Service four wheel drive system light comes on when trying trying to put my 05 Grand Cherokee into 4low. It won't go into 4low

600

Asked by Larry Jun 09, 2014 at 12:54 PM about the 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My Jeep feels like its locked in 4 wheel
drive and transfer case or front end aren't
letting it do diff action when moving either
forward or rearward and turning from a
stop. Feels mechanical and electrical both.
Actuator malfuntion or sensor maybe? It
has the Quadra Trac 2 system

27 Answers

1,170

I've got a 08 jeep grand Cherokee overland I was sceptical about the fuse pull when I heard it but when my 4 low would not eng@ge I tried it and it worked so thanks guys

117 people found this helpful.
420

followed your instructions today.. worked for me. Don't know how you found the solution, but THANKS! I just purchased a 2005 JGC with only 51,000 miles - doubt it had ever been put in 4WD low since it left the factory.

42 people found this helpful.
540

I was skeptical about trying the fuse pulling solution, but it worked! Thanks a ton!!!

20 people found this helpful.
540

I might add that I have a 2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited. I bought it last year, it had 75k on it, and I too doubt the 4wd had ever been pulled.

34 people found this helpful.
220

I have a 2008 same problem but on the 08's its fuse 33 next to fire wall pulled fuse drove for 10 min plugged it in and everything is ok . I called Miller Jeep in Springfield and they told me 386.00 to change fluids what a rip off .!!!!!!!!!!!

22 people found this helpful.
200

I have an 08 5.7 with the same problem. 4 wheel low wouldn't engage, dealer wanted a ton for a new "transfer case"... Did the fuse pull (33 firewall box), good as new. Thanks for the post!

20 people found this helpful.
360

Take it to the dealer and have the software updated per Service Bulletin Number 21-022-14. There is no charge as this is covered by the warranty. My Jeep has 134,000 miles and is 11 years old but the warranty still applied. Before this I had paid an independent dealer to try to resolve and had done the fuse removal task and none of it worked. Would have saved a lot of time and money if I had known about the recall but I didn't own the vehicle when the recall was made in July, 2010. Hope this helps.

30 people found this helpful.
110

Great info. I have a 2010 GC that would not go into low after the transfer case motor was replaced. With the above I was able to find the E-DIFF fuse (33) and follow the above instructions. Worked like a charm. Thanks everyone and I hope this additional info helps anyone with a 2010.

11 people found this helpful.
150

2006 jeep grand cherokee , worked on mine too thanks, the update messed mine up and pulling fuse reset the computer thanks so much

15 people found this helpful.
600

I got the fix for this problem from another site. The actuator in front diff gets corroded from not being put in 4low enough so it stays stuck in. Also shortly after the N23 recall was done. Take the #25 fuse (e-diff) out in fuse box under the hood closest to the firewall. The "Service 4wheel Drive System" come on the dash steady. Drive around for abit then put fuse back in with engine running. Shut off engine then restart. My problem was fixed and it goes in and out of 4low now.

37 people found this helpful.
600

I got the fix for this problem from another site. The actuator in front diff gets corroded from not being put in 4low enough so it stays stuck in. Also shortly after the N23 recall was done. Take the #25 fuse (e-diff) out in fuse box under the hood closest to the firewall. The "Service 4wheel Drive System" come on the dash steady. Drive around for abit then put fuse back in with engine running. Shut off engine then restart. My problem was fixed and it goes in and out of 4low now.

23 people found this helpful.
60

Hi I got jeep grand Cherokee 2005 I take the 25 fuse e- diff off and drive about 10 min ,put fuse back and working perfect thanks

6 people found this helpful.
220

The pull fuse thing is only temporary fix ! There is now a recall from the dealer for this issue !

22 people found this helpful.
260

I had a "SERV 4WD" message and an "ESC OFF" light on with no 4 wheel drive (only rear wheel drive) on my 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Loredo. Typically it only came on when the weather was cold with snow... the time I needed my 4 wheel drive to work the most. I troubleshot my issue to a bad transfer case actuator or motor (part number 68071235AC). When I removed the three 8mm bolts and pulled the actuator off, there was a black oil substance leaking from inside the motor. I pulled it apart and the oil like substance was inside the motor (where the windings are). Not sure if this is a "wet" electrical motor or not, but it seemed like a bad thing to me. I replaced the transfer case motor and now it works like a champ. Very easy fix but kinda pricey. Normally the motor with tax is $409.00 but I got mine discounted by the parts counter guy for a grand total of $373.63 with tax here in Denver Colorado area. Hope this helps someone, as I was beating my head against the wall with all the no help internet searches.

26 people found this helpful.
50

i have a 2008 jeep grand cherokee 5.7 hemi my clock spring was bad so . i replaced it when i put my jeep in revese my rear wheels lockup . and code then pops dae /esp

5 people found this helpful.
50

Just bought a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4.7L V8 and pulling the E-DIFF fuse #25 worked for me too. Was worried I would have to take it to the dealer. Pulled it with engine off, started it and drove around the block, put the fuse back in while still running, shut off engine, and then restarted almost immediately. Shifted perfectly into 4 Low. Thanks everyone!

5 people found this helpful.
90

I have the same problem on my 08 GC Overland diesel.. Service 4wd, esp/bas and skid light are on and off for 5 days now... I'll try the fuse pull tonight.

9 people found this helpful.
200

We have a 2012 Jeep Over lander 5.7 Hemi. We are being told that both the front t and rear differential need to be replaced to the tune of 7000.00. They have not even torn the Jeep down. They said they scoped it and took pictures we asked to see the pictures they said they were lost. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks

20 people found this helpful.
120

I have a o6 grand cherokee overland 5.7 hemi i just bought it and the engine light is on the guy told me it was a shift actuator but i got it scanned at auto zone and it said a solenoid it wont go into 4 low and says service 4wheel drive system is this recall still good for this year someone please help thanks

12 people found this helpful.
220

2011 grand cherokee limited In 4wd and won't come out. The automatic 4wd wasn't working and i was sliping all over the place so i put it in 4wd low (big mistake) Bud

22 people found this helpful.
30

I too was a little skeptical of the fuse pull technique. I followed Larry's instructions above and took it one step further, replacing the fuse, as mine had some minor corrosion on the top. 50 cents later my 4wd low light comes on and it engages! Thanks!

3 people found this helpful.
40

Just tried this on my 2008 keep grand Cherokee it was fuse 25 on mine under bonnet worked perfect not had low box since I bought it thought I'd give it a go made up with it took about 4 mins to remedy it

4 people found this helpful.
40

Had the same problem in the UK on my 2010 Grand Cherokee 3.0 diesel. The E Diff fuse is no. 33 on this model. Used your method and it's now working fine - I can put it into 4 Low & the 4 Low light comes on. Thanks for saving me a lot of time & money!

4 people found this helpful.
130

Q/ i have 2012 jeep grand cherokee Service four wheel drive system get off by it self when i driving and give light ( service 4WD light on sometimes ) , but some times no light and became ok , i visited the agent my country he said you need to change the 4wheel motor and computer system of 4 wheel drive it cost around 3500 $ but i dont accept his Solution any body can help me for the right and economy solution

13 people found this helpful.
80

I am having same problem with my 2005 Jeep grand Cherokee 4.7 service four- wheel-drive light is on and the four wheel low activator switch won’t engage ;I jack the truck up put it in drive and stopped all the tires from moving which resulted in both drive shaft stopping so I figured it’s in the transfer case and not the differentials

8 people found this helpful.
100

Hi i have a 08 Jeep grand cherokee crd light comes on Service 4wd when wanting to use it how do you fix thxs.

10 people found this helpful.

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