[Drew Whitten]

I have a 2007 Jeep compass 4x4 Sport that I recently purchased that appears to be stuck in 4wd. I would very much appreciate anything anyone could share with me that might help me troubleshoot what I need to replace:

There are no error lights on

• 4wd light comes on and off when the 4wd Lock lever is engaged
• 4WD! light comes on when the ECU fuse is pulled
• Traction control light works but is not on
• ABS light works but is not on
• Check engine light works but is not on

However - the vehicle definitely seems to be stuck in 4wd - I can feel it binding when turning etc. This does not change with 4wd light on or off.

• Reversing to try to release a mechanical bind had no impact
• There is an almost "propane" smell in the vehicle - probably dripping or burning gear oil
• The front differential was replaced 6,000 miles before I bought it
• The rear differential gets hot when being driven
• There are no errors in the ODB2 record

One possible issue is that the tires are slightly mismatched (and have been since I bought it)?

I have seen others with a similar challenge posting in other places but nobody has posted a resolution that I can find. There are some issues that are somewhat similar with speed sensor issues but those seem to universally throw a Traction Control error.

I am hoping there is some way to release the ECC somehow and free the rear end?
Are there troubleshooting steps for the PTU / RDA etc?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

 

[Tyler-98-W68]

Pull the ECC fuse, then you will be in FWD mode and see if that gets rid of the problem.

 

[Ellie12]

Hi Drew,
By any chance, have you figured out how to fix the issue? I am having the exact same problem right now. Please let me know.

 

[Drew Whitten]

Hi Drew,
By any chance, have you figured out how to fix the issue? I am having the exact same problem right now. Please let me know.

Honestly - no. I took it into a local Transmission and Gear shop - they felt the transmission was bad and referred me to the dealer. After they looked at it the transmission is slipping. They were not really well versed in the details of the PDU or the ECC. They told me that the dealer will have to program a transmission as part of the installation process and I cannot meaningfully get a used transmissions. Candidly I don't believe them. Worse, after they looked at it the transmission is slipping. I am certainly not going to pay a dealer for a transmission. I feel like whatever else was wrong with it - with the transmissions slipping it isn't going to be economically viable to repair.

 

[Socalsodak]

I have a 2007 Jeep compass 4x4 Sport that I recently purchased that appears to be stuck in 4wd. I would very much appreciate anything anyone could share with me that might help me troubleshoot what I need to replace:

There are no error lights on

• 4wd light comes on and off when the 4wd Lock lever is engaged
• 4WD! light comes on when the ECU fuse is pulled
• Traction control light works but is not on
• ABS light works but is not on
• Check engine light works but is not on

However - the vehicle definitely seems to be stuck in 4wd - I can feel it binding when turning etc. This does not change with 4wd light on or off.

• Reversing to try to release a mechanical bind had no impact
• There is an almost "propane" smell in the vehicle - probably dripping or burning gear oil
• The front differential was replaced 6,000 miles before I bought it
• The rear differential gets hot when being driven
• There are no errors in the ODB2 record

One possible issue is that the tires are slightly mismatched (and have been since I bought it)?

I have seen others with a similar challenge posting in other places but nobody has posted a resolution that I can find. There are some issues that are somewhat similar with speed sensor issues but those seem to universally throw a Traction Control error.

I am hoping there is some way to release the ECC somehow and free the rear end?
Are there troubleshooting steps for the PTU / RDA etc?

Any help would be greatly appreciated

I recently bought a 2010 Compass. I have A slight front end shake. I wanted to spin the front wheels to check the tires. Traction control off, 4wd off. The rear wheels are pushing it off the jack stands. 4wd must be stuck on.

 

[Ryyan00]

Hey,

I had a similar issue with the 4wd. It ended up being the actual switch itself. Somebody musta spilled soda or something in the cup holder and it made its way over it the switch and shorted it out. I found one on eBay for about 30$ if I recall correctly. 2007-2017 Mopar Transfer Case Switch 5107932AA | Jeep Warehouse Direct

 

[pilchuck]

Hi Drew,
By any chance, have you figured out how to fix the issue? I am having the exact same problem right now. Please let me know.

Hey Ellie, I am a friend of Drews. Turns out his ECC was malfunctioning and replacing it solved the issue. .It can be purchased for around $300 online and as things go it was easy to replace.
1. Drain the read differential
2. Pull the driveline (4 bolts)
3. Pull the ECC (4 bolts)
4. Do the reverse of above to reinstall the ECC, don't forget to refill the differential and sealer between the ECC and the differential housing.

The ECC is a clutch that is normally disengaged and it is engaged by a small electro magnet. If you pull the ECC fuse then there is no power and it should allow the ECC to slip. We found that the binding issue occurred on Drews jeep even with the fuse pulled. There were no error codes or 4wd dash lights before we pulled the fuse. We noticed we could not make the new ECC slip by hand so we thought something must be wrong but after we installed the new ECC the jeep drove normally, no binding. I think there is normally a lot of drag on the clutch. I suspect because of the drag it seems like rear wheels are still engaged when the car is up on jacks. I suspect there is no mechanism to disengage the front wheels from the driveline. The real wheels are just controlled by the ECC and the driveline is always engaged..

Jay

 

[okkanym]

Hey Ellie, I am a friend of Drews. Turns out his ECC was malfunctioning and replacing it solved the issue. .It can be purchased for around $300 online and as things go it was easy to replace.
1. Drain the read differential
2. Pull the driveline (4 bolts)
3. Pull the ECC (4 bolts)
4. Do the reverse of above to reinstall the ECC, don't forget to refill the differential and sealer between the ECC and the differential housing.

The ECC is a clutch that is normally disengaged and it is engaged by a small electro magnet. If you pull the ECC fuse then there is no power and it should allow the ECC to slip. We found that the binding issue occurred on Drews jeep even with the fuse pulled. There were no error codes or 4wd dash lights before we pulled the fuse. We noticed we could not make the new ECC slip by hand so we thought something must be wrong but after we installed the new ECC the jeep drove normally, no binding. I think there is normally a lot of drag on the clutch. I suspect because of the drag it seems like rear wheels are still engaged when the car is up on jacks. I suspect there is no mechanism to disengage the front wheels from the driveline. The real wheels are just controlled by the ECC and the driveline is always engaged..

Jay

good morning I am aware it is long ago post, therefore as I was looking for some answer to my jeep compass 4wd stucked in 4Wd. as have the same exact issue with my jeep compass 2009 the previous owner rarely used the 4WD so as I went to the mountain and engage in 4Wd it is since then stuck in that mode and so as you turning the front left wheel it is indeed forcing especially in slipping road, so it is in constant 4wd drive... I went to a mechanic they say according to them to replace or unlock the little motor that manage the 4wd? that somewhere inside the rear differential and driveline.?
Drew, the ECC you are referring of is that specific little motor to be replace? or it is the a ship command that manage the ON OFF 4Wd any link you can share for the compass from 2007 to 2010? that will be very helpful to me.. and it will avoid to damage the clutch.. thank you again I am aware it is long post any help will be good.. thank you

 

[JSBrady]

I recently bought a 2010 Compass. I have A slight front end shake. I wanted to spin the front wheels to check the tires. Traction control off, 4wd off. The rear wheels are pushing it off the jack stands. 4wd must be stuck on.

I had a similar problem with my 2008 Jeep compass . It ended up being the switch lever. It works opposite when the light is off power stays to the solenoid and keeps it engaged. I changed the switch and it works perfect sounds crazy but that was the problem. It took me forever to figure it out these things have so many electrical issues. I hope this helps someone