Well folks as I promised I would leave word on the results
of my draining and changeing the fluid in my transfer case.
Was a waste of time. hadn't driven over five miles and the
4x4 service switch light and chimes came on again...
So don't waste your time with this procedure. I am going
to continue looking for answers until I get it right, and
once again will post it here.
Thanks for reading.
L avery pekin il.
My nephew just bought a 96' Grand Cherokee with 105k miles on it. He just told me that it said "Service 4 Wheel Drive Switch" on the computer screen. He of course has shifted all through the 4 wheel options and they all work, but the warning error still comes up.
I was researching this problem, and it seems as though a lot of people have the same issue. His Jeep has the digital read out and not the display with the picture of your Jeep in white. So this tells me that the issue is not in the computer unit itself, since two different computer types have the same error issue.
Also by process of elimination, replacing the switch does not seem to work for anyone, nor does replacing the fluids. The problem has to be in the wiring from the switch to the control PCB, or where ever the wires go.
I have been working on Jeeps for quite some time, but have not done much to Grand Cherokees. The problem with taking the Jeep to the dealer is that the dealer technicians are only going to go so far to diagnose the problem. They are trained to replace parts and follow what their computer tells them to do, and tells them what is wrong.
I am an electronics engineer, and I am going to stick my neck out here, and say that I will do my very best to find out what is going on with this issue, and then post it on the web and back on here as well. I will keep you posted on what I find.
I am going to start by getting the wiring schematic and go from there. I will probably start at the switch itself, and trace the problem to its source. Wish me luck! Sounds like I might have a better chance winning the lottery! Just kidding. We will figure it out... Or go crazy trying!
I too own a 1994 Grand Cherokee Laredo with 203,000+ miles on it. I have been getting the "Service 4WD switch" message for about a week now on the digital display. It is very comforting to see the comments on this site and detect a common thread -- mostly '94-'96 Jeeps (many GC's) around or over 200K miles. It seems that as of right now (9/12/2007) noone knows for sure what causes the problem or how to fix it. I guess I'll keep ignoring it (it comes on sporadically, not all the time) and keep checking back to see if anyone comes up with a fix.
I just bought my son a 1994 Grand Cherokee Laredo with 94k miles. Loving it so far. However, despite all efforts, the display will read that "coolant is low " Anyone else have this issue?
Well, I have a Laredo 94 with 320,000 miles. This Switch service appeared yesterday when I hit a bump. It comes on then goes off. I have had many problems with the Jeep and this just adds to the frustration. As far as the low colant light I recommend checking the colant sensor. My biggest unsolved issue is my backup lights that don't work. But after a ear of dealing with it I have gotten used to backing up really SLOW!!! I wonder what happened to the electrical experiment guy...
I own a 1994 jeep cherokee laredo and that service 4 wheel drive switch is driving me crazy. I am to take it on Monday to have it put on the dyno. to have it checked. It is 4wheel all time and I have noticed a unusual feel with the pull of the jeep since this switch has started displaying. I am lost at what to do and am a little nervous of long distance driving.184,000 miles. Would love some feed back.
Okay, I don't own a Jeep, I own a 2001 Dodge Durango and I am having the same problem with my service 4 wheel drive light on. But since that light has come on, the radio switch on the back of my steering wheel wont work, and also the back windshield wiper won't work. Just so you know not just Jeeps are having this trouble; so are Durangos. It drives me crazy; also it actually quit beeping, but the light stays on all the time unless I unhook the battery; then it stays off for a little while, but eventually comes right back on.....
I have a 1995 Grand Cherokee Limited, 6 cylinder with 230,000 miles on it. Two months ago I too started getting the alarm on my display to "check 4-wheel drive switch", and it has never stopped. I am also going CRAZY trying to find a solution to this. Are there any high up Jeep management people out there that can give us some relief here? When you own a Jeep, you want to own one for life, so please direct us to a answer! Will someone bring this up at their daily Jeep engineering meeting so current and potential Jeep buyers will stick with a Jeep!
I have 2 grand Cherokees 93 (200,000) and 94 (100,000). Both have the 4wheel drive alarm come on. When the 93 started in I sprayed WD40 down the (hi-lo shifter) shaft because I could barely move it. That made the light go away for about a year and now it is back again and and I tried the same approach, but didn't work this time, but have gotten used to it as it comes and goes. The wife's 94 just started in. I am going to WD40 both of them again and see if that works. Also mine (94) says the back tail light is out, but it isn't nor are any of the rear lights out including side/rear marker lights of any kind or backup lights so don't know if that has any correlation or not. In my years as an electronics engineer I would say that the problem is age/corrosion and is possible not even in the 4wheel area, but maybe something that correlates to it somehow. Obviously I ignore it and keep on plowing with the 93 and have no problems of any kind with either jeep other than that and not afraid to take on a long haul. In fact I did take it on a long haul and it started in beeping and displaying the message and went away after the car warmed up about 15 minutes later not to return again for entire trip, but it is back again when started cold...
I also own a 1994 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Although I have not had the 4 wheel drive warning, I get a persistent bad coolant sensor warning. I ended up buying my wife another car because of it and now drive the jeep. In the research I have done it appears that fault is triggered by corrosion at the connection on the display. People have gotten the errors to stop by disconnecting the connector and spraying contact cleaner on it. I have not performed this operation yet, but may try it this weekend. I spent last weekend replacing the input and output shaft seals on the transmission and transfer case so a little in car work should be easy. Right?
Like everyone else, I too am a proud owner of a 1995 Jeep GC Limited. Vehicle has about 175,000 miles on it. I am also having problems with the VIC displaying messages and beeping. Sounds like it is starting to play Jingle Bells. Telling me to Service 4 WD Switch, rear lights out (which they are not) It also starts the date and time back to January 1 once in a while. I noted that this happens occasionally when the vehicle is started. Would love to fix this problem. Recently the speedometer only works when it wants to and temp gauge stopped working completely. I love my Jeep. Would appreciate it anyone could tell me how to correct the problem.
Hi I'm a proud owner of a 1994 GC., I read all your comments about "4WD Service Switch"... I have the same problem, today I clean with WD40 the switch... Nothing happens. For all the comments that I read, If I spend some money on the switch nothing will happen... so somebody please help us!.. God Bless America and the jeeps too!..
More information on the 4WD Switch:
http://www.automotiveforums.com/vbulletin/t119880.html
My son has a 1995 Jeep grand Cherokee with the same problem of "service 4 wheel drive" warning going off. I see it is quite common and I am looking forward to seeing if the experimental guy is having any luck. It makes sense that it would be wiring some where. We have had no luck with anyone to fix this at any garage! I think the person who took apart their display is maybe on the right track.
Also, for the windows that work with slamming the doors? Our Jeep has broken wires in the harness going into the drivers door. One main one keeps breaking and as I look at the rest, they all have cracks in the coating and look like they need replacement. Does anyone know if we can get a new harness anymore? Please post if you know anything on this.
Hey JGC owners. My son has the V8 and usually gets 12 mpg consistantly...besides a lighter foot and tires filled properly, are there any simple add-ons to instal that will improve gas mileage?