Jeep "Service Shifter" Error Message: Reasons and Ways to Fix It

Getting into your car and seeing an error message on your dashboard can leave a sour taste in the mouth. Yet, these warnings exist to bring our attention to any issues our cars may have. Some errors can be mild or even mistakes. In contrast, other error messages can be severe issues that need immediate attention. Today we will be addressing the Service Shifter error in Jeeps.

Feedback from Jeep Owners suggests the service shifter error can be challenging to resolve. This error pops up on new and older vehicles alike. Having low driving mileage does not make your car immune, either. As such, this error has left many Jeep owners needing clarification. This article looks at the pesky service shifter error message, its meaning, and possible causes. Also, we will look at how to diagnose this error and ways to fix it.

What is the "Service Shifter" Error Message?

As its name suggests, the service shifter error message indicates a possible issue with your Jeep's gear shifter. Owners of Jeep Cherokees are most likely to experience this problem. The shifter error message on the dashboard may sometimes occur together with a disabled shifter mechanism. Sometimes, issues with the shifter light come with the shifter error.

If you see the service shifter error message, it might be time to visit a Jeep mechanic. Getting your vehicle inspected and diagnosed by professionals is critical. Because the shifter error is not the result of a particular issue, one or more of many problems could trigger the service shifter error message. Below, we will consider some of the common causes of this error.

Common Causes of the Service Shifter Error Message

Several problems can cause the service shifter error message. This section dives into some of them.

1) Maintenance

Car maintenance is an essential part of owning a car. Hence, a lack of regular maintenance might lead to sub-optimal performance and warning messages. A simple fix to the service shifter error could be changing or topping up the transmission fluid in your Jeep.

The fluid doesn't only lubricate parts of your transmission, it also helps them stay cool enough to work optimally. Make sure the fluid is in good condition because problems with it may easily trigger this error message.

2) Software Update

A software issue could also cause the shifter error message. So many modern vehicles use advanced computer software to handle many of the car's processes. Like many devices running software, your Jeep may also need an update.

Some Jeep owners have reported that the service shifter error got cleared after updating their cars' software. But, updating a Jeep's software is more challenging than updating a computer or mobile phone. You should take your vehicle to an expert to update it using the right tools and techniques.

3) Faulty wiring

As it is with electronic devices, your Jeep can develop wiring issues. The shifter wiring connects to a fuse box. A problem with the fuse box may cause the shifter to send incorrect signals. Furthermore, faulty wiring in the Jeep's shifter could cause other issues, which can affect performance.

Some of the telltale signs of shifter wiring problems include:

• Defective light indicator; this is when the driver can put the car into gear, but the gear reading is wrong.
• Unpredictable gear shifting
• The shifter moves without changing gears.
• Difficulty changing to a lower gear or downshifting.
• Difficulty shifting to a higher gear

Also, faulty wiring could cause issues between the shifter mechanism and the Jeep's computer. Another common cause of wiring problems in the shifter is the shifter cable. The shifter cable connects the shifter to the transmission shifting arm. In this case, remove the shifter bezel to fix the shifter wiring. Following this, replace the old shifter cable with a new one.

4) Defective Shifter

The shifter itself could cause the service shifter error message. As stated earlier, the service shifter warning usually suggests a problem with your Jeep's shifter mechanism. Generally, modern Jeeps engage the parking brake if the driver opens the door when the car is running; this might not happen if the shifter is defective. Also, turning your engine off may not shift the vehicle into "PARK" if the shifter is the culprit.

A damaged shifter needs replacement. An authorized dealer or mechanic can do this replacement. After replacing the shifter, the mechanic will reboot the engine.

5) Defective Shifter Bezel

The shifter bezel is the part around the shifter knob. The bezel bending, cracking or getting deformed in any way could cause communication issues for the system, resulting in the dreaded service shifter error message.

Diagnosing The Service Shifter Error

As we have seen, there are several reasons why the service shifter error message appears. Diagnosing the correct cause of the shifter error is usually done with an external scan tool connected to the Jeep's On-Board Diagnostic 2 (OBD2) port. For example, Jeep Cherokees, since the 2017 models, will need their shifter assemblies replaced if the scanning device returns either P1C86 or U1465 trouble codes.

If you do not already have a scan tool, you can buy a Jeep-compatible OBD2 scan device, follow the instructions and run the tests yourself. But you should note that using this device could become complex. So, getting an expert to diagnose the error will be better.

Sometimes, the scanning device might not detect any errors even though the service shifter error message is being displayed. In such cases, the mechanic will perform a manual and visual inspection.

If you have a Jeep Cherokee model from 2014 or 2015, you must pay particular attention to the service shifter error message. This is because the service shifter error in those models could indicate a severe problem that could lead to serious consequences for users. Some of those models were subject to a recall due to the issue.

Thus, if you have a Jeep Cherokee from that era without the recall fix, we advise that you refrain from driving your vehicle if you see the error. You should also contact your dealer or mechanic as soon as possible.

Ways To Fix the Service Shifter Error Message

For the most part, we recommend taking your car to an authorized mechanic to diagnose and fix the service shifter issue. Some common causes of the service shifter error might be complicated for non-mechanics to fix. Attempting to solve a complex or intricate problem without the expert ability to diagnose and resolve the issue could create more problems, ramping up costs.

Yet, there are times when some basic operations can resolve the shifter error message. Listed below are some simple solutions you can try to fix this issue.

1) Restart your Jeep

For anyone who has seen the service shifter error message, the easiest fix could be turning off your car's engine and turning it back on.

2) Unplug the battery

Unplugging the battery and reconnecting it can solve the shifter problem. To do this:

• Unplug the negative terminal first and then the positive one.
• Wait around 30 minutes.
• Reconnect your battery, the positive terminal first and then the negative one.

Note that disconnecting the battery will lead to other warning lights coming up due to a reduction in voltage, which makes the Engine Control Unit (ECU) malfunction. You can clear these with a diagnostic code reader.

3) Change the transmission fluid

As we suggested before, changing or topping up the fluid in your Jeep's transmission could fix the shifter error.

4) Replace blown Fuse

This fix might require more than basic knowledge of using a car. A blown fuse can cause a service shifter error. To find out if this is the case, locate your car's fuse box and the fuse associated with the Transmission Control Module (TCM/Shifter). Next, check if the fuse has blown.

A blown fuse will display melted or burned wire elements inside. If the fuse is blown, you will need to replace it with a new one.

When should I go to a professional?

Other suggestions, such as replacing the shifter, shifter bezel or wiring of the shifter, might be too complex for the average Jeep owner. Also, performing a software update for your car is more challenging than it sounds. Thus, we recommend taking your vehicle to your dealer or an authorized Jeep mechanic for diagnosis and repair if any of the above suggestions yield an undesired result.

Conclusion

The service shifter error message could appear on a Jeep, regardless of the car's age or mileage. Sometimes, simple troubleshooting techniques, like unplugging the battery, can fix the shifter error. Other times, the service shifter error message becomes a persistent issue that is challenging to resolve. In such cases, we recommend taking your car to experts to get the error diagnosed and fixed.

If it is a Jeep Cherokee model from 2014 -2015, please do not drive the vehicle and call your dealer immediately. Driving Jeep models with the service shifter error message without recall fixes could prove fatal.