PW Locker Problem Data Compilation

[JamesgPW]

At 3000 miles on the 2020 odometer, the locking function has been getting better with use. The rear axle is nearly immediate and the front is improving with small "wiggle" turns. No error messages yet.

Have you read the manual for engaging the lockers? For some time I was doing it the wrong way and found out after seeing what the OEM manual says

 

[JamesgPW]

Working as designed at 16,000 miles and with regular difficult trail use (2-3 times per month).

 

[Big Cheddar]

2020 PW. 1,100 Miles. Locked Rear one time almost instant. Rear Usually takes anywhere from 1to 4 Minutes. Front always takes forever. I will be Driving it to Montana in April. I plan on changing the oil in the Diffs before I leave. I just want to drive it a bit more. Also waiting on the Weather to warm some. I confess. I haven't worked them more than 5, or 6 times.

 

[AH-64MTP]

2022, 100 miles, rear will lock most of tue time, sometimes I get an immediate "service locker system" message immediately when selecting on. The both "front and rear" axle lock has never worked. Troubleshooting at dealership tomorrow.

 

[Hendo1685]

2022 Ram PowerWagon - 5000 miles on the truck. I’ve already had my actuator replaced (4500 miles roughly). I’ve driven a couple hundred miles since. And the service locker warning light is back on and the lockers (front and rear) won’t lock. It’s getting prettt annoying!

 

[Dub32]

My 22 PW is at the dealer right now getting actuator replaced at 12,000 miles. Service guy said ram does a poor job with the electrical work.

 

[4xdad]

2015 pw with a Abel bypass my blue driver says code 1452 but it worked last time I used it

 

[62Blazer]

Prior to yesterday there were 43 posts on this thread and maybe 3-4 people that had any type of issues. Since yesterday there are 3 people all with '22 models that are stating issues.

While some people have issues with the lockers I think this thread is a perfect example that shows many "issues" with vehicles are not nearly as common as internet forums make they appear. As stated in an older post most people will only join these forums when they have problems and looking for solutions....everybody will jump on the internet to complain about an issue on every forum they can find, but nobody ever gets on a forum and says "yep, my lockers are working like they should".
Per some charts I found they claim over 25,000 Gen 4 (2010 to 2018) Power Wagons were produced for US and Canada. So if only 1% of those trucks have an locker issue (and I doubt it's that high) you have 250 trucks with issues. Now you have 10% of those people jumping on the internet and making posts, which is 25 posts. If somebody got on this forum for the first time and found 25 people posting about locker issues you would think it was at epidemic proportions and most PW's made had locker issues. However in reality that is 25 out of 25,000 trucks, or 0.1% (one tenth of one percent) that you are hearing about.

 

[HaraldHardrada]

2017 PW
101K Miles
Issue: The lights are flashing on the locker knob once I've been out and driving around for ~15 min.
Diagnosis: Dealer told me they would not be able to fully diagnosis without me buying stuff to try-- for example a $600 sensor, or on the high end they wanted me to buy a whole new rear axle (~ $4k parts alone). I said thanks but no thanks, going to try flushing the fluid and cleaning the magnets first. I cannot fathom why we would need an entirely new axle.... that just seems like gross laziness to avoid fixing whatever the actual root cause is.

 

[HaraldHardrada]

My 22 PW is at the dealer right now getting actuator replaced at 12,000 miles. Service guy said ram does a poor job with the electrical work.

I know you are under warranty, but did they say what it would have cost you out of pocket? My dealer didn't want to attempt fixing the actuator and was trying to talk me into buying an entire axle for ~$4k. Told them to pound sand.

 

[Dub32]

I know you are under warranty, but did they say what it would have cost you out of pocket? My dealer didn't want to attempt fixing the actuator and was trying to talk me into buying an entire axle for ~$4k. Told them to pound sand.

They said once the warranty claim goes through they will let me know. I will update when I find out.

 

[buckeyexx]

2017 PW
101K Miles
Issue: The lights are flashing on the locker knob once I've been out and driving around for ~15 min.
Diagnosis: Dealer told me they would not be able to fully diagnosis without me buying stuff to try-- for example a $600 sensor, or on the high end they wanted me to buy a whole new rear axle (~ $4k parts alone). I said thanks but no thanks, going to try flushing the fluid and cleaning the magnets first. I cannot fathom why we would need an entirely new axle.... that just seems like gross laziness to avoid fixing whatever the actual root cause is.

Try cleaning the connection going to your locker also. Pulling the differential covers and cleaning the magnet is pretty easy process. Also I would find a different dealer wanting to work. It is astonishing the laziness in this world.

 

[Oilbrnr]

Funny how you take a break from reading various Power Wagon forums for a couple of years and then check back. Same threads. Most guys have no clue what the engagement parameters even are for the lockers. 3 mph or less, you don’t say… Regardless, if you have an ’05-18 PW and don’t have an Able Components Locker bypass, (and swaybar disco) for $450, you should. Game changer.

 

[Hendo1685]

2022 PowerWagon 16,000miles. I’ve had issues locking front and rear since buying the truck. One fix was the electrical connector was loose. But with the other times my lockers wouldn’t engage, this was not the problem. It seems everytime I need them they won’t engage. But when I test them (like today right before dropping it off at the dealer) they worked. So I’d say they work 50% of the time (I follow the rules for engaging them - 4WD Low and moving at less than 10mph, turning left and right, and engaging them only on gravel).

Consistently they have never locked in cold weather. Wondering if that’s a thing?

Also, I don’t “exercise them” or use them when not necessary. I will start using them and testing them more to see if that helps with the reliability.

 

[olyelr]

2022 PowerWagon 16,000miles. I’ve had issues locking front and rear since buying the truck. One fix was the electrical connector was loose. But with the other times my lockers wouldn’t engage, this was not the problem. It seems everytime I need them they won’t engage. But when I test them (like today right before dropping it off at the dealer) they worked. So I’d say they work 50% of the time (I follow the rules for engaging them - 4WD Low and moving at less than 10mph, turning left and right, and engaging them only on gravel).

Consistently they have never locked in cold weather. Wondering if that’s a thing?

Also, I don’t “exercise them” or use them when not necessary. I will start using them and testing them more to see if that helps with the reliability.

Imo, just get the bypass and be done with it…instantaneously!

 

[BobWohlers]

Hello Overlander and thanks for this data collection. Good work. At 155,235 miles for my 2018 PowerWagon, I'm getting a blinking light for my front locker. My rear locker continued to work for a while, but then stopped soon after the front locker light began blinking. When the front locker light began blinking, I checked the fluid level and quality in both differentials. The rear differential gear oil was clean with no shavings and no water. The front differential gear oil had no shavings, but it had a bit of water (no doubt due to multiple water crossings over time). FYI, to check the differential gear oil in both axles, I removed the covers to dump the oil and examine the gearing. Things "looked" good. I'm interested in similar problems. Did the differentials have any water in the fluid? Etc. I'm thinking my front axle locker problem could be the Locker Actuator(?) Any thoughts are helpful. Thanks to all. Cheers. [email protected]

 

[TA-PW]

2018 with 95,000kms, bought it with 48,000 on it and lockers were a little slow to engage but not bad and have been 100% since I installed the Able components locker and sway bar bypass system, I highly recommend it, not sure if he’s making them for the new generation yet.

 

[TA-PW]

My 22 PW is at the dealer right now getting actuator replaced at 12,000 miles. Service guy said ram does a poor job with the electrical work.

lol so true! These trucks have some weird electrical gremlins… when I move my power seat it will sometimes change the satellite radio station….