2023 Gladiator Mojave was towed and now will not start and shift from 4H or Neutral to 2H

[jslegal]

We flat towed our Jeep behind our Super C 2019 Jayco Seneca 37K and back this weekend. The process of getting the Jeep ready to tow we did as follows: Started the engine, engaged the parking brake, Shift the transmission from Parking to neutral, with foot on brake turned engine off and then shifted the transfer case from 2H slide shift straight down to 4H, then slide to the right from 4H to Neutral and then we hooked the tow bar and left.

We unhook the Tow bar and the Jeep. We decided to go explore Gatlinburg so here is where the problem started: the transfer case shifter would only go from Neutral to 4H. We were not able to shift to 2H. We drove around in 4H mode. Upon reaching our house, the same issue was there, no ability to shift the transfer case shifter to 4H then to 2H. Now, when I. 4H, the engine will not start at all!! It make a clicking sound and clicks... Any ideas of why this happened and how to fix it??? We need help so I guess we need to consider going to the dealer. (The Jeep is still under warranty, thank googoo

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[PuddleJumper]

If your trying to get back into 2hi the same way you put it into neutral, Its gonna be almost impossible. 2Hi to 4Hi and vice versa should be done while driving. Hell I don't even stop for 4Lo, bump that sucker in at like 4mph. I've grabbed 4Hi at 50mph and shoved it back to 2Hi at similar speed. Its one of the reasons i prefer Jeep over everyone else. No oven style dial and a computer telling me i gotta stop having fun and do the hokey pokey to change in and out of 4wd.

 

[Mr._Bill]

Hopefully, there was no damage done. This is the recommended procedure from the 2023 Owners Manual.

Recreational Towing — Four-Wheel Drive Models
Note:
The transfer case must be shifted into N (Neutral), automatic transmission must be in PARK, and manual transmission must be in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL) for recreational towing.
CAUTION:

• DO NOT dolly tow any 4WD vehicle. Towing with only one set of wheels on the ground (front or rear) will cause severe transmission and/or transfer case damage. Tow with all four wheels either ON the ground, or OFF the ground (using a vehicle trailer).
• Tow only in the forward direction. Towing this vehicle backwards can cause severe damage to the transfer case.
• Automatic transmissions must be placed in PARK for recreational towing.
• Manual transmissions must be placed in gear (not in Neutral) for recreational towing.
• Before recreational towing, perform the procedure outlined under “Shifting Into N (Neutral)” to be certain that the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral). Otherwise, internal damage will result.
• Towing this vehicle in violation of the previously listed requirements can cause severe transmission and/or transfer case damage. Damage from improper towing is not covered under the New Vehicle Limited Warranty.
• Do not use a bumper-mounted clamp-on tow bar on your vehicle. The bumper face bar will be damaged.

Shifting Into N (Neutral)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for recreational towing.
Warning:
You or others could be injured or killed if you leave the vehicle unattended with the transfer case in the N (Neutral) position without first fully engaging the parking brake. The transfer case N (Neutral) position disengages both the front and rear driveshafts from the powertrain, and will allow the vehicle to roll, even if the automatic transmission is in PARK (or manual transmission is in gear). The parking brake should always be applied when the driver is not in the vehicle.
CAUTION:
It is necessary to follow these steps to be certain that the transfer case is fully in N (Neutral) before recreational towing to prevent damage to internal parts.

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop on level ground.
2. Press and hold the brake pedal.
3. Shift the automatic transmission into NEUTRAL or press the clutch pedal on a manual transmission.
4. Turn the engine off.
5. Shift the transfer case lever into N (Neutral).
6. Start the engine.
7. Shift the transmission into DRIVE or REVERSE.
8. Release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions) for five seconds and ensure that there is no vehicle movement.
9. Repeat steps 7 and 8 with automatic transmission in DRIVE or manual transmission in first gear.
10. Turn the engine off.
11. Firmly apply the parking brake.
12. Shift the transmission into PARK or place manual transmission in gear (NOT in NEUTRAL).
    CAUTION:
    Damage to the transmission may occur if the transmission is shifted into PARK with the transfer case in N (Neutral) and the engine running. With the transfer case in N (Neutral) ensure that the engine is OFF before shifting the transmission into PARK.
13. Attach the vehicle to the tow vehicle using a suitable tow bar.
14. Release the parking brake.

Shifting Out of N (Neutral)
Use the following procedure to prepare your vehicle for normal usage.

1. Bring the vehicle to a complete stop, leaving it connected to the tow vehicle.
2. Firmly apply the parking brake.
3. Start the engine.
4. Press and hold the brake pedal.
5. Shift the transmission into NEUTRAL.
6. Turn the engine off.
7. Shift the transfer case lever to the desired position.
   Note:
   When shifting the transfer case out of N (Neutral), the engine should remain off to avoid gear clash.
8. Shift the automatic transmission into PARK, or place manual transmission in NEUTRAL.
9. Release the brake pedal.
10. Disconnect vehicle from the tow vehicle.
11. Start the engine.
12. Press and hold the brake pedal.
13. Release the parking brake.
14. Shift the transmission into gear, release the brake pedal (and clutch pedal on manual transmissions), and check that the vehicle operates normally.

 

[norville]

Your battery sounds dead, did you leave the key on while towing? You can try putting the transmission into neutral and starting it? Did you try pushing the start button with the key. We would nee more info on how it's not starting to help any more..

It sounds like the 4wd shifter is just binding up try shifting it while moving or rolling, like the other said.

 

[Stan H]

We flat towed our Jeep behind our Super C 2019 Jayco Seneca 37K and back this weekend. The process of getting the Jeep ready to tow we did as follows: Started the engine, engaged the parking brake, Shift the transmission from Parking to neutral, with foot on brake turned engine off and then shifted the transfer case from 2H slide shift straight down to 4H, then slide to the right from 4H to Neutral and then we hooked the tow bar and left.

We unhook the Tow bar and the Jeep. We decided to go explore Gatlinburg so here is where the problem started: the transfer case shifter would only go from Neutral to 4H. We were not able to shift to 2H. We drove around in 4H mode. Upon reaching our house, the same issue was there, no ability to shift the transfer case shifter to 4H then to 2H. Now, when I. 4H, the engine will not start at all!! It make a clicking sound and clicks... Any ideas of why this happened and how to fix it??? We need help so I guess we need to consider going to the dealer. (The Jeep is still under warranty, thank googoo

Possibly during the towing did the wire on the back of the FAD become disconnected ?
I and thinking there is something funny going on there . Usually the shifter will move all the way up in 2H then if you push a little more it will spring back ½" . If it is going up that far and remaining in 4H then the FAD is not disengaging and causing it to stay in 4H. There have been a few times after alot of wheel spin I have had to go in reverse for 10 feet to get it to shift up into 2H . I hope the transfer case was completely in neutral if not there could be damage there.

 

[jslegal]

Did you try shifting from 4H to 2H while driving? It’s shift on the fly so it should go.

No, we didn’t try that. Rick went out there this morning and tried to start the Jeep and he had no luck.

 

[jslegal]

Did you try shifting from 4H to 2H while driving? It’s shift on the fly so it should go.

No, we didn’t try that. Rick went out there this morning and tried to start the Jeep and he had no luck.

So… I went out to the Jeep to give it a try… I went to start the Jeep when the lights, windshield wipers went nuts … I had Rick disconnect the battery and then hook it back up. Guess what? I was able to shift into 2H! Happy!!

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