13th Dec 2008, 14:03

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 console 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. The Jeep starts and runs just fine!

Chuck.

28th Dec 2008, 20:04

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?

29th Apr 2009, 12:52

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?

29th Aug 2009, 00:26

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.

2nd Sep 2009, 13:36

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.

14th Jan 2010, 06:22

You can also pull the VIC out and cut the green & yellow wire. That will get rid of the SVC 4x4 switch beeping.

I "discovered" this after that green/yellow wire had broke on my 94 ZJ.

http://autorepair.about.com/library/images/bl123a-lib.htm

18th Jan 2010, 23:21

I own a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo and guess what? Yes, the "service 4 wheel drive" message is on the VIC along with the horrid beeping. I have had the switch replaced, but it didn't stop the message or beeping.

Recently the VIC stopped working altogether and the date wouldn't set or anything. I had a mechanic look at it, and he replaced the 4 wheel drive switch (which he later called a sensor) in the transfer case, which fixed the VIC and allows the time and date to be set and such though the infernal message and beeping are back. He did tell me that there are two 4 wheel drive switches. One on the differential and one in the transfer case. Both have been replaced on my vehicle, and the mysterious message and beeping still remain.

Does anyone know if I should have both 4 hi and 4 lo when I use the 4 wheel shifter beside the gear shift? I'm only showing 4 lo when I use that. I have all time 4 wheel drive.

14th Feb 2010, 07:59

I have a 94 Grand Limited V-8, and have the 'Service 4WD Switch,' and I've got the 'Coolant Sensor Bad' message. I have heard that a possible cause is that the soldered connections on the back of the VIC can crack... I have went through replacing the switches and sensors, these did not fix the problem as I hoped it would... I am planning on pulling the VIC out and looking at the connections and fixing them if they are cracked. My hopes are high, I will re-post after I tear into it.

23rd May 2010, 15:50

Well this Service 4WD switch alert seems to be nearly universal among JGC owners. My 95 with 136K started a few months back, and like many, I made the $80 to $100 mistake of replacing the switch. It's not a switch problem -- usually. And it's not a fluid low problem -- usually. It's either an intermittent electrical short, or a circuit board problem in the Vehicle Information Center. I am going to try REBOOTING the system by disconnecting the battery for a while and then re-connecting the battery. I'm also going to inspect the wires behind the center section of the dash, and check the connection on the back of the VIN. Someone, someday, is going to figure this one out. In the meantime, removing the "noise maker" from the box under the dash may be a reasonable fix to those who are being driven crazy by the constant beep beep beep.