Auto stop, worst idea ever just got worse.

[DylanM]

Maybe I’ll date myself, I wish the hi/low beams were still on the floor. I’ve lost count of the times that I accidentally kicked on a blinker when trying to dim my headlights.

The dimmer switch on the stalk versus the floor doesn't bother me much, but I sure do miss my wind wings.

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[ShadowsPapa]

And the next modification on the truck is buying JScan and shutting off ESS permanently.

No can do. No software can disable it. Even tazer doesn't really disable it - it simply sends a "I pushed the button" signal to the PCM after each restart. In other words, tazer presses the button for you.
It's not a choice you can turn on or off in software.
JSCAN actually pulls other tricks to try to tell it the system isn't ready for ESS - that there's problems and reasons ESS shouldn't operate, generating other problems. It can't actually disable it.

If it’s any consolation, these starters are built for a lot of starts/restarts; my hope is that these starters will not need replaced.

Maybe I’ll date myself, I wish the hi/low beams were still on the floor. I’ve lost count of the times that I accidentally kicked on a blinker when trying to dim my headlights.

Starters will be fine. ESS has been in Jeeps since the 2016 model year - some of those have way over 100,000 miles with no starter issues.

As far as dimmers - try having your foot on the clutch, shifting, and the someone pops around a corner or around a bend or over a hill and you have your foot on the clutch or are otherwise busy shifting. I don't miss that floor-mounted dimmer switch and the constantly having to fix or replace them, poor connections due to the grit and water and salt getting into the switch or connections.
I grew up with those things and i don't miss 'em one bit. Was thrilled when I got my first car with a stalk-mounted dimmer.
For my JT - auto high beam is the answer. I've not have to use the dimmer in years.

 

[MattK]

I'm on three and a half years on the same batteries off the lot with 27k miles. The ESS rarely works because it mostly says it's charging. When I do go on long trips out to the desert the trip is long enough to charge it up to a level it will work for a while but then back around town the charge gets too low, but I've never had any of these issues people are having and I just gave up on pushing the button to turn it off within the first six months. "You win!" ?

I'm sure I'll need some batteries at some point but so far, I think I'm on the more lucky side of this issue and all I've done is let the system do its thing for the most part.

 

[Billkowski]

My only regret on my Mojave is the lack of the etorque, I have it on my 21 JL and it is seamless.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I'm on three and a half years on the same batteries off the lot with 27k miles. The ESS rarely works because it mostly says it's charging. When I do go on long trips out to the desert the trip is long enough to charge it up to a level it will work for a while but then back around town the charge gets too low, but I've never had any of these issues people are having and I just gave up on pushing the button to turn it off within the first six months. "You win!" ?

I'm sure I'll need some batteries at some point but so far, I think I'm on the more lucky side of this issue and all I've done is let the system do its thing for the most part.

I got three and a half years out of my original Main battery, and four years out of the Aux battery. The ESS charging message is the warning sign. One of the batteries is picking up the slack for the other one. Eventually, one of them will get bad enough that you end up in a no start situation.

In the meantime, disconnect both batteries and fully charge each one with a good AGM charger. Reset the IBS (disconnect it for ten minutes) and put it all back together. This will extend the life a little bit and delay the eventual replacement that will be required.

 

[RIPLER]

I bought my JTR in May 2019 and I'm still on my original aux battery and I replaced my main a few months ago. My wife's JLU that we bought in May 2020, it's had both batteries replaced twice and the SS not available message started again a few weeks ago.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I'm on three and a half years on the same batteries off the lot with 27k miles. The ESS rarely works because it mostly says it's charging. When I do go on long trips out to the desert the trip is long enough to charge it up to a level it will work for a while but then back around town the charge gets too low, but I've never had any of these issues people are having and I just gave up on pushing the button to turn it off within the first six months. "You win!" ?

I'm sure I'll need some batteries at some point but so far, I think I'm on the more lucky side of this issue and all I've done is let the system do its thing for the most part.

That's really pretty good - 3 1/2 years on a battery in a modern vehicle.

My only regret on my Mojave is the lack of the etorque, I have it on my 21 JL and it is seamless.

48 volt starter/generator. But it has a regular starter for cold starts.
It's a mini-hybrid system in very real ways.

In the meantime, disconnect both batteries and fully charge each one with a good AGM charger. Reset the IBS (disconnect it for ten minutes) and put it all back together. This will extend the life a little bit and delay the eventual replacement that will be required.

That's what I did on my 2020 several months before trading it - never had any more issues after that. Everything worked fine all the time. Not sure how it worked out for the next guy, but it was likely fine for at least a while.

I bought my JTR in May 2019 and I'm still on my original aux battery and I replaced my main a few months ago. My wife's JLU that we bought in May 2020, it's had both batteries replaced twice and the SS not available message started again a few weeks ago.

If it says simply "not available" and not "battery charging" with that message, then there's possibly something else going on.........
If both new batteries were not fully properly charged BEFORE installation and the IBS reset tat that time - all bets are off.
Too many people put batteries in without first charging them, and that's never been a good idea, especially worse on newer vehicles.

Starters will be fine. ESS has been in Jeeps since the 2016 model year - some of those have way over 100,000 miles with no starter issues.

To add some clarification to that - the ESS system was released in 2015 for the 2016 model year in Grand Cherokee and at least another FCA vehicle or two.
That means that it's been out there since fall of 2015.
This being 2023 means that ESS has been out on Jeep vehicles for 8 years.
Figuring the number of Grand Cherokees with the 3.6 that have been sold from the 2016 model year to date, and figuring some of those have 12,000 miles/year if not more........... figure the hundreds of thousands of moles those systems have gone.

 

[RHINO79]

This sorry ass piece of shit invention was as delightful as a hemorrhoid when it worked perfectly, now at 10,000 miles it decided to start malfuntioning. First it was just the dash light but now it sometimes stalls me out when it jars to life. Can't get into the dealer for another 10 days, how many of you guys have or are currently enjoying this? Anyone know what actually causes this problem and what to expect?

Agree ? %

 

[Mightytalldude]

About 3 1/2 and 4 years for both our JT and JLU main battery to die with 64k and 36k mileage respectively. We replaced the aux at the same time with both so everything was fresh. If you use a Tazer to disable it, it's pretty much the same thing as pressing the dash button. Once the system detects enough battery loss on a start stop cycle, it'll disable it and throw the light. Too many variables to narrow to one, but check connectors, be sure all fuses are seated fully and have the battery checked with a tester at an auto parts store for free. When you go to replace the aux battery, buy 10 fender clips prior, and replace them all while you're there, as you'll break a few when removing that fender.

 

[Lost1wing]

I got three and a half years out of my original Main battery, and four years out of the Aux battery. The ESS charging message is the warning sign. One of the batteries is picking up the slack for the other one. Eventually, one of them will get bad enough that you end up in a no start situation.

In the meantime, disconnect both batteries and fully charge each one with a good AGM charger. Reset the IBS (disconnect it for ten minutes) and put it all back together. This will extend the life a little bit and delay the eventual replacement that will be required.

Exactly what to do! Note you will lose some items from your radio display for a day or so. Don't panic for up to 48hrs with a good signal ( not in the garage).

 

[ShadowsPapa]

About 3 1/2 and 4 years for both our JT and JLU main battery to die with 64k and 36k mileage respectively. We replaced the aux at the same time with both so everything was fresh. If you use a Tazer to disable it, it's pretty much the same thing as pressing the dash button. Once the system detects enough battery loss on a start stop cycle, it'll disable it and throw the light. Too many variables to narrow to one, but check connectors, be sure all fuses are seated fully and have the battery checked with a tester at an auto parts store for free. When you go to replace the aux battery, buy 10 fender clips prior, and replace them all while you're there, as you'll break a few when removing that fender.

You don't need to remove the fender at all, just the rear of the liner. Forum members have gone in with only turning the wheels to the left and pulling back the rear of the liner, leaving the fender in place.

Don't let a parts store tests the batteries unless you already removed and charged them. They are clueless as to proper procedures.

 

[RHINO79]

That's really pretty good - 3 1/2 years on a battery in a modern vehicle.


48 volt starter/generator. But it has a regular starter for cold starts.
It's a mini-hybrid system in very real ways.


That's what I did on my 2020 several months before trading it - never had any more issues after that. Everything worked fine all the time. Not sure how it worked out for the next guy, but it was likely fine for at least a while.



If it says simply "not available" and not "battery charging" with that message, then there's possibly something else going on.........
If both new batteries were not fully properly charged BEFORE installation and the IBS reset tat that time - all bets are off.
Too many people put batteries in without first charging them, and that's never been a good idea, especially worse on newer vehicles.



To add some clarification to that - the ESS system was released in 2015 for the 2016 model year in Grand Cherokee and at least another FCA vehicle or two.
That means that it's been out there since fall of 2015.
This being 2023 means that ESS has been out on Jeep vehicles for 8 years.
Figuring the number of Grand Cherokees with the 3.6 that have been sold from the 2016 model year to date, and figuring some of those have 12,000 miles/year if not more........... figure the hundreds of thousands of moles those systems have gone.

My blue top Optima from 2005 is still working good on the pontoon boat, disconnect at the end of the year and it sits in the cold till spring. ?

 

[RHINO79]

Thanks to everyone for the help, and it's definitely not due to lack of driving, It's very rare I don't drive into the city every day and that's 35 miles round trip at least. As for the people complaining about me trashing the system, I hate these fucking bullshit things even if they aren't technically "failing" I don't believe for a second they make a bit of difference to the environment and even if they have a slight effect they are so annoying I don't care, if that makes me a monster so be it.

Once again, agree ? %

 

[RHINO79]

No can do. No software can disable it. Even tazer doesn't really disable it - it simply sends a "I pushed the button" signal to the PCM after each restart. In other words, tazer presses the button for you.
It's not a choice you can turn on or off in software.
JSCAN actually pulls other tricks to try to tell it the system isn't ready for ESS - that there's problems and reasons ESS shouldn't operate, generating other problems. It can't actually disable it.


Starters will be fine. ESS has been in Jeeps since the 2016 model year - some of those have way over 100,000 miles with no starter issues.

As far as dimmers - try having your foot on the clutch, shifting, and the someone pops around a corner or around a bend or over a hill and you have your foot on the clutch or are otherwise busy shifting. I don't miss that floor-mounted dimmer switch and the constantly having to fix or replace them, poor connections due to the grit and water and salt getting into the switch or connections.
I grew up with those things and i don't miss 'em one bit. Was thrilled when I got my first car with a stalk-mounted dimmer.
For my JT - auto high beam is the answer. I've not have to use the dimmer in years.

Used to do it all the time.

 

[kennyglm]

I installed a tazer and problem solved

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