1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo from North America - Comments

I have also had this 4wd switch problem. what i did was put the trans in N. N transfer case then 4L then 1st gear and went forward a couple feet. then N on the transmission then rev while still in 4L. then putting the trans back in N then the transfercase going from 4L N then Full time 4wd then putting the trans back in 1st creeping about 2ft then R 2 feet, shut the jeep off then restarted it and it hasent come back on since. i dont know if that would work for others. also disconnecting the battery but that was after i "fixed" the 4wd switch problem

I own a 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee with approximately 165,000 miles. I started receiving the "check 4 wheel drive switch" message in October 2007. It was intermittent for a few days and I decided to play it safe and bring it to the local dealership. They called me up a few hours later and started to reel off a myriad of cracks and leaks they found. To fix all the problems they quoted me a price just over $5,000 before taxes. I was not about to sink that kind of money into a 12 year old vehicle, so I asked them to just top off all the fluids that they said were leaking. I would still get the message very intermittently and it would go away within a minute, until the past few days where when it comes on, it stays on for quite some time. I have not noticed any difference in the feel when it is on and when it is not, so I'm guessing it's OK. Does anyone know what happens if the switch is actually bad and does go? Thanks.

I have a '94 Grand Cherokee Laredo with 207,000 miles. I get the "Svc 4WD switch" message sporadically. If I am quick enough and tap on the VIC, it goes away for a while. Some have said it is more likely to occur when you go over a bump. I haven't noticed that.

Here is what one Jeep owner wrote on another forum on 4/12/2007: -----------------------

"Re: service 4wd switch.

The 4wd switch is an appendix of the sport model. The VIC (vehicle information center) is also from the sport 2wd 4wd. The switch tells you that you are in 2wd or 4wd, even though you know that you have a full time 4wd. The switch was kept in place even though the unit was a 4wd. Easier to keep them in place than have to change them both out. They could last a long time. Mine 47,0000 miles. Question... what wires do I cut? That is my question. Note: I have had this alarm for more than 5 Mo. your trans. will not fallout from underneath you."

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Another person describes the disconnection of the sensor switch from the transfer case. Still another stated that it might also signal a low fluid situation in the transfer case, so check the fluid level before you disconnect the switch.

I was just wondering about this light problem, because I have a jeep, and I'm wondering whether it says specifically check 4x4 or whether it's just the check engine light, b/c my check engine light won't go off, not matter what, but I don't have your specific light, so just wondering.

I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited, and it will not come out of 4wd all time and into N. Why won't it?

I had an interesting dilemma relative to the 4 WD Switch light and beep on my 1995 Jeep GC (200,000 miles plus). I fixed the warning light by unplugging the 4 WD switch above the transfer case of the vehicle. No more abnoxious light and beep. However, immediately after unplugging this switch unbeknowest to me, I created a very expensive goose chase because of that simple remedy. The Jeep wouldn't start. After a new fuel pump, new crank sensor, and numerous trips back to the mechanic the problem was never fixed. While under the jeep last night to reattach my transfer case lever I decided to plug the 4 WD switch back in. You guessed it, the starting problem was fixed. And as of yet no lights or beeps. With these new fangled computers and electronics I guess anything is possible.

I too had this problem with the VIC telling me I needed to service the 4X4 switch. After checking the transfer case fluid to be full, I pulled the wire harness off the back of the Vehicle Info Center by easily popping off the center consul trim first 6 screws and 2 snaps (2 behind the ashtray).There are two plugs that go into the VIC and just upstream of those plugs are two quick disconnect connections. Disconnected the one that has two wires going into it and No more annoying warning page or chime. Jeep starts and runs just fine!

Chuck.

I have a 95 Grand Cherokee Limited. I am having the same problem, the 4wd switch warning light is on continuously. There is one difference, my Grand Cherokee is a 2WD. Has anyone with a 2WD seen this warning? Any ideas on how to turn it off?

I have a 1995 Grand Jeep Laredo, and yes, mine does the 4x4 switch error as well off and on. Now the only thing that concerns me is that whole the transmission is shifting fine, when I stop at a red light then proceed on green, it seems to hesitate as if you are pulling forward, then run normally at about 15-20mph. Not sure if that's a solenoid issue, or bad gas. I use regular and switch to premium. Anyone have any ideas?

I also have the service 4wd switch on my 94 Laredo. To solve this I just simply removed the speaker from underneath the steering column. No this may not be the best solution, but it works; no more annoying beep every few minutes.

To save all a headache, I had the same problem with my 95 Jeep Grand Cherokee. It is an all time 4x4, so mine may work different than others.

I had the same "service 4x4 switch" message. I had the 4 wheel drive switch replaced, and it did not go away. Also my Vic was reporting that a door was open when it was not. I swapped the door switch from another door in the car and it still did not go away. The problem is with the VIC. Something loose or a circuit board gone bad.

Sometimes you will be lucky enough to find one on Ebay like I did. I changed out the old Vic and presto I had no more problems. Also try searching a salvage yard. A new one will cost you around $700, which is ridiculous. I believe in companies making a profit, but tripling or more over the manufacturing cost should be illegal. More cars on the road would run better if the owners could actually afford to keep their cars in good working order. If you are an electronically savvy person, open up the VIC and see what you can figure out, then post your findings to help out others.

Also another tip, you can disconnect the wires plugged into the 4x4 indicator switch located at the top of the front differential. This may stop the warning. All that switch on an all time 4x4 does is indicate on the Vic that the car is in 4x4 low if 4x4 low is engaged. It shouldn't affect you actually being able to change from high or low by using the lever. Your best bet is to first investigate by buying the switch, it could be bad. Save your receipt so that you may return it if it does not correct the problem. Then try crawling under the car and check that the wiring is not damaged. Check to see if the connectors are clean. If not, clean them then plug it back in and check the Vic display.

If that doesn't work, remove the wood grain plastic paneling in the center of your dash. There are four screws at the top and bottom holding it in place. Once you remove that then you will find the screws holding the Vic in place. You will then be able to slide the Vic out. Check to see if the wiring harnesses are fully plugged in and are clean. If none of this works, try to find a a used Vic on Ebay or at a junkyard. Please note that they may not work right either, so before you buy see if they have a return policy. Or buy a new one from the dealer.