Jeep JKU error code "Not in Park"

[TinMan Trvlr]

We frequently get an error message in our 2014 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara dash display stating "Vehicle Not in Park" at the end of performing the "shift transfer case to neutral, place auto trans in Park' when preparing to tow the Jeep 4 down. Despite re-doing the 'set up to tow 4 down' procedure in accordance with the Jeep Owners Manual several times as we are hooking the Jeep up to tow, this message often appears.

Is it common that others get this message?

What do we need to alter in our set up for towing procedure to avoid this message?

Will towing after having received this message damage the Jeep transmission?

[grtharris]

TinMan Trvlr, do you have the engine running, sounds like the park paw is not engaging all the way? Sometimes I get a little noise from the park paw going in when I move the shifter to park.

[corvettec3]

I get that message as well and just ignore it. I have now towed the Saraha 4500 miles without issues.

[wa8yxm]

It might be the parking pawl, it might be the Neutral/Park sensor switch.

The latter can be adjusted.

on the former.. The Pawl is a pin, it engages a gear inside the transmission, there is a chance the pawl will hit top dead center on a tooth, in which case it can not fall into the slot. and engage, Running the process again should move the gear. Possible just shifting to Neutral and back to Park will do it,

[osok]

Never received any error messages. If you are doing it step by step per owners manual, then take to dealer is my suggestion. May not be a problem but if so transmission is expensive repair.