Service Shifter

[AussieJLOverland]

Update to my service shifter issue. Was driving my JLU to the dealer to diagnose this problem among others when as I drove the service shifter warning on the dash started going nuts then the check engine light came on & all the lights on the shifter itself started flashing like Christmas lights. I made it to the dealer & left it overnight. Picked up my wrangler today & they had found the problem. The wiring harness to the transmission (from an earlier recall) had been rubbing on the heat shield on the catalytic converter & had started melting through damaging the wires. They did a temp repair which seems to have fixed the problem & are contacting Jeep warranty dept to have the harness replaced. Funny thing is, this harness recall issue had already been addressed by the dealer after the first service at 12,000klms & re-routed as per Jeeps instructions in the recall notice & yet it still burned through. So if you are having this service shifter issue have the dealer check the wiring harness near the catalytic converter heat shield from the original transmission wiring harness recall.

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[MelindaJL]

I’m having the same problem with my 2018 wrangler JL. Been to the Jeep dealership twice. Right now, stranded because it won’t shift. Has anyone had any luck finding out the problem?

 

[MelindaJL]

 

[AussieJLOverland]

See above...

 

[ProJeep]

We’re having a similar issue with our ‘18… About 50% of the time when you start it the dash lights up alerting that basically all systems are disabled and it won’t shift into gear. After we spend anywhere from 5-30 minutes turning it on and off and letting it run for a bit in between cycles it will work just fine - although the engine light stays illuminated. We’ve taken it to the dealer where they tell us there are no codes picked up. They suggested that maybe a new battery would solve the issue so we had that replaced but the issue has persisted. The dealership told us it’s okay to continue driving with an orange engine light but to stop if it’s red and flashing. So far that hasn’t happened. But the not engaging in gear has left our 16yo stranded in a parking lot at night a few times.

 

[JeepCares]

I’m having the same problem with my 2018 wrangler JL. Been to the Jeep dealership twice. Right now, stranded because it won’t shift. Has anyone had any luck finding out the problem?

We’re having a similar issue with our ‘18… About 50% of the time when you start it the dash lights up alerting that basically all systems are disabled and it won’t shift into gear. After we spend anywhere from 5-30 minutes turning it on and off and letting it run for a bit in between cycles it will work just fine - although the engine light stays illuminated. We’ve taken it to the dealer where they tell us there are no codes picked up. They suggested that maybe a new battery would solve the issue so we had that replaced but the issue has persisted. The dealership told us it’s okay to continue driving with an orange engine light but to stop if it’s red and flashing. So far that hasn’t happened. But the not engaging in gear has left our 16yo stranded in a parking lot at night a few times.

Hello, MelindaJL and ProJeep.

If either of you need an extra layer of support with concerns, please separately private message our team.

Kate
Jeep Cares

 

[ProJeep]

See above...

Hi Aussie! I am curious to know if the wiring harness repair solved the shifter problem? Thank you!

 

[ProJeep]

I’m having the same problem with my 2018 wrangler JL. Been to the Jeep dealership twice. Right now, stranded because it won’t shift. Has anyone had any luck finding out the problem?

Hi Melinda! Have you had any luck finding a resolution? Our Jeep is currently at the dealership. They say there are many codes recorded but not sure how to solve... I need my vehicle back!!! Many thanks!

 

[AussieJLOverland]

Hi Aussie! I am curious to know if the wiring harness repair solved the shifter problem? Thank you!

Yes! The wiring harness repair solved the service shifter issue. When the dealer contacted Jeep tech they even directed the dealer to check the trans wiring harness which leads me to believe that Jeep knows that the wiring harness is the cause of the problem. From what the dealer told me the wiring harness was rubbing on the catalytic converter & was burning through causing a short. Jeep even has a wiring repair kit available under warranty to repair the harness for this issue.

 

[ProJeep]

Yes! The wiring harness repair solved the service shifter issue. When the dealer contacted Jeep tech they even directed the dealer to check the trans wiring harness which leads me to believe that Jeep knows that the wiring harness is the cause of the problem. From what the dealer told me the wiring harness was rubbing on the catalytic converter & was burning through causing a short. Jeep even has a wiring repair kit available under warranty to repair the harness for this issue.

I appreciate the quick reply - I am passing this info along to our service advisor! Many thanks!

 

[ProJeep]

I am wildly disappointed with the service provided by our dealership. They had our Jeep for days and confirmed that they determined that there is a short but have not been able to isolate it so are unable to repair. I provided the information available from this (and other pages) and was told that their mechanics, with all their years of experience, do not look to information on the internet to diagnose a vehicle problem. When I asked how much longer they would need the vehicle in order to fix the problem they said that they couldn't give an estimate because they're looking for a needle in a haystack - they could get lucky and it would be days or it could take weeks. We wound up taking our Jeep back - still broken - because we can't be down a vehicle for an indeterminate amount of time.
We have a Rubicon 4xe on order and are seriously considering canceling if we can't count on reliable service options. The service team told us the 1 in 20 4xe's have similar electrical issues.

 

[CulpMinMn]

Add me to the list…I too am a proud owner of a 2021 JL that joined the Service Shifter Badge of Honor club. It only took 16 months, and about 15K on the clock for my JL to run into this issue.

Is Jeep offering a permanent fix to unfornicate this issue, or do I need add this to an biannual maintenance schedule to check the placement of the harness.

Is anyone’s Jeep a repeat offender of this, and have burned trough multiple wiring harnesses?

Cheers

 

[AussieJLOverland]

I am wildly disappointed with the service provided by our dealership. They had our Jeep for days and confirmed that they determined that there is a short but have not been able to isolate it so are unable to repair. I provided the information available from this (and other pages) and was told that their mechanics, with all their years of experience, do not look to information on the internet to diagnose a vehicle problem. When I asked how much longer they would need the vehicle in order to fix the problem they said that they couldn't give an estimate because they're looking for a needle in a haystack - they could get lucky and it would be days or it could take weeks. We wound up taking our Jeep back - still broken - because we can't be down a vehicle for an indeterminate amount of time.
We have a Rubicon 4xe on order and are seriously considering canceling if we can't count on reliable service options. The service team told us the 1 in 20 4xe's have similar electrical issues.

Sounds like you just need to take it to a different dealer. Jeep dealers seem to be very hit & miss when it comes to quality service. Jeep themselves told my dealer to check the transmission wiring harness so they know where the problem is & even have a repair kit for that very harness to fix the problem. Sounds like your dealer of choice is a dud. Try calling FCA customer service direct & give them a mouthful about the problem & your seemingly incompetent dealer. Maybe they will contact the dealer & direct them to the trans harness. Good luck with it all mate.

 

[klsumljd]

I’m currently having the same problems with my 2018 jeep, I have had the ABS module antilock brake system changed when I left the dealership everything was fine but when I got home turned my truck off & turned it back on all the lights on my dashboard started blinking, service shifter came on & I was stuck in park. I don’t have a clue what to do now

 

[JeepCares]

I’m currently having the same problems with my 2018 jeep, I have had the ABS module antilock brake system changed when I left the dealership everything was fine but when I got home turned my truck off & turned it back on all the lights on my dashboard started blinking, service shifter came on & I was stuck in park. I don’t have a clue what to do now

We're sorry to hear of these concerns! Our team recommends a dealership visit. If you need support while there, let us know.

Kate
Jeep Cares

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