tearacks
Member
- Thread starter
- #1
Hi all,
I'm starting this thread to add to the reported instances of "Service Shifter" in our JL Wranglers. This also serves as a timeline and record of events in case the issue is not resolveable by the dealer.
This post is long, so here's the TLDR
tl;dr - My 2018 JLU Sahara has been in the shop for two weeks after a "Service Shifter" light popped up on my dash. The dealer currently does not know what is wrong and I and my family remain without our Jeep for now. There have been some attempts to fix the vehicle, but nothing has resolved the issue just yet.
I plan to break this inital report up into several sections to clearly outline the history of the problem. From there, I will provide updates as they come in from the dealer. I'll also be commenting on the customer experience I receive from the dealer, FCA, and other stakeholders.
Purchase & Pre-Issue Vehicle History
My Jeep was a new 2018 JL Unlimited Sahara purchaed on July 28, 2019 from John Elway CDJR in Claremont, CA.
After driving off the lot, I was very happy with the decision to trade my 3-Series in for the Jeep. From that moment I drove it without issue between my place in Downtown Los Angeles and my parent's place in Upland, CA on a weekly basis.
Eventually I moved to Northern California to the San Jose area, experiencing no issues that I would consider critical. I did experience some chronic issues such as a creaking driver-side door card and looser-than expected-steering, but due to the low-priority nature of those issues (in my mind), I haven't rushed to get them fixed just yet. Some other intermittent issues we faced during our 3 months of ownership include uConnect not coming online (blank screen) randomly, CarPlay not sensing my phone plugged in, and backup guidelines not showing up.
Other than that, and the more serious issue outlined below, it's been a very happy ~4,500 miles of ownership.
The only modifications to the Jeep are cosmetic - Rubicon wheel/tire take-offs and a stubby 13" antenna.
History of Service Shifter Issue
My Jeep first threw the Service Shifter error and MIL (along with other errors that i couldnot catch, I think one about power steering) when I was at a Starbucks in Rancho Cucamonga, CA on October 25, 2019. A closer parking spot to the entrance of the coffee shop opened up, so I went outside to move the Jeep closer, just to keep it within view.
When I hopped into the Jeep to back out, I was met with a sensation I could only describe as someone slamming on the brakes without my knowledge. The car stopped ubruptly and made some clinking noises most likley related to the rough stop. It felt like I hit a cub. I tried to continue reversing, but the Jeep would not move despite the revs climbing.
I put the Jeep into 'D' to pull forward and that's whenI noticed that the power steering was gone. It was incredibly difficult to turn the wheel given that I just swapped the wheels/tires for the Rubicons wheel/tires. I managed to crookedly pull out of the parking lot aisle and back into my original spot. I tried to reverse again, this time with service shifter message and MIL indicating something is wrong. Again, managed to back out about 5 - 10 feet and boom the same abrupt stop occurs. Power steering still dead.
Okay, now I'm worried. I pop the Jeep into 'D' and struggle to straighten her out. I put the Jeep into Park and look around for any other warnings/errors/lights but only find the Service Shifter message, the MIL light on, and a red lightning/electrical bolt that flashed but went away. I just the engine off. I wait a minute. I start her back up and try to back out again, still with MIL and Service Shifter light on. This time, I manage to backup into a spot directly behind me - no issues. I have power steering and I no abrupt stop. I shift back into 'D' to see what happens. I'm able to move the car to the spot I wanted without issues.
From here, I stop the work I went to Starbucks to do and start researching the issue. Sadly, the solution for this issue hits at both ends of the spectrum. Things from loose connectors, bad grounds, bad wiring harnesses, to shifter replacements and eventually, with time, buybacks and lemon law claims.
Contacting the Dealer
So, now here I am, researching the issue and not finding anything I can do from a DIY perspective. This needs to be taken in. Luckily, I am visiting my parents and dropping off my dog before a trip. Unluckily, all of this happend about 5 hours before my flight was set to leave for aforementioned trip.
I call John Elway CDJR for help. I initially call to get their opinion but they can't say for sure without seeing the vehicle. I hang up do more research, don't find any new info, so I call back again to speak with someone. I describe the issue and was asked if this was for a Cherokee. I said this is for a JL Warngler and the SA seemed surprised. The service advisor, who has been a great help so far, said there were no appointments for that day, but I'm more then welcome to drop it off and they'll take a look at it. I opt for that option.
My girlfriend and I pack up our stuff and starting crossing my fingers that I can limp the car to the dealer. We start up the Jeep, MIL is still on but no Service Shifter message. We back up and pull out without issue and 15 minute trip to the dealer goes off without issue. About 10 minutes into the trip, we received the Service Shifter message again, but no loss of power steering and no abrupt braking. Jeep continues to shift and operate normally.
We pull into the service bay. I meet with the Service Advisor I spoke to over the phone. He checks some stuff and pulls some diagnostics up on his iPad. He reads off a lot of codes that were inconclusive and says it'll be investigated. I'm happy enough that it's getting looked at. I sign and the dealer arranges an Uber to come take us back home.
Updates on Repairs After Drop-Off
At this point, my initial plan to let my family use my Jeep is out of the window. I'm not able to utilize the vehicle in the way I intended and that kind of sucked. Instead its on the shop.
From this point on, I receive updates on the vehicle. I shoot an email to the dealer on Oct 30 reminding them that I'm on a trip, but I'm reachable so please send status updates.
The first update I receive is on November 6, 2019 stating that, and this is a summarization, "...technicians have identified a communications issue with the canbus system. Conventional troubleshooting methods have been exhausted. This isn't something they've seen happen on a JL before. An escalation to STAR has been submitted and that I'll be updated when a solution is ready."
Okay, cool. No problem on my end. Hopefully it gets figured out soon.
The next update was on Nov 7, 2019 stating that, and this is a summarization, that the techs attempted a different repair strategy by replacing the transmission valve body. Unfortunately, it did not resolve the issue and the STAR escalation case was updated with the same.
Where We are Now (As of this writing at least...)
I'm now waiting for the dealer to open so that I can inquire about a courtesy/loaner vehicle so I can get back home before work on Monday (remember when I said I live in San Jose area?).
Right now, the issue is still a mystery. Dealer and star are still figuring out what's going on. Right now, the Jeep has had one visit to the dealer, seemingly multiple attempts to resolve the issue, and a total of 15, going on 16, in-the-shop/out-of-service days.
I'll keep this thread updated on how things go. Adding in @JeepCares in case this is something they can help with.
I'm starting this thread to add to the reported instances of "Service Shifter" in our JL Wranglers. This also serves as a timeline and record of events in case the issue is not resolveable by the dealer.
This post is long, so here's the TLDR
tl;dr - My 2018 JLU Sahara has been in the shop for two weeks after a "Service Shifter" light popped up on my dash. The dealer currently does not know what is wrong and I and my family remain without our Jeep for now. There have been some attempts to fix the vehicle, but nothing has resolved the issue just yet.
I plan to break this inital report up into several sections to clearly outline the history of the problem. From there, I will provide updates as they come in from the dealer. I'll also be commenting on the customer experience I receive from the dealer, FCA, and other stakeholders.
Purchase & Pre-Issue Vehicle History
My Jeep was a new 2018 JL Unlimited Sahara purchaed on July 28, 2019 from John Elway CDJR in Claremont, CA.
After driving off the lot, I was very happy with the decision to trade my 3-Series in for the Jeep. From that moment I drove it without issue between my place in Downtown Los Angeles and my parent's place in Upland, CA on a weekly basis.
Eventually I moved to Northern California to the San Jose area, experiencing no issues that I would consider critical. I did experience some chronic issues such as a creaking driver-side door card and looser-than expected-steering, but due to the low-priority nature of those issues (in my mind), I haven't rushed to get them fixed just yet. Some other intermittent issues we faced during our 3 months of ownership include uConnect not coming online (blank screen) randomly, CarPlay not sensing my phone plugged in, and backup guidelines not showing up.
Other than that, and the more serious issue outlined below, it's been a very happy ~4,500 miles of ownership.
The only modifications to the Jeep are cosmetic - Rubicon wheel/tire take-offs and a stubby 13" antenna.
History of Service Shifter Issue
My Jeep first threw the Service Shifter error and MIL (along with other errors that i couldnot catch, I think one about power steering) when I was at a Starbucks in Rancho Cucamonga, CA on October 25, 2019. A closer parking spot to the entrance of the coffee shop opened up, so I went outside to move the Jeep closer, just to keep it within view.
When I hopped into the Jeep to back out, I was met with a sensation I could only describe as someone slamming on the brakes without my knowledge. The car stopped ubruptly and made some clinking noises most likley related to the rough stop. It felt like I hit a cub. I tried to continue reversing, but the Jeep would not move despite the revs climbing.
I put the Jeep into 'D' to pull forward and that's whenI noticed that the power steering was gone. It was incredibly difficult to turn the wheel given that I just swapped the wheels/tires for the Rubicons wheel/tires. I managed to crookedly pull out of the parking lot aisle and back into my original spot. I tried to reverse again, this time with service shifter message and MIL indicating something is wrong. Again, managed to back out about 5 - 10 feet and boom the same abrupt stop occurs. Power steering still dead.
Okay, now I'm worried. I pop the Jeep into 'D' and struggle to straighten her out. I put the Jeep into Park and look around for any other warnings/errors/lights but only find the Service Shifter message, the MIL light on, and a red lightning/electrical bolt that flashed but went away. I just the engine off. I wait a minute. I start her back up and try to back out again, still with MIL and Service Shifter light on. This time, I manage to backup into a spot directly behind me - no issues. I have power steering and I no abrupt stop. I shift back into 'D' to see what happens. I'm able to move the car to the spot I wanted without issues.
From here, I stop the work I went to Starbucks to do and start researching the issue. Sadly, the solution for this issue hits at both ends of the spectrum. Things from loose connectors, bad grounds, bad wiring harnesses, to shifter replacements and eventually, with time, buybacks and lemon law claims.
Contacting the Dealer
So, now here I am, researching the issue and not finding anything I can do from a DIY perspective. This needs to be taken in. Luckily, I am visiting my parents and dropping off my dog before a trip. Unluckily, all of this happend about 5 hours before my flight was set to leave for aforementioned trip.
I call John Elway CDJR for help. I initially call to get their opinion but they can't say for sure without seeing the vehicle. I hang up do more research, don't find any new info, so I call back again to speak with someone. I describe the issue and was asked if this was for a Cherokee. I said this is for a JL Warngler and the SA seemed surprised. The service advisor, who has been a great help so far, said there were no appointments for that day, but I'm more then welcome to drop it off and they'll take a look at it. I opt for that option.
My girlfriend and I pack up our stuff and starting crossing my fingers that I can limp the car to the dealer. We start up the Jeep, MIL is still on but no Service Shifter message. We back up and pull out without issue and 15 minute trip to the dealer goes off without issue. About 10 minutes into the trip, we received the Service Shifter message again, but no loss of power steering and no abrupt braking. Jeep continues to shift and operate normally.
We pull into the service bay. I meet with the Service Advisor I spoke to over the phone. He checks some stuff and pulls some diagnostics up on his iPad. He reads off a lot of codes that were inconclusive and says it'll be investigated. I'm happy enough that it's getting looked at. I sign and the dealer arranges an Uber to come take us back home.
Updates on Repairs After Drop-Off
At this point, my initial plan to let my family use my Jeep is out of the window. I'm not able to utilize the vehicle in the way I intended and that kind of sucked. Instead its on the shop.
From this point on, I receive updates on the vehicle. I shoot an email to the dealer on Oct 30 reminding them that I'm on a trip, but I'm reachable so please send status updates.
The first update I receive is on November 6, 2019 stating that, and this is a summarization, "...technicians have identified a communications issue with the canbus system. Conventional troubleshooting methods have been exhausted. This isn't something they've seen happen on a JL before. An escalation to STAR has been submitted and that I'll be updated when a solution is ready."
Okay, cool. No problem on my end. Hopefully it gets figured out soon.
The next update was on Nov 7, 2019 stating that, and this is a summarization, that the techs attempted a different repair strategy by replacing the transmission valve body. Unfortunately, it did not resolve the issue and the STAR escalation case was updated with the same.
Where We are Now (As of this writing at least...)
I'm now waiting for the dealer to open so that I can inquire about a courtesy/loaner vehicle so I can get back home before work on Monday (remember when I said I live in San Jose area?).
Right now, the issue is still a mystery. Dealer and star are still figuring out what's going on. Right now, the Jeep has had one visit to the dealer, seemingly multiple attempts to resolve the issue, and a total of 15, going on 16, in-the-shop/out-of-service days.
I'll keep this thread updated on how things go. Adding in @JeepCares in case this is something they can help with.
Sponsored