Skip to content
Gold Hills Posse 4×4 Club · Folsom, CA

Jeep check engine light

  1. Brian Member Joined: February 2020
    #131 Mar 2017, 10:27 AM

    So for some time now I have had my sway bar lights and esp/ trac come on sometimes when I hit bumps.

    Well today those came on and an oil light, little red dot and about everything else you can imagine. And the check engine lot. I stopped and restarted jeep. Everything went off except check engine light. Codes are U0141: lost communication with front control module tipm   and u0168: lost communication with vehicle security control module WCM.

    Google says maybe my e sway bar motor is fried and shorting stuff out. Jeep still starts so idk.

    Thoughts?

    W6JLU
  2. JohnDF Subscriber
    #231 Mar 2017, 11:49 PM

    I've read about that happening to other JKs. Seems water gets inside and shorts the disconnect motor. That turns your dash into a Christmas tree with lots of pretty lights.

    I used to wheel a lot. . .
  3. k-jeep Member Joined: May 2009
    #31 Apr 2017, 2:31 AM

    I say it's time for a 4-door! 😀

  4. Brian started this Member Joined: February 2020
    #42 Apr 2017, 1:49 AM

    Well the light has been out for a day now. I checked all battery connections/ grounds in the jeep and the sway bar motor. Everything looks very clean and secure.

    I think it may be the tipm (has all the fuses) itself. Known issue apparently. I will continue to watch for the check engine light.

    W6JLU
  5. JohnDF Subscriber
    #52 Apr 2017, 2:42 AM
    k-jeep said I say it's time for a 4-door! 😀  

    You're right, my 4-door doesn't have any dash lights on... Just sayin' 🙂

    I used to wheel a lot. . .
  6. kris_olof Trailmaster Joined: October 2015
    #63 Apr 2017, 3:57 AM

    If you undo the 6 screws holding the circuit board into the disconnect housing and pull it apart, I bet you find a bunch of muddy water.  (has happened to 2 of my buddies with 08s who are only mall crawlers)  It might be another issue but the odds are very likely that it is the swaybar disconnect.  The circuit board in the disconnect is ungodly complex for the simple job it has, leading to all sorts of issues with the main computer if it fails.

    Both of my buddies with 08s did cheap knob replacements.  Evo has one for about $100 or has a pneumatic version for $250.  And an AEV procal will allow you to turn off the swaybar disconnect light on the dash.

  7. JohnDF Subscriber
    #73 Apr 2017, 4:07 AM
    kris_olof said Both of my buddies with 08s did cheap knob replacements.  Evo has one for about $100 or has a pneumatic version for $250.  And an AEV procal will allow you to turn off the swaybar disconnect light on the dash.  

    Good info for future reference if I ever have to deal with this issue. Thx

    I used to wheel a lot. . .
  8. Brian started this Member Joined: February 2020
    #83 Apr 2017, 11:56 AM
    kris_olof said If you undo the 6 screws holding the circuit board into the disconnect housing and pull it apart, I bet you find a bunch of muddy water.  (has happened to 2 of my buddies with 08s who are only mall crawlers)  It might be another issue but the odds are very likely that it is the swaybar disconnect.  The circuit board in the disconnect is ungodly complex for the simple job it has, leading to all sorts of issues with the main computer if it fails. Both of my buddies with 08s did cheap knob replacements.  Evo has one for about $100 or has a pneumatic version for $250.  And an AEV procal will allow you to turn off the swaybar disconnect light on the dash.  

    Which 6 screws are you referring to?

    W6JLU
  9. Brian started this Member Joined: February 2020
    #93 Apr 2017, 12:13 PM
    IMG_0492.JPGIMG_0493.JPGIMG_0495.JPG

    All of these were super clean. Inside the smartbar I assume is where the board is. ?

    • IMG_0492.JPG
    • IMG_0493.JPG
    • IMG_0495.JPG
    W6JLU
  10. Mike G Member Joined: October 2016
    #103 Apr 2017, 1:23 PM

    To think I never have to deal with this cause I have to manually disconnect mine by hand. Some times simple is easier some times it's not... Just saying.

    Hope you get your problem fixed

    Mike G
  11. BKGM Jeepers President Joined: June 2003
    #113 Apr 2017, 3:14 PM

    I've run my e sway disconnect for 9 years and no problems.

    Kathleen and Brad
  12. kris_olof Trailmaster Joined: October 2015
    #124 Apr 2017, 6:44 AM
    Brian said IMG_0493.JPG All of these were super clean. Inside the smartbar I assume is where the board is. ?  

    Yes. It looks like they used rivets on yours.  Since you have it out, plug the unit in but leave it unbolted from the disconnect.  In 4low have someone click the swaybar button and see if the actuator is moving.  If the motor is working, the actuator will slide about 1 inch in and out.

    If the motor isnt working then you found your issue and it is inside that unit.  If the motor is working but doesnt actuate when bolted up then the issue is in the shift collar housing.

  13. Brian started this Member Joined: February 2020
    #135 Apr 2017, 1:19 PM
    kris_olof said

    Yes. It looks like they used rivets on yours.  Since you have it out, plug the unit in but leave it unbolted from the disconnect.  In 4low have someone click the swaybar button and see if the actuator is moving.  If the motor is working, the actuator will slide about 1 inch in and out.

    If the motor isnt working then you found your issue and it is inside that unit.  If the motor is working but doesnt actuate when bolted up then the issue is in the shift collar housing.  

    Ah I had already put it back together. I'll check it out

    W6JLU

Sign in to post here.