Community Forums

Mckeerw · 01-05-2023, 05:50 PM

Brand new 2023 Grand Cherokee Overland all set up to tow, but unable because front wheels do not steer when turning. The steering wheel will turn about 1/4 turn left or right when making turns, then the front wheels start dragging sideways. It's in Neutral Tow, and the power steering is active as it is supposed to be. The steering wheel can easily be turned all the way manually at any time during the turn. Everything else works great!

Need to know if anybody else has ever had this issue? Roadmaster, M&G Engineering, Jeep, and several techs that do installs all say they have never seen this.

Will be trying to find someone at Jeep that knows the system, no luck so far.

sramer · 01-05-2023, 10:02 PM

That's troubling as I just sold my 2019 Grand Cherokee and ordered a 2023 GC Summit. I do recall the last body style having some issue like that and I think a computer update fixed it. I'm going to do some research and post if I find anything.

sramer · 01-05-2023, 10:20 PM

I found it on the old body style but it had to do with the death wobble and Jeep would install some type of harness to correct it.

If you find an answer I would appreciate you posting and I will do the same.

markpj23 · 01-06-2023, 05:53 AM

What is the angle of the tow bar from the coach to the Jeep? Is it nearly level? Just thinking that the geometry may be affecting your setup.

DuaneMiller · 01-06-2023, 08:05 AM

As a test, could you unhook your battery on the Jeep, and try to tow it. That way, you could possibly rule out if the power steering is causing your issue...

We have a 2019 GC Overland, and have no issues. Also, don't have any of the harnesses that have been discussed here.

Mckeerw · 01-06-2023, 09:44 AM

Will keep thread updated!

Mckeerw · 01-06-2023, 09:45 AM

Towbar completely flat

Mckeerw · 01-06-2023, 09:53 AM

Thats a good idea but I'll let Jeep go there since its brand new. It would give some clue about the pump vs. steering but of course would not be a solution. I did try it with the engine running but just in Neutral, not Neutral tow. It did the same thing. Between the AutoPark and AutoBrake systems, your battery disconnect idea is probably the only way to try it unpowered, or... pull the right fuse.

sramer · 01-06-2023, 11:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mckeerw

and the power steering is active as it is supposed to be. The steering wheel can easily be turned all the way manually at any time during the turn.

Rereading your post and maybe I am misunderstanding but when you say the power steering is active, are you saying that after the final step of putting the Transmission in park then pushing the ignition switch twice with your foot off the brake, that you can turn the steering wheel with no effort.

If so, the power steering should not be active, just the steering column unlocked enabling the steering wheel to be turned but without power assist.

The power steering is electric not hydraulic and it would be possible for it to be active with out the engine running but if it is active then there is something wrong.

Mckeerw · 01-07-2023, 02:18 AM

sramer: you may be onto something. My electric power steering stays on after following the neutral tow steps. But... the steps in the owners manual do not exactly work as specified in practice.

Step 11 says to have transmission and transfer case in N, push and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button until the engine turns off. Ensure vehicle is in RUN position with the engine off. CHECK...DONE.

Step 12 says to "place the transmission gear selector in PARK, Release the brake pedal". What actually happens at the end of step 11 is the transmission automatically moves from N to P.

Then down to the last step, #15 says "Push the ENGINE START/STOP button twice (without pressing the brake pedal) to turn the ignition to the OFF position". But... if you push the button twice, it turns the ignition off with the first push, then right back on with the second. So I have been pushing it once again to turn the ignition off. At this point the steering is active. Are you saying it should not be active?

Dodge Guy · 01-07-2023, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mckeerw

sramer: you may be onto something. My electric power steering stays on after following the neutral tow steps. But... the steps in the owners manual do not exactly work as specified in practice.

Step 11 says to have transmission and transfer case in N, push and hold the ENGINE START/STOP button until the engine turns off. Ensure vehicle is in RUN position with the engine off. CHECK...DONE.

Step 12 says to "place the transmission gear selector in PARK, Release the brake pedal". What actually happens at the end of step 11 is the transmission automatically moves from N to P.

Then down to the last step, #15 says "Push the ENGINE START/STOP button twice (without pressing the brake pedal) to turn the ignition to the OFF position". But... if you push the button twice, it turns the ignition off with the first push, then right back on with the second. So I have been pushing it once again to turn the ignition off. At this point the steering is active. Are you saying it should not be active?

Nothing on the dash should be lit up. Once the trans is shifted to park, the engine should be shut off. The old push button start/stop required to pushes to turn on. The new system needs only one push. And the PS should not be active after you turn the ignition off.

markpj23 · 01-07-2023, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dodge Guy

Nothing on the dash should be lit up. Once the trans is shifted to park, the engine should be shut off. The old push button start/stop required to pushes to turn on. The new system needs only one push. And the PS should not be active after you turn the ignition off.

Is this because they have changed the steering system in response to the 'death wobble' issue? If the steering is still electric it may have to be active, as our '21 GC does with the towing harness solution provided by Jeep.

Mckeerw · 01-07-2023, 08:59 PM

Dealer Tech supposed to get back to me Monday after contacting a few sources.

Dodge Guy · 01-09-2023, 07:35 AM

I just happen to be a tech at a Jeep dealer. I don’t see any type of harness needed for flat towing. Just follow the steps and all should be good. As long as the dash is off and the start button (off) is lit up then you should be good to go. Didn’t see anything special or extra that needs to be done!