'19 PowerWagon - New Rear Axle?? - Service Axle Locker System Thread

Friends;
Apologies for covering this topic in what appears to be another thread. I searched and found several threads, including this and read through them. But... didn't find anything exactly similar. I need some input and I appreciate your knowledge.

"Service Axle Locker" message the scanned code "FDCM, C144A, Active, Rear Differential Return Control Circuit Low"

Dealer says they need to replace the rear axle assembly. This is a $10,000 replacement on my truck with 75000 miles.

RAM customer care is involved (and apparently concurs with dealer's assessment) and is working with me somewhat But...

I'm a bit incredulous the entire rear axle assembly needs replaced. Does that sound right?


Other details:

75000 miles. Warranty expired at 60k
Diff oil changed at recommended service intervals, but not by me.

Well... I don't know if there's no interest or - being my first post - folks think it's a gag.

For anyone who might be, after digging and a long thread on another forum i went elsewhere for a second opinion. Consensus seems to be the first place (service dept at a RAM dealer) didn't have any techs comfortable replacing the actuator in the differential, and so went the route of recommending replacement of the entire axle assembly to the tune of about $10,000. This was Lithia of College Station, TX. Doubly concerning was / is RAM customer care's willingness to go along with the farce.

I'll not be returning there.

buy a new one yourself. simple install as just plug and play for a lot less money.

Tell them to go f! Off. Or say sure. They can replace the axle but your only paying for the actuator lol. That’s just lazy and a blatant rip off.

I've seen what appears to be RAM cust care posting here. I'm curious about their take if they happen to see this. @RamCares

.... and where did $8500 for an entire axle assembly come from???

buy the actuator its 400bucks. shop probly charge 400 to put it in

Totally agree with crazy Jerry. It’s like a 3-4 hour job.

That axle must be made of Gold if the dealer wants 10K for it, you can get a much better axle for that kind of money. The stock replacement axle does not cost 10K, your dealer sucks.

I purchased a new 2022 Power Wagon the other day. I live in Maine, my driveway is snowy and icy, and of tye 4 or 5 times I tried to use the rear locker, I get a "service differential locker system" message (or something similar to that). It has never worked when I turned it on at a dead stop, and the truck only has 160 miles on it. Yes, 160!!!!

AH-64MTP said:

I purchased a new 2022 Power Wagon the other day. I live in Maine, my driveway is snowy and icy, and of tye 4 or 5 times I tried to use the rear locker, I get a "service differential locker system" message (or something similar to that). It has never worked when I turned it on at a dead stop, and the truck only has 160 miles on it. Yes, 160!!!!

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I traded a 2019 Powerstroke Superduty, Lariat, Crew, 4x4, etc etc for it. Already regretting my decision.

AH-64MTP said:

I purchased a new 2022 Power Wagon the other day. I live in Maine, my driveway is snowy and icy, and of tye 4 or 5 times I tried to use the rear locker, I get a "service differential locker system" message (or something similar to that). It has never worked when I turned it on at a dead stop, and the truck only has 160 miles on it. Yes, 160!!!!

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Have you tried a slow roll under 3 MPH like the manual suggests? IT most likely will not lock completely at a dead stop, I've owned 2 PowerWagons an neither did that, always needed a little forward or back movement to get them locked. Thats whats recommended in the manual also

I have a bad actuator on a 22 PW getting replaced under warranty tomorrow.

AH-64MTP said:

I purchased a new 2022 Power Wagon the other day. I live in Maine, my driveway is snowy and icy, and of tye 4 or 5 times I tried to use the rear locker, I get a "service differential locker system" message (or something similar to that). It has never worked when I turned it on at a dead stop, and the truck only has 160 miles on it. Yes, 160!!!!

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Some times you have to do figure 8s for it to engage. That is normally for older rigs that do not ever use them.
you should also trying using front lockers and disconnects too on a monthly basis.

Trailmaker said:

Some times you have to do figure 8s for it to engage. That is normally for older rigs that do not ever use them.
you should also trying using front lockers and disconnects too on a monthly basis.

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Hes getting messages and codes…thats a bit more than the lockers just not engaging (like they are prone to doing).

olyelr said:

Hes getting messages and codes…thats a bit more than the lockers just not engaging (like they are prone to doing).

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Oh. In that case. OP, do donuts!!!

This is one of those messed up threads where the OP ghosted and never reported the outcome.

Now we have a new poster, with a completely different truck and issue, who’s not-so-secretly in love with his ex. He’s got a brand new truck, so all he’s really here for is to vent.

Followed by P3, who’s getting a solution.

I guess I may as well mention the rear locker in my 2019 would sometimes act up and fail to disengage the sensor. It got better after I changed the oil and cleaned the magnet.

Welcome to “Daze of our Lockers”, brought to you by dazzle dish detergent. And now back to our program.

Travelin Ram said:

This is one of those messed up threads where the OP ghosted and never reported the outcome.

Now we have a new poster, with a completely different truck and issue, who’s not-so-secretly in love with his ex. He’s got a brand new truck, so all he’s really here for is to vent.

Followed by P3, who’s getting a solution.

I guess I may as well mention the rear locker in my 2019 would sometimes act up and fail to disengage the sensor. It got better after I changed the oil and cleaned the magnet.

Welcome to “Daze of our Lockers”, brought to you by dazzle dish detergent. And now back to our program.

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Got a good chuckle out this post. So true!

But some comments on the previous old replies simply for people searching this issue in the future:
- I would definitely question the need to replace the entire axle for this issue, regardless of the fact they quoted $10k for it! From my experience it's not unusual to simply have a bad wire or connector to cause this type of code and issue. Many "mechanics" are now just "parts changers" and like to fire the parts cannon at stuff and either don't have the knowledge or don't want to take the time to do basic diagnosis. I mean it doesn't take much effort to simply check for power, ground, and a control signal at the actuator for a "professional" mechanic.
- Sometimes hard to distinguish if the poster actually has a true ongoing issue or not, especially when the "ghost" the post and don't follow up or answer any questions. Were they doing something wrong and thus causing the codes to come on? I've personally seem somebody claim the axles wouldn't lock and codes were coming up, but after some investigation they were turning the know to the front and rear axle lock position and if they didn't activate (light come on) in literally 1 second they would turn the knob back to unlock, and then immediately turn it back to front and rear lock, and keep going back and forth.

seems most people havent a clue how the locker works. two dog rings and the teeth have to drop in the valley of the other ring. very unlikely they will lock if the truck is stopped as theres very little chance the teeth and valleys are aligned. driving and turning is usually required. also i think theres a airgap range on the contacts. plus you have the computer in control of it all. if theres something it doesnt like then probly it wont give the command.
hard wire them or bypass the computer another way

akguy09 said:

Have you tried a slow roll under 3 MPH like the manual suggests? IT most likely will not lock completely at a dead stop, I've owned 2 PowerWagons an neither did that, always needed a little forward or back movement to get them locked. Thats whats recommended in the manual also

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I have tried l/r turns, slow roll fwd, back, straight ahead and back, a little turn of the wheel both directions. I've tried rear diff lock many times and only 2 out of 10 times has it worked in both 2WD and 4WD, and the lock "both front and rear" in 4Low has never worked. I've tried everything I could to get them to work, thinking if I was successful, maybe a little actuation of the lockers would "loosen things up."

I have an appt at Dealership tomorrow. This is not what I expected from a brand new truck with 150 miles. I live in rural Maine, bought the truck for cutting wood, hunting, hauling boats, I work outside year round. Very disappointed so far. I REALLY hope I don't get ****** around at the service dept tomorrow.

AH-64MTP said:

I have tried l/r turns, slow roll fwd, back, straight ahead and back, a little turn of the wheel both directions. I've tried rear diff lock many times and only 2 out of 10 times has it worked in both 2WD and 4WD, and the lock "both front and rear" in 4Low has never worked. I've tried everything I could to get them to work, thinking if I was successful, maybe a little actuation of the lockers would "loosen things up."

I have an appt at Dealership tomorrow. This is not what I expected from a brand new truck with 150 miles. I live in rural Maine, bought the truck for cutting wood, hunting, hauling boats, I work outside year round. Very disappointed so far. I REALLY hope I don't get ****** around at the service dept tomorrow.

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Definitely understand your frustration. As said in a previous comment if you are getting warning lights and codes on top of it simply not working that is an issue. I see lots of posts about simply delayed engagements and having to do a slow roll or slight turn, but a code popping up is another thing. While I think a lot of posts about locker issues may not be an actual issue with people not understanding how it works or realizing it may take a short amount of time, if you have tried all the techniques and getting warning lights that indicates a true issue.
I have a '16 PW that I bought in 2019 and have never had any real issues with the lockers engaging. Usually after rotating the knob and driving forward slightly it locks up.