🚨 2017 Jeep Cherokee: Emergency Neutral
The 2017 Cherokee uses a conventional center console PRNDL shifter with electronic shift lock controlled by the brake interlock system.
🧰 Drafted with AI under the editorial review of Chris Hackleman & Jeff Moore — cross-check against your owner’s manual when possible.
⚠️ Chock the wheels first — neutral means the car can roll. Set the parking brake while you work, never stand downhill of the vehicle, and try a 12-volt jump before any override: power fixes most stuck-in-park problems instantly.
The procedure
- Ensure the parking brake is firmly engaged and the vehicle is on level ground or properly chocked
- Turn the ignition to the ACC or ON position if possible (this may restore power to the shift lock solenoid)
- Locate the shift lock override access: it is a small rectangular cap/cover on the center console directly to the LEFT of the shifter base, toward the driver's side
- Use a small flathead screwdriver or trim tool to carefully pry off the override cap
- Press firmly down on the shift lock release button inside the access hole with the screwdriver while simultaneously moving the shifter out of Park
- If battery is completely dead and ignition cannot be turned on, you may need to apply a temporary 12V power source to the vehicle (jump pack to battery terminals) to energize the shift lock solenoid, then follow steps 2-5
- Once in Neutral, the vehicle can be moved; keep the override depressed if you need to shift back to Park
Shift-lock override location
Small rectangular cap on center console directly to the left of the shifter base (driver's side of shifter)
With zero electrical power
With zero power, the ignition cannot be turned to ACC/ON and the shift lock solenoid remains engaged. You must provide temporary 12V power (jump pack or jumper cables to battery terminals) to energize the system enough to turn the ignition on, which allows the override release to function. Alternatively, some technicians have accessed the solenoid connector under the console to manually bypass it, but this requires partial console disassembly.