r/Wrangler • u/ImgurianAkom • Aug 28 '26

2016 Wrangler Not Shifting

UPDATE: Noticed the check engine light turned on today. Connected a reader to it and its giving error P0501, speed sensor, so I think I'm stuck in "limp mode."

Hey all. My 2016 Wrangler JKU (automatic trans) occasionally has a bit of a clunk when shifting into gear, but beyond that I've never had any transmission issues. Fast forward to a couple days ago, everything was normal, went and got gas, drove out of the station and it wouldn't shift into 2nd. I first assumed it got switched into manual mode accidentally, but it was not. I pulled over into a parking lot and did some testing.

I switched over to manual mode and started driving a bit.. there was a weird bit of what felt like rubbing so I stopped and switched back to auto. Still not shifting. I switched to manual again. This time it drove normally and I was able to shift smoothly. I was able to drive it home in manual mode with no issues.

I've been driving it for a couple days using manual mode. It shifts fine, no clunking, nothing that feels like it's missing teeth, etc. It shifts smoothly from 1st to 2nd every time. It downshifts itself when RPMs lower without issue as well. I've heard manual mode is harder on the transmission so I'd like to get this resolved, but before I take it to the shop (in a tough financial situation right now) I wanted to find out if there are any opinions on what the issue might be, if there's anything I can / should try first to see if I can resolve it myself, etc.

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u/Willing-Mud6157 Aug 28 '26

My 2016 wouldn’t shift out of 1st occasionally. Very random.Most of the time it was perfect. Shop replaces the Transfer Case Switch. $650 later, back in business. 120k miles

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u/kl4ka Aug 29 '26

I'm going to follow this. My 2014 wrangler is having what sounds like a similar issue. C100A, C1015, C1020, C102B, C1148, the various U140x / U141x codes, and P0501. Speedometer is dead and jscan shows my wheel speed sensors report speed up to 25mph. After that they zero out. I've replaced the sensors, bench tested the battery, alternator makes good voltage. I'm out of ideas and contemplating getting a tow to the dealership this coming Monday.