4WD indecator light?

[wesley4x4]

so i know this is a stupid tech question but i just wanted your opinion on a fix for this before i go ripping everything apart.

OK, so my gauge cluster i noticed today has 2 4WD lights (im guessing hi/low) but they don't work... so after 20 min of beating the 4WD shifter around trying to see if i could get them to trip they wouldn't. thinking maybe the bulb is burnt out i was going to just replace it (was not really thrilled about) but i remembered if you just turn the key to ACC it lights up all the lights... so i tried that they still didn't turn on but neither did my shift light (witch i know works) idk stupid question but just want to know if you guys definitely think its the bulb or maybe i have to take apart the center console and look for the wires...

(anyone know how hard it is to change cluster lights if it is the light?)

[Kurt]

For starters... what kind of Jeep is it?
YJ, TJ, XJ,...?

[wesley4x4]

oh woops 1999 2.5L Jeep Wrangler TJ (manual) 95,000 miles and the color green

[Kurt]

Oh... it's a green one. That's what I needed to know!

The usual issue is the 4WD sensor (switch) on the tcase fails.
It's a simple replacement. Just unplug the harness, unscrew it from the tcase and screw a new one in and re-connect the harness.

You can verify if it's the switch by unplugging the harness from the switch on the tcase and then short the two pins in the wire harness together. (Use a paper clip or short piece of wire) Then turn the key to RUN.
If the 4WD light illuminates the switch on the tcase is bad and needs replacing.

[Kurt]

If it turns out the bulb is bad you'll have to pull the gauge cluster out of the dash to replace the bulb.

[Kurt]

Here are the full details from the FSM.

FOUR-WHEEL DRIVE INDICATOR LAMP
The diagnosis found here addresses an inoperative
four-wheel drive indicator lamp condition. If the
problem being diagnosed is related to lamp accuracy,
be certain to confirm that the problem is with the
lamp or switch and not with a damaged or inoperative
transfer case or transfer case linkage. Refer to
NV231 Diagnosis in the Diagnosis and Testing section
of Group 21 - Transmission for more information.
If no transfer case problem is found, the
following procedure will help locate a short or open
in the indicator lamp circuit. For complete circuit
diagrams, refer to Instrument Cluster in Group 8W
- Wiring Diagrams.
(1) Check the fused ignition switch output (run/
start) fuse in the fuseblock module. If OK, go to Step
2. If not OK, repair the shorted circuit or component
as required and replace the faulty fuse.
(2) Turn the ignition switch to the On position.
Check for battery voltage at the fused ignition switch
output (run/start) fuse in the fuseblock module. If
OK, go to Step 3. If not OK, repair the open fused
ignition switch output (run/start) circuit to the ignition
switch as required.
(3) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.
Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
Disconnect the transfer case switch wire harness connector.
Check for continuity between the ground circuit
cavity of the transfer case switch wire harness
connector and a good ground. There should be continuity.
If OK, go to Step 4. If not OK, repair the open
ground circuit to ground as required.
(4) Connect the battery negative cable. Turn the
ignition switch to the On position. Install a jumper
wire between the part time four wheel drive indicator
lamp driver circuit cavity of the transfer case switch
wire harness connector and a good ground. The fourwheel
drive indicator lamp should light. If OK,
replace the faulty transfer case switch. If not OK, go
to Step 5.
(5) Turn the ignition switch to the Off position.
Disconnect and isolate the battery negative cable.
Remove the instrument cluster. With the transfer
case switch wire harness connector still disconnected,
check for continuity between the part time four
wheel drive indicator lamp driver circuit cavity of the
instrument cluster wire harness connector B and a
good ground. There should be no continuity. If OK, go
to Step 6. If not OK, repair the shorted part time
four wheel drive indicator lamp driver circuit as
required.
(6) Check for continuity between the part time
four wheel drive indicator lamp driver circuit cavities
of the instrument cluster wire harness connector B
and the transfer case switch wire harness connector.
There should be continuity. If OK, replace the faulty
bulb. If not OK, repair the open part time four wheel
drive indicator lamp driver circuit as required.

[wesley4x4]

THANKS KURT!!! your the bestssssssssssstttttttttt

[johnsxj]

Dec 7, 2009 21:04:22 GMT -5 Kurt said:

Oh... it's a green one. That's what I needed to know!

Most Jeeps might as well be painted green 'cause after all the "green" that gets thrown into them it's the only "green" we'll see

[wesley4x4]

i think if i ever get a Heep instead of using my DD to go wheeling i shall call her the "money pit" ;D

[opie]

I honestly didn't know there was an indicator light on the dash....one more thing to add to the list !!

[ZAEDOCK]

You are fortunate!

The first mod I did to my YJ was pull the bulb from the "shift" indicator light and "4WD" light.

[opie]

On second thought...I think the big lever being in the up position is a pretty good indicator and I'll leave well enough alone.

[Carl McFly]

Dec 8, 2009 10:25:33 GMT -5 opie said:

On second thought...I think the big lever being in the up position is a pretty good indicator and I'll leave well enough alone.

now you're talking! Pretty sure I have the same indicator light. I guess. I don't know, never saw it lit up

[baseshakers]

mine died a few years ago (and yes, my jeep is not even 5 years old). haven't missed it.

[Captian Carnage]

I always wondered why that came on when i was off roading