4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/4WD Switch

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Expert: - 6/20/2005


Question
On my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited this message comes up: "Serivice 4WD Switch". The Jeep is running fine and the message only comes up when the Jeep is first started. It flashes twice and does not reappear until it is restarted. Is this just a suggested mantainance message which is triggered by mileage( I have 160,000 miles) or is there something which needs service?
Thanks

Answer
Roger,

Normally if there is a problem, the associated light should stay on.  I have a 2000 Grand Cherokee, and can't find anything on this light in the manual for my model.  It is possible that the computer is sensing a problem when you start the Jeep, but a true error code should not allow the light to turn off until the problem is corrected.  

I suggest that you purchase a repair, or shop manual for the Jeep.  You can purchase a manufacturer's shop manual for the Jeep, but they are quite expensive, normally costing, around $100.  A Chilton's or a Hayne's manual can be purchased at most auto parts stores for $20, and they have a lot of information on basic trouble shooting, and repairs, along with descriptions of the trouble lights.  These manuals are designed for a year or range of years for specific vehicles, and are invaluable if you are planning on doing any repairs yourself.  I usually purchase one of these manuals for any vehicle that I own.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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