Service 4WD

[FrankDecker]

Can't flat tow my 2021 GC L. Overland 4x4. Put transfer case in NEUTRAL in preparation for flat tow behind motorhome. Without even leaving garage attempted to shift transfer case out of NEUTRAL (pages 2024-205 in owner manual). After steps 6 & 7 pushing N (Neutral button), neutral light went out and got SERVICE 4WD message on dash. Step 8 Shift transmission into PARK got dash message that vehicle was moving too fast to go into PARK. Vehicle was still in garage; not moving. Transfer case was stuck in NEUTRAL. I could push vehicle in garage, but not engage drive. Jeep now sitting at dealer Lakeland CJDR while their techs consult with Jeep STAR techs to solve the problem. They have recreated the problem, but no solution in the last week.

 

[overlandgrl]

Can't flat tow my 2021 GC L. Overland 4x4. Put transfer case in NEUTRAL in preparation for flat tow behind motorhome. Without even leaving garage attempted to shift transfer case out of NEUTRAL (pages 2024-205 in owner manual). After steps 6 & 7 pushing N (Neutral button), neutral light went out and got SERVICE 4WD message on dash. Step 8 Shift transmission into PARK got dash message that vehicle was moving too fast to go into PARK. Vehicle was still in garage; not moving. Transfer case was stuck in NEUTRAL. I could push vehicle in garage, but not engage drive. Jeep now sitting at dealer Lakeland CJDR while their techs consult with Jeep STAR techs to solve the problem. They have recreated the problem, but no solution in the last week.

I am in the same boat. I went to Roadmaster to have a tow package and brake system installed so that my Overland could be towed. After the installation we had the exact same issue. I took it back to the dealership here in Bellevue and they charged me $600 to recalibrate and retrain a bunch of sensors and said it was needed because Roadmaster removed the front fascia thus everything needed to be recalibrated and it was not covered under warranty. They did it and I didn't check it while I was there but as soon as I got home same thing. It goes into tow mode fine.. put it in neutral, press N and put it in Drive then Park and turn off the car. All fine and we were able to flat tow it. Trying to get it out of tow mode has been the issue. I put it in Neutraul, press the N button.. and no drive mode. I get either a service 4WD message or I put it in Park and the P flashes. I turn it on and off a few times then finally it jolts itself back into Drive mode. So I took it back again today and of course their Jeep techs are saying it's not warrantable and it is Roadmaster's issue so if they do any diagnostics, it won't be under warranty. I called Roadmaster and they want me to bring it in but would like to speak to the Jeep technicians with their developers so that they can try to figure out things on their end. I think this has been a Jeep issue all along and they don't want to acknowledge that possibility at all. I will update this thread as the saga continues.

 

[voltdoc]

Looking forward to any updates you may have.

I call BS on the removing the front fascia requiring a recalibrate, did my own baseplate (Roadmaster Overland model) and removed/reinstalled my fascia twice, no problems, no recalibration needed. Just don't turn on the ignition or start the vehicle with the fascia removed or that will generate some errors (but even those will eventually clear and not need a recalibration).

I have experienced the same problem getting the transfer case (TC) out of Neutral, however I have now towed about 4000 miles and have found a simple workaround - time. Starting the vehicle and simply waiting 90 to 120 seconds and so far 100% success rate getting the TC out of neutral on the first try. While waiting the two minutes I unhook the towbar and put all the gear away. Perhaps still a "problem" Jeep needs to fix, but for me it is an acceptable workaround for now. Be interested to hear if this works for you and others.

Of more concern is the Electric Park Brake (EPB) activating while towing, I know of two people this has happened to and tires were destroyed. Strongly suggest any flat towers disable the Auto Park Brake (APB) in Uconnect. However, even with that disabled there is a "feature" called Safe Hold that can still activate the EPB under certain conditions, like having the door open or shutting off the engine if the transmission is not fully in Park. You must be very careful when preparing to tow.

I have been posting my experience and details on IRV2.com https://www.irv2.com/forums/f85/new-grand-cherokee-l-flat-tow-547326-9.html
In particular see posts #100 and #123.