AUX Battery Replacement Experience and FYI

[ShadowsPapa]

My experience was similar with the start/stop system ceasing to shut down the engine. I started by having my batteries checked at the dealer. They told me no problem. I am guessing they hit the batteries once with a check. I then went to a third party for a battery check, they showed 98% the first two hits and then the batteries dropped to %27 on the third hit. So I installed new batteries.

Not sure what you mean by "hit" - that's not how a battery is properly checked, but whatever - you got new batteries.
Dealerships must follow a multiple page document on battery checking. A specific piece of equipment is required, connected to the internet back to FCA. If the batteries are below a certain level or state of charge, they must charge them to get them up to a minimum.

Not a fan of parts store testing - but it's what people use these days.
Also not liking how they check both by connecting to the main battery - meh, no, you disconnect the batteries from each other and test each battery, not like most parts stores where they put their tiny hand-held device on the main battery and test. Not good way.
When you say "batteries", I'm guessing no one removed cables, so they really weren't testing things correctly.

I really hope you charged the new batteries before installation.

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[GCHunter]

I should have said "checked the battery" instead of hit. I am not sure how the dealer does it; it was all behind closed doors. They just brought out a small printout showing 98%. The 3rd party I visited was a local shop specializing in automobile electrical systems. I am happy with the outcome.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I should have said "checked the battery" instead of hit. I am not sure how the dealer does it; it was all behind closed doors. They just brought out a small printout showing 98%. The 3rd party I visited was a local shop specializing in automobile electrical systems. I am happy with the outcome.

That's what counts......

 

[Verne]

My experience was similar with the start/stop system ceasing to shut down the engine. I started by having my batteries checked at the dealer. They told me no problem. I am guessing they hit the batteries once with a check. I then went to a third party for a battery check, they showed 98% the first two hits and then the batteries dropped to %27 on the third hit. So I installed new batteries.

I elected to do just the AUX at the dealer given the effort of accessing it. I think I am going to go to a part store to swap out the main.

 

[Verne]

I should have said "checked the battery" instead of hit. I am not sure how the dealer does it; it was all behind closed doors. They just brought out a small printout showing 98%. The 3rd party I visited was a local shop specializing in automobile electrical systems. I am happy with the outcome.

Yep, exact same experience. Dealer actually tried to talk me out of replacing it. Which I felt was them trying to be honest. I do appreciate that, but I went for it anyway.

 

[bd100]

Last winter I did both the night before we were due for some sub-zero days. In the dark, in the rain, from below. Misery. Next time I think I'll get the Genesis thing which puts the AUX above the fuse box, but I don't really like how much room their main tray takes.

 

[IamPro2A]

There's a lot easier and a lot cheaper ways.
Many of us don't need the double-capacity battery setup, the space it takes and the massive crazy money they get for the mounting and brackets.
OVERKILL for most people.
A lot easier to put in a massive, high quality main battery that equals the capacity of the two combined and just leave out the aux and pull a fuse.

Explain why 3/4 of us would ever benefit from a thousands dollar dual battery setup when most Jeeps do great on one.
You can drop in a nice lithium battery with management built in and never worry about running out of power to start the engine.
Fraction of the cost, no complexity at all.

I do need to research those single battery solutions. Still on both my original 4yr old batteries. It's not a matter of if at this point, it's a matter of when. Got a preferred solution? I would trust your recommendation here more than just about any other forum member.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

did you or have you considered the genesis dual battery setup? Im interested in this 'upgrade' but it is an expensive upgrade vs changing out batteries.

I have a 2021 as well, still on both original batteries, my start/stop still works too.

I would highly advise to leave well enough alone. Not sure how many miles, but original batteries at 4 years old, without any issues bat related or not, leave it be, just be ready to replace when the time comes.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

As far as batteries go, has anyone removed both main and aux batteries, then make room for two 6 volt batteries hooked up in series to make 12v, but have more amps available than the two original batteries together.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I do need to research those single battery solutions. Still on both my original 4yr old batteries. It's not a matter of if at this point, it's a matter of when. Got a preferred solution? I would trust your recommendation here more than just about any other forum member.

I'm more of a "leave, but pay attention" person. I watch battery voltage (checking while driving, and if it sits, I check voltage now and then to see if they need topped off with a BatteryMinder)

As far as batteries go, has anyone removed both main and aux batteries, then make room for two 6 volt batteries hooked up in series to make 12v, but have more amps available than the two original batteries together.

Now you are complicating things - and really done if one battery craps out - totally done. If one of the 12s goes to heck, you are normally still fine.
But batteries in series are another animal.

If I were doing anything - I'd simply get the largest capacity 112v batteries I could fit into the physical space.

Even tractors use multiple 12v batteries, not multiple 6 volt batteries.

 

[Jessem]

posting this because the battery was where I started. Can-c star connector!!!! All the off roading i have done didn't take my gladiator down but a couple of extra napkins in the glove box creates random and evolving electrical issues

 

[Chaos Theory]

Since reading the thread that included trickle-charging the battery via the trailer plug, which I am now doing, my auto start/stop works flawlessly all the time. My conclusion is that there is so much residual/vampire draw on the batteries when not being used that the batteries are rarely ever above the level that would allow start/stop.

Unfortunately, the first 2 1/2 years I've had this Jeep it wasn't trickle charged, so the batteries likely dropped quite a bit, consistently, which isn't good for them. The Jeep sits for a week or more between uses in the summer, when I'm almost entirely motorcycle.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

posting this because the battery was where I started. Can-c star connector!!!! All the off roading i have done didn't take my gladiator down but a couple of extra napkins in the glove box creates random and evolving electrical issues

That connector array has caused more spooks, ghosts and goblins for Jeep owners than almost anything else.
Weird codes, CANbus communication or lack of, that's a place to START, IMO.

 

[SimonH]

My aux was dead, and start/did not work.
Stop yes, but it never started up alone.
And the car did not start after being parked for more than 3 days.

aux was replaced, all issues gone, can park ir 2 weeks and will start, as well as start/stop works as soon as engine is warmed up and ambient temp allows it….

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My aux was dead, and start/did not work.
Stop yes, but it never started up alone.
And the car did not start after being parked for more than 3 days.

aux was replaced, all issues gone, can park ir 2 weeks and will start, as well as start/stop works as soon as engine is warmed up and ambient temp allows it….

Did you at least CHECK the main battery, and charge both and reset the IBS in the process?

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