A Jeep Cherokee service shifter light coming on could be the result of faulty wiring or a bad shifter.
When this light comes on, the Jeep Cherokee is notifying you that you need to take your car to a mechanic.
Of course, that’s probably the best choice, but you may now be sitting on the side of the road wondering if you can drive home once that service shifter light is lit. Keep reading and I’ll give you some advice on things to check…
Table of Contents
- What Does The Service Shifter Light Mean In A Jeep Cherokee?
- What Does A Service Shifter Light Mean In A Jeep Cherokee?
- What Will The Mechanic Do To Fix The Service Shifter Light?
- Can I Drive My Jeep Cherokee With the Service Shifter Light On?
- Can I Fix The Service Shifter Light At Home?
- How To Turn Off The Service Shifter Light
- Is There A Recall For The Shifter In My Jeep Cherokee KL?
- My Service Shifter Light Is On…So, What Do I Do Now?
What Does The Service Shifter Light Mean In A Jeep Cherokee?
What does the service shifter light mean in a Jeep Cherokee? A service shifter warning light means that your vehicle’s shifter needs to be serviced by a mechanic. Typically, this means that the fuses need to be replaced, the vehicle’s software needs to be updated or the shifter needs to be replaced.
When faced with a service shifter warning light, you may be hesitant to drive your vehicle and even question what to do next.
A service shifter light is usually an indication of a simple repair at the dealership, however, if you own a 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee KL, the problem can be extremely dangerous.
A 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee KL should not be driven if the repairs have not been made from the recall.
What Does A Service Shifter Light Mean In A Jeep Cherokee?
If you are driving your Jeep Cherokee and a warning comes up that says, “Service Shifter,” it is probably a good idea to schedule an appointment with a mechanic. This indicator is a warning light that says that there is a problem with your shifter.
Usually, this warning means that your shifter needs to be serviced. Some have found that the fuses of the shifter need to be replaced while others fix the problem by replacing the entire shifter or simply updating the software.
Typically, a service shifter light is more of a nuisance than an emergency and will involve taking your vehicle to a mechanic, possibly several times.
There is no true answer to what the shifter warning indicates, however, as it can be several things.
Some mechanics have never even heard of it so diagnosing the problem can be a challenge. It also appears that for many, this is an ongoing problem with no solution, just frustration.
It is best to take your vehicle to a mechanic who can diagnose the problem and, hopefully, offer a solution.
Some may consider this problem a faulty system so it may be covered under warranty, however, some dealerships and mechanics do not consider this problem to be covered under warranty, so you may have to pay for the repairs out of your pocket.
What Will The Mechanic Do To Fix The Service Shifter Light?
If you bring your Jeep Cherokee into a mechanic for them to service the shifter, they will attempt a few different things.
- They will use a computer to check your vehicle’s computer for any warnings or indication of faulty technology.
- The mechanic may replace the wiring of the shifter.
- They may replace the shifter entirely, especially if it is being worked on under warranty.
Can I Drive My Jeep Cherokee With the Service Shifter Light On?
You may be sitting on the side of the road right now, wondering if it’s safe to drive your vehicle.
The service shifter warning may have appeared while driving, so you are probably considering calling a tow-truck. But, is it worth the expense, or can you just take your Jeep home?
For the most part, it is safe to drive your Jeep Cherokee with the service shifter light on.
This problem usually indicates faulty wiring or a need for a software update, but it is usually safe to drive your vehicle with the service shifter light on if there are no other symptoms.
The warning itself is not cause for a tow, although you should get it to a shop as soon as possible and avoid traveling out of town until it is repaired.
Can I Fix The Service Shifter Light At Home?
To repair your Jeep Cherokee after the service shifter warning has come on, you will probably have to take it to a trained mechanic.
This is not a quick fix, and there will likely be parts that will need to be ordered. You can take your vehicle to a mechanic store and test the computer with an On-Board Diagnostics, or OBD, to see if anything comes up.
This repair is a bit complex and may require multiple attempts to fix it. It is best to take your car to a mechanic, although it is ideal to take it to a dealership who would know more about the vehicle.
If you are using the warranty for the repairs, you will need to go to a dealership for diagnostics and repairs.
How To Turn Off The Service Shifter Light
You may have now taken your vehicle to a mechanic, and they might have found nothing wrong. The light could still be on for seemingly no reason.
Some opt to just turn the warning off once they know there is not a problem. Turning the service shifter light off can be done by:
- Unplugging the battery for at least ten minutes and then plugging it back in.
- Changing the oil, which may turn the service shifter warning off.
- Turn off the vehicle and restart.
The warning may disappear once these steps are completed.
Is There A Recall For The Shifter In My Jeep Cherokee KL?
While there is not a recall for the service shifter warning, there is a recall for a separate issue in the 2014 Jeep Cherokee that is very dangerous and should be fixed before it is driven again. There have been many accidents and even deaths as a result of a faulty Jeep Cherokee.
The recall is for the 2014 Jeep Cherokee, and the problem is the vehicle will shift while driving. Some vehicles shift into neutral or downshift while driving.
There are a lot of complaints about the vehicle not going into Park when turned off, which can be dangerous. You should not drive your 2014 Jeep Cherokee until this repair is made because the results can be deadly.
This repair typically requires service of the transmission as while the shifter appears to be the issue, it is the transmission that is shifting on its own. This will take some time to repair but it should be free of charge.
My Service Shifter Light Is On…So, What Do I Do Now?
As we mentioned, if your vehicle has a service shifter warning light and is a 2014-2015 Jeep Cherokee that has not been repaired from the recall, it should be towed to the nearest dealership to replace the faulty parts.
This recall is extremely important and can be deadly if not taken seriously.
If your vehicle is not part of the recall, it is probably safe to drive home, but it should be scheduled to be serviced as soon as possible.
If your vehicle has been serviced but the light is still on, it will be safe to drive although you should continue to investigate the problem. This problem is unique to Jeep Cherokee’s so it’s probably a good idea to just take it to a certified dealership mechanic who is familiar with this issue.
Some people experience this warning being on for what seemed like no reason.
The vehicle may be repaired and serviced, but the light may remain on. While this is a common problem in Jeep Cherokees, it is not part of a recall or a mass effort of repair.
A shifter service warning light showing up may indicate a problem. However, the warning is known to show up even when there is nothing wrong.