I have a 2008 2 door with a build date of June 2008. It is an auto and it does not lock.

 

I guess if I don't have to turn the key to the on posistion then I don't have to worry about disconnecting the battery... I think the only reason the disconnect the battery was to keep it from running down while towing with the key in the on posistion... Right?

 

i have an '08 with a may '08 build date and the steering wheel has never locked. took it to the stealership last year & no one there was sure about whether or not it should lock. one mechanic said he thought it shouldn't so then they all went along with him.

went to stealership today on a different issue & asked the assistant service manager about it but he said he didn't know if it should lock. i will be forced to leave the jeep there so i will have them check it out.

 

I have an 09 w/ auto and a friend has an 09 unlimited w/manual and neither has a locking steering wheel. I asked about the lack of a wheel lock when my jeep was in for another issue. They printed out a notice from Jeep that said "some" 2009 Jeeps didn't have locking steering wheels, it didn't specify automatic or manual.

 

I didn't think mine locked either, until I installed my cruise control. When I was done, the wheel locked. Unlocked with the key just as you would expect.

I am thinking that the wheel may need to be turned more than normal to lock, but either way, I would operate assuming it can lock.

Now fort the towing issue...I tow my JK behind my motorhome several thousand miles each year, and turn the key to the ACC position to keep the wheel unlocked (I know...), but the point is I have never disconnected the battery or pulled any fuses, and the owners manual does not say to do this (at least I don't think so). Turn the key on, shut off the radio and any accessories, and all you have running is the led on the odometer. Also, if you disconnect the battery, what is keeping your brake actuator powered up, or the tail/brake lights working? My last trip was 1,000 each way, with the key on, the brake actuator working and no power drain when I got to my destination. I have towed flawlessly since I bought it, and have had no issues what soever.

Turn the key on, shut everything else off, trans in 4th gear, tran case in neutral and go. Oh, there is a factory option to plug the town vehicle right into the vehicles electrical system, running all lights through the JK's lights with no need for those crazy mag mounted tail lights. Works great.

 

FWIW, we had our 09 setup to do as the previous poster is doing with one exception.
I had a circut breaker installed between the MH battery and the Jeep battery.
It works thru the plug. Kinda like a trickle charge setup on a trailer battery.
Pulled it to Utah and back and no prob.

 

The 2009 owner's manual has a couple of paragraphs describing how the passive steering wheel lock works, and how to manually lock it, however, I have a 2009 Rubicon (with cruise control), and my steering wheel won't lock passively or actively.

 

We have fixed 07 to 08 steering locks so they will not lock and this does keep you fro jacking with the battery.
Somewhere in 08 late to 09 they did change the lock mech. Good thing since alot of JK's are tow behind motor homes.

Gerry

 

Are you guys locking it properly?

Park the jeep. With the engine running turn the steering wheel so the Jeep emblem is upside-down. Turn off the engine and take out the key. Turn the steering wheel slightly left or right until it clicks.

 

I haven't tried making sure the Jeep emblem is upside down before taking the key out but I have taken the key out and turned the steering wheel both ways until the steering hit it's limit. No locking or hints of locking...