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Four wheel drive mode failure, four wheel drive mode active even if switch is off

Tiny
DESCHEN
  • MEMBER
  • 2008 JEEP COMPASS
  • 2.4L
  • 4 CYL
  • 4WD
  • MANUAL
  • 134,856 MILES
Edit: videos, axle shaft failure (front to rear).

Hi, I recently hit a road pothole with my vehicle and now I have a problem. I never use four wheel drive mode and the switch was off when I went over the pothole.
Checked four wheel drive drive shaft, it looks like the problem is coming from there.
Before the problem appeared, I knew the four wheel drive was always on because I tested and jacked the front of my vehicle while a friend took in the first gear with a bit of gas. Bad idea.
The drive shaft is rattling and fails every time I drive, the car is hard to move and four wheel drive! Dashboard light signal appears. Shaft fails but try to move the rear wheels for some reasons, I can hear and feel some shaking as I accelerate. I hear some cracking noise from the rear axle and the middle near the transmission.
4WD, ABS, ESP and traction control dash light always on.
The 4WD! Light appears flickering with beep sound after driving for ten seconds or less. The dashboard beeps every five minutes as I drive.
Loud crack noise can be heard at 0:22, 1:03,
(1:34 and 1:39 loud wank and crack noise while braking)
Rattling noise can be heard at 1:09 louder at 1:15


I never use four wheel drive mode and the switch was off when I hit the bump.
Thanks, let me know what you guys think, what is really causing the problem and why ABS, ESP and traction control lights appear?
Two problems? Wheel sensor with a failed shaft?
Video (Click to make bigger)
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Tuesday, May 1st, 2018 AT 11:16 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Good morning.

The first thing I would do is to have the front driveshaft removed and inspected for being bent or damaged. The video was hard to hear anything with the noise.

As far as the light, can you get the codes pulled for the system? That will help us narrow the area of failure.

Roy

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-wheel-speed-sensor-test

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/abs-warning-light-on-easy-repair-guide
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Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018 AT 4:27 AM
Tiny
DESCHEN
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Yes, I am taking the car to a friend's garage today, he got a good computer to plug in.
One thing I know is that there is really a problem with the four wheel drive system.
Before the four wheel drive light appears, the car struggles to activate the four wheel drive mode even if the switch is off. When we light appears, the struggle stops. Very strange.

All the clicking knocking and rattling sounds in the video are from the shafts.
Unlike the video, right now, the sounds are heard right before the four wheel drive light appears. After driving for ten seconds, all the strange noises are gone and only some minor knocking can be heard. The four wheel drive mode seems off and the car drives much more smoothly than before, acceleration, control, everything is better when the four wheel drive light is on after the strange struggle for four wheel drive mode.
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Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018 AT 8:15 AM
Tiny
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Let me know what your guy finds.

Roy
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Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018 AT 10:03 AM
Tiny
DESCHEN
  • MEMBER
  • 13 POSTS
Okay so here is the problem, the four wheel drive mode is always on because a wire somewhere in the left driver front wing is damaged and makes the switch not work, looks like the wire got cut while the four wheel drive mode was on, maybe during a winter season years ago.
The dashboard errors are caused by:
(Code: C1457 AWD OVER TEMPERATURE)
(Code: U0415 IMPLAUSIBLE DATA FROM ABS)
(Code: C102 A ABS REAR LEFT)
and (Code: C1048 REAR LEFT ABS PRESSION)

It seems like the sounds were coming from the rear differential who lost almost all gear oil.
For some reasons, all codes finally disappeared after ten miles, and now the four wheel drive mode is on all the time with strange bucking at low RPM (1200 to 2000 rpm) with difficulty to accelerate.

I found a temporary solution for the four wheel drive mode always on problem and removed the four wheel drive 15 amp fuse from the fuse box (Fuse slot 2).

Now I have to look for a possible bad wire in the front left wing and try to find eventual damage to the rear differential and axles. I will also fill the rear with gear oil and check for leaks.

Thanks! Tell me what you think! :)
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Wednesday, May 2nd, 2018 AT 9:28 PM
Tiny
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I would address the rear differential first. If it is that low in oil, there is most likely damage. That needs to be inspected and repaired before I would pursue the ABS issue. You can drive without ABS but not without a differential.

Roy
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Thursday, May 3rd, 2018 AT 3:42 AM
Tiny
DESCHEN
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Yes, I will check it out as soon as possible. Temporarily fixed the issue by removing the four wheel drive fuse box so there is no more wheel movement in the rear.
Do you think the four wheel drive! C1457 all wheel drive over temperature is caused by low oil?
If so, the noises I was hearing was coming from gear frictions.
It is very strange the the four wheel drive mode works now without any noise, but I will take no chances and disable the mode temporarily as I noticed bucking at low rpm and for the low oil issue.

I will diagnose the rear axles and differential by the time I check the "4x4 Always On" issue.
Hopefully there is no serious damage.

Thanks, will be checking everything this weekend and keep updated.
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Thursday, May 3rd, 2018 AT 6:40 AM
Tiny
DESCHEN
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Four wheel drive is off : The noises are back now for some reasons, coming from the front,
loud crack noises, sounds like someone hitting a rock on a rock every time I brake or accelerate, there is also continuous rattling wink sound on some sharp corners.

I am replacing the parts below:
Both front shocks, strut, and mounts (both are leaking and damaged inside).
Both rear dog bones (causing huge wheel camber and clunks on bumps).
Right passenger side lower control arm (ball joint and bushings are worn).
Not sure yet--> (both front axle shafts with CV joints).

I will check the four wheel drive system problem after I replace the front parts.
Are the front axle shafts faulty?

Deschen.
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Thursday, May 3rd, 2018 AT 10:01 PM
Tiny
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Without hearing the actual noise, it is hard to say. I suspect there is an issue but it must be confirmed to be sure. Look for any damage to the axles.

Roy
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Friday, May 4th, 2018 AT 5:45 AM

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