Servicing the Electronic Shift Module on the Jeep SRT8


Preview ImageSo the popular issue with the ESM popped up on my Jeep the other day, I read up a bunch of stuff on this post and decided to tackle the cleaning myself. I scanned the car prior to this and it threw the code U0103 (Lost Communication with Gear Shift Control Module “A”). The fix took me just a little over an hour working in near surgical conditions, and I am sure if I had to do it again – it can be done in under an hour.

Removing the trim is the first part (didn't use any tools at all for this). Use your nails and carefully pry up the chrome bezel around the shifter portion by portion. You will mangle your trim if you use a flat head or something like that.

The larger silver trim around the shifter comes out also without the use of any tool, carefully pry it all up and make sure not to scratch any of it.

After everything is exposed you can remove the four Torx screws (two are hidden under the cell phone holder).

The shifter knob is a little tricky, but once you get it off the first time its super easy. The bottom of it is actually a locking ring, turn it counter clockwise 90°. Then slide it up to remove. NOTE: if its just not budging try moving around the lock-ring in different spots until it pops off. Here is an awesome diagram on how to do it.

It's a good time to pull out the rubber cup holders as well to get them cleaned out. (I cleaned the bezels and all the stuff at home in warm water).

Always try working in super clean conditions on things such as these. I removed the static from my hands by touching some bare metal before I began working on it.

Remove the two smaller Torx screws to get the faceplate separated from the electronic portion.

Remove the dust cover (careful since its lightly greased), then remove the light channel.

Use a super thin flat head and carefully pry (easy to break these) open the plastic clips on the sides.

Carefully undo the small clips on the dust cover guide, and proceed to lift upward on the top portion.

The electronic board that we have been trying to get to is held on by one super small Torx screw. I never ended up finding the right tool at home for this, but a tiny flat-head screwdriver did the job great (make sure you don't strip the screw..).

The following electronic “brushes” are ultra gentle be super careful when cleaning them.

I used clean Q-Tips and some hospital grade rubbing alcohol (as advised by my dad who knows his stuff in electronics far better then me). After cleaning, I used the other tip of the Q-Tip to dry off.

Here is what the board looks like, the next step is to clean the black paths in the same fashion as the brushes.

Just look at how dirty they were!

Much cleaner, no dirt grooves – looks new!

The only thing that confused me on the assembly stage, where the small dust cover goes. Decided to show how it slides in.

Assemble in reverse and you are done. Congrats you just saved like $700 on this “non-serviceable” part..


Categories: Cars, Grand Cherokee, Jeep, SRT8

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