54 · Jan 26, 2021

3 week lead time for part. Picking up the truck until part comes in. Won’t have the use of the axle locker, but there’s no snow or planned off roading in that time frame so I should be good.

tjbrowder · Jan 26, 2021

ZPW54 said:
3 week lead time for part. Picking up the truck until part comes in. Won’t have the use of the axle locker, but there’s no snow or planned off roading in that time frame so I should be good.

Thanks for the update

Wags 1775 · Jan 26, 2021

RamCares said:
Hi @tjbrowder ! Sorry to hear about that. It would be a wise decision to set up an appointment with your local Ram dealer since they are best equipped to properly diagnose your concerns. However, if you'd like any additional support while working alongside your dealer, please feel free to send our RamCares team a private message! We'd be happy to look into it further for you.

Courtney
Ram Cares

2021 Ram 1500 Rebel that I've owned for 16 days, currently with less than 700 miles. and I have the exact same issue - almost exactly as described by OP. Parts will take 5 days to come in and will likely take another day or two to complete repairs. Scanning multiple forums, this seems to be a persistent problem over the past two model years - also finding the same problem in Jeeps. I'm now concerned that I made a mistake by buying a Ram after exclusively owning Ford trucks for the past 21 years.

Questions for long time Ram owners based on your past experience: Do you expect Ram to address this issue, i.e. investigate the persistent cause and provide a long term fix? If these problems persist after warranties expire, would you expect Ram continue to support owners or shift expenses to the owner? If, based on past experience, there are indications that Ram will simply replace bad sensors with bad sensors until warranties expire, I may need to find a different option.

Overlander · Jan 26, 2021

Wait... you've owned Fords and are doubting you choice because of a problem covered under warranty? ;-)

IRSmart · Jan 26, 2021

B Mitty said:
I agree for me.

But I think if your going full out off road build, lift etc 37inch tires etc the in your face bed decal is awesome.

You called?

Wags 1775 · Jan 26, 2021

Overlander said:
Wait... you've owned Fords and are doubting you choice because of a problem covered under warranty? ;-)

Doubting choice over a persistent drive train issue across 2 model years and 2 makes (Ram and Jeep) - absolutely yes.

But I get the jab. Touche. I loved my Fords - I really want to love this Rebel - not starting off so good.

Overlander · Jan 26, 2021

A locker actuator is a pretty simple swap out, but I get the frustration especially with a new vehicle and when parts are delayed. I'd be frustrated too.

I'm curious if this is actually a locker actuator issue or if that's just what the book says to fix. That it comes on without actuation sounds like a loose connection somewhere.

tjbrowder · Jan 26, 2021

Overlander said:
A locker actuator is a pretty simple swap out, but I get the frustration especially with a new vehicle and when parts are delayed. I'd be frustrated too.

I'm curious if this is actually a locker actuator issue or if that's just what the book says to fix. That it comes on without actuation sounds like a loose connection somewhere.

One morning, I took the truck to a dirt road close to the house. This was a very short drive, so the service light had not come on yet.

I dropped the truck into 4LO, and actuated the lockers on and off again repeatedly. I must have cycled the lockers a good 10 times....they locked and unlocked perfectly. No issues whatsoever.

Put the truck back into 2HI to head back home, and a couple minutes later, the service light popped on.

I guess what I am getting to is this.....if the actuator were bad, would it not engage the lockers no matter if the truck were driven five feet much less twenty miles? It really seems that the issue doesn’t show itself until the drive train gets some heat into it.

Has anyone had an actuator replaced that simply did not work no matter hot or cold drive train, or is the case I present common...the trucks needs to be on the road for a bit?

Overlander · Jan 26, 2021

Having not held an actuator in my hand, my guess is that he actuator is both a motor and a switch. The motor moves the engagement and the switch reports back to the controller module. It's the latter that seems to be failing. The computer receives an implausible signal and reports failure, though not necessarily a mechanical failure. The question is whether it's failing at the harness connection, inside the actuator itself, or at some other point.

tjbrowder · Jan 26, 2021

Overlander said:
Having not held an actuator in my hand, my guess is that he actuator is both a motor and a switch. The motor moves the engagement and the switch reports back to the controller module. It's the latter that seems to be failing. The computer receives an implausible signal and reports failure, though not necessarily a mechanical failure. The question is whether it's failing at the harness connection, inside the actuator itself, or at some other point.

Thanks.....appreciate your insight

2021 75th PW...Locker Problem

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