This article will explain what the service 4wd light on a Jeep Grand Cherokee is, why it lights up and how to fix it.
It’s quite simple and easy to fix, but if you don’t know what it means or how to fix it, this article will help.
What Does Service 4WD Light Mean on a Jeep Grand Cherokee?
The service 4wd light on your Jeep Grand Cherokee will come on when there is something wrong with the four-wheel drive system. It’s a warning that can be caused by various situations. It’s important that you know what it means and how to fix it.
Here are some of the most common causes of this problem:
What Causes Service 4WD Light on a Jeep Grand Cherokee?
1. Loose Battery Terminals/Cables
This is probably the most common cause for this fault, overtime the battery terminals on your Grand Cherokee can become loose or corroded, which will cause the 4WD light to come on. If this happens, make sure you tighten the terminals and clean off any corrosion from the battery posts.
If you have trouble with finding the battery in your Jeep Grand Cherokee, we created a guide for the models of the years 2011 or 2012.
2. Broken Transfer case
Your transfer case is damaged or broken. This can happen if you drive off-road with your Jeep Grand Cherokee. The gears inside the transfer case can be damaged by rocks or other sharp objects on the trail. If this happens, you will need to replace it.
3. Bad Battery
The battery may be dead, or it could have been drained by some other electrical component. If the battery is good, you can perform a reset of the system using a jumper cable or another vehicle.
If you haven’t changed the battery on your Grand Cherokee for a while then it’s probably going bad and needs to be replaced (usually last 3-5 years). Learn which battery size to buy for your Jeep Grand Cherokee in our guide.
4. Faulty Transfer Case Motor
The transfer case motor is responsible for engaging the different gears and is a common failure point. If this is the case, you will need to replace it.
5. Faulty Front or Rear Driveshafts
The front and rear driveshafts are responsible for transferring the power from your transmission to the wheels. If your driveshaft is bent, this can cause problems with shifting gears and loss of power while driving. This can happen on rear occasions but is pretty common to Jeepers who often go offroading.
Fault Codes
You can use a OBD2-scanner to read the fault code that is stored in the Transfer Cas Control Module (TCCM). This code gives you a hint what could be the reason for the service 4WD light to come on.
Possible fault codes could be:
| Fault Code | Description |
|---|---|
| P0700 | Transmission Control System Malfunction |
| P0500 | Vehicle Speed Sensor Malfunction |
| P181x | Transfer Case Range Sensor Circuit Malfunction |
| P186x | Transfer Case Control Module (TCCM) Circuit Malfunction |
| P188x | 4WD Control Solenoid Circuit Malfunction |
| C1141 | Transfer Case Shift Motor Circuit Range Sensor Performance |
| C1160 | Transfer Case Shift Motor Circuit |
How to Fix & Reset the Service 4WD Light of Your Jeep Grand Cherokee
The first thing I would advise you to check is the battery connection s. If the battery connections are corroded, clean them up and make sure they are tight.
Also, check the condition of the battery, if it is bad then you to replace it before taking the car in for diagnostics.
If the battery condition is good and the terminals are tightly connected and you still get the “service 4wd light” then chances are the transfer case motor needs to be replaced.
I recommend you go to the nearest Jeep dealership to have this fixed. The best case scenario is that you have a bad connection somewhere in the wiring harness or there is some corrosion on some of your electrical contacts. Sometimes cleaning with an anti-corrosion spray will fix this problem.
The worst case scenario you need a new transfer case motor. This is a costly repair, but it’s still better than having to replace the entire transfer case.
Can I still drive with the service 4WD light on?
If the Service 4WD light illuminates in your vehicle, you might wonder if it’s safe to continue driving. We strongly advise against it. While your car may still be operable, driving with this warning light on can lead to transmission problems and potentially damage the four wheel drive system.
It’s imperative to take your vehicle to a mechanic as soon as possible to diagnose and fix the issue.
Driving with the Service 4WD light on is not recommended due to reduced traction, increased tire wear, and slower emergency response times. Prioritizing the repair of your Jeep is crucial to avoid further complications.
