2020 Gladiator randomly not starting even after replacing both batteries and starter?

[Theh8er]

So after doing a bunch of research on my own and the mechanic agreeing the aux battery was bad as was the primary they were changed. The starter was replaced as well. The starter was covered under my warranty so I wasn't that concerned. The issue even after all this is the truck randomly still doesn't start. Sometimes with the push button and sometimes with the remote start. The only thing left that we noticed is the center brake light (bed door) isn't working but my tail lights are as well as the brake lights on them as well as my rear camera. I'm thinking there's a short or ground issue somewhere as all the relays passed testing as well. The alternator is fine as well. I am hoping its not the BCM but it could be a wiring issue from the BCM I guess or even possibly something else connected to it like PCM but I think that's unlikely. I guess my question is has anyone had a similar issue after replacing the batteries and even the starter? Been a while since I posted on here but I figured if I'd find some help it might be here! If it is short or ground issue where would you start looking first. I'm sure my mechanic has an idea but I'd like to hear anyone else's experience like this or ideas on where to start looking for the short or ground issue. I drove this truck off the lot at the end of 2020 and its been solid and it only has 12500 miles on it as I have a company vehicle and my wifes car so I chalked up the battery issues simply to time. I really only drive it around locally and the occasional family outdoor trip. It doesn't have many miles but rarely sits for more than a day without being used. I hate to do it but its been almost a week and half of this troubleshooting and leaning towards selling it after its fixed as this has left a sour taste in my mouth as my mechanic said its not uncommon for these to have electrical issues. Not that it matters but I put some money into it, rims and 35 inch tires and 3in Mopar lift kit and love the truck but I'm not looking to continually have electrical issues after this So its important to hear from others if anyone has had similar issues and how the truck was after it was fixed. Was it a snowball effect and led to more electrical issues or a one off and all was good for a long time after? Thanks in advance!

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[gonemad]

I’m adding paragraphs for your readers...

So after doing a bunch of research ion my own and the mechanic agreeing the aux battery was bad as was the primary they were changed. The starter was replaced as well. The starter was covered under my warranty so I wasn't that concerned.

The issue even after all this is the truck randomly still doesn't start. Sometimes with the push button and sometimes with the remote start. The only thing left that we noticed is the center brake light isn't working but my tail lights are as well as the brake lights on them as well as my rear camera. I'm thinking there's a short or ground issue somewhere as all the relays passed testing as well. The alternator is fine as well. I am hoping its not the BCM but it could be a wiring issue from the BCM I guess or even possibly something else connected to it like PCM but I think that's unlikely.

I guess my question is has anyone had a similar issue after replacing the batteries and even the starter?

Been a while since I posted on here but I figured if I'd find some help it might be here! If it is short or ground issue where would you start looking first. I'm sure my mechanic has an idea but I'd like to hear anyone else's experience like this or ideas on where to start looking for the short or ground issue.

I drove this truck off the lot at the end of 2020 and its been solid and it only has 12500 miles on it as I have a company vehicle and my wifes car so I chalked up the battery issues simply to time. I really only drive it around locally and the occasional family outdoor trip. It doesn't have many miles but rarely sits for more than a day without being used.

I hate to do it but its been almost a week and half of this troubleshooting and leaning towards selling it after its fixed as this has left a sour taste in my mouth as my mechanic said its not uncommon for these to have electrical issues. Not that it matters but I put 20's with 35 inch tires and 3 in Mopar lift kit and love the truck but I'm not looking to continually have electrical issues after this so its important to hear from others if anyone has had similar issues and how the truck was after it was fixed. Was it a snowball effect and led to more electrical issues or a one off and all was good for a long time after? Thanks in advnace!

 

[Theh8er]

I’m adding paragraphs for your readers...

LOL Thanks.

 

[Stan H]

Has anyone checked the main frame ground where both batteries are grounded? After 5 years and alot of setting I would look to corrosion at this point as a cause. The ESS system must be functional and the batteries up for the remote start to kick in. Also the 2 hood switches under the hood I have had trouble with sticking and some WD-40& working them up and down took care of that as well.

 

[Hootbro]

I would not even begin to offer advice without seeing it myself. They shotgun a starter is all I can tell you.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

The batteries were replaced - were they charged first?
A couple of thoughts -
Using a volt meter check the battery voltage.
Depending on the clown who worked on it, it's possible they didn't follow protocol and blew one of the high current fuses.

Otherwise, I'm going to have to copy and paste the original message into Libre Writer and try to see what info I can glean from the post.........

 

[DylanM]

Short and sweet summary of the wall of words is as follows:
- Problem is a random no start condition that occurs with either the dash button or remote start.
- Only other noted issue is the tailgate's third brake light is inop.
- Both batteries and the starter have been replaced.
- Truck is driven almost daily, albeit mainly for short local trips.
- OP is concerned about long term reliability due to perceived electrical issues with Jeeps.

My knee jerk reaction to the information provided is the batteries are not getting properly charged due to the almost exclusive short trip usage of the truck, thus causing it to sometimes refuse to start. That aside, it would be useful to hear exactly what the truck actually does and doesn't do when one of these no start situations occur, as well as what is the normal/effective method of dealing with said issue. Is the truck completely dead with no response when this happens? Does it seem to turn on but the starter doesn't engage? Are there any error messages? Does simply jump starting always do the trick to get it going?

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Short and sweet summary of the wall of words is as follows:
- Problem is a random no start condition that occurs with either the dash button or remote start.
- Only other noted issue is the tailgate's third brake light is inop.
- Both batteries and the starter have been replaced.
- Truck is driven almost daily, albeit mainly for short local trips.
- OP is concerned about long term reliability due to perceived electrical issues with Jeeps.

My knee jerk reaction to the information provided is the batteries are not getting properly charged due to the almost exclusive short trip usage of the truck, thus causing it to sometimes refuse to start. That aside, it would be useful to hear exactly what the truck actually does and doesn't do when one of these no start situations occur, as well as what is the normal/effective method of dealing with said issue. Is the truck completely dead with no response when this happens? Does it seem to turn on but the starter doesn't engage? Are there any error messages? Does simply jump starting always do the trick to get it going?

Exactly.

It would also be nice to know the battery voltage at rest using a meter and not the dash.

 

[DZTXJeepster]

I had a similar problem with my 2020 gladiator. When I stopped for gas and couldn't get restarted, thankfully I was at a grocery store and was able to change battery in key fob. Been working fine every since then.

 

[Stan H]

I had a similar problem with my 2020 gladiator. When I stopped for gas and couldn't get restarted, thankfully I was at a grocery store and was able to change battery in key fob. Been working fine every since then.

If that is all it is is a small 2032 key fob battery I will have to knicker a little bit . But actually that happened to me at the house .
If the fob battery goes dead . Unlock the drivers door get in now place the fob against the start button panel for a few seconds then hit the brake and start button and it should start . Then replace the battery ASAP.

 

[Schaft]

So after doing a bunch of research on my own and the mechanic agreeing the aux battery was bad as was the primary they were changed. The starter was replaced as well. The starter was covered under my warranty so I wasn't that concerned. The issue even after all this is the truck randomly still doesn't start. Sometimes with the push button and sometimes with the remote start. The only thing left that we noticed is the center brake light (bed door) isn't working but my tail lights are as well as the brake lights on them as well as my rear camera. I'm thinking there's a short or ground issue somewhere as all the relays passed testing as well. The alternator is fine as well. I am hoping its not the BCM but it could be a wiring issue from the BCM I guess or even possibly something else connected to it like PCM but I think that's unlikely. I guess my question is has anyone had a similar issue after replacing the batteries and even the starter? Been a while since I posted on here but I figured if I'd find some help it might be here! If it is short or ground issue where would you start looking first. I'm sure my mechanic has an idea but I'd like to hear anyone else's experience like this or ideas on where to start looking for the short or ground issue. I drove this truck off the lot at the end of 2020 and its been solid and it only has 12500 miles on it as I have a company vehicle and my wifes car so I chalked up the battery issues simply to time. I really only drive it around locally and the occasional family outdoor trip. It doesn't have many miles but rarely sits for more than a day without being used. I hate to do it but its been almost a week and half of this troubleshooting and leaning towards selling it after its fixed as this has left a sour taste in my mouth as my mechanic said its not uncommon for these to have electrical issues. Not that it matters but I put some money into it, rims and 35 inch tires and 3in Mopar lift kit and love the truck but I'm not looking to continually have electrical issues after this So its important to hear from others if anyone has had similar issues and how the truck was after it was fixed. Was it a snowball effect and led to more electrical issues or a one off and all was good for a long time after? Thanks in advance!

Shadowspapa and Hootbro among others, have commented on the battery issue ad nauseam, so I’ll give them a break and say this. I’ll get to the brake light issue in a second. Sounds like you’re in the same boat as me, with the short trips and not allowing the batteries to recharge themselves. That coupled with the fact that they probably weren’t ever fully charged, in the first place. Until you get a battery tender, you’ll more than likely, continue to have the same issue. I’ll leave it at that. Many many posts for you to check out, on this Forum,
The brake light will have to be replaced, unless you can access the circuit board and re-solder it, if you can figure that out.
Here’s the option I took. It’s a bit pricey, but pretty cool. Here’s the link. There are plenty of places to purchase an OEM brake light, but what’s to say it doesn’t happen again.
Check out this video. Third brake light replacement gladiator
https://share.google/ypE5ai1kBLOzM5sXS

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Shadowspapa and Hootbro among others, have commented on the battery issue ad nauseam, so I’ll give them a break and say this. I’ll get to the brake light issue in a second. Sounds like you’re in the same boat as me, with the short trips and not allowing the batteries to recharge themselves. That coupled with the fact that they probably weren’t ever fully charged, in the first place. Until you get a battery tender, you’ll more than likely, continue to have the same issue. I’ll leave it at that. Many many posts for you to check out, on this Forum,
The brake light will have to be replaced, unless you can access the circuit board and re-solder it, if you can figure that out.
Here’s the option I took. It’s a bit pricey, but pretty cool. Here’s the link. There are plenty of places to purchase an OEM brake light, but what’s to say it doesn’t happen again.
Check out this video. Third brake light replacement gladiator
https://share.google/ypE5ai1kBLOzM5sXS

If I was out of warranty and that third light went goofy, I'd be torn - fix it myself (it's what I do anyway, electric work down to board level), or get a cool sequential replacement.

 

[Theh8er]

Shadowspapa and Hootbro among others, have commented on the battery issue ad nauseam, so I’ll give them a break and say this. I’ll get to the brake light issue in a second. Sounds like you’re in the same boat as me, with the short trips and not allowing the batteries to recharge themselves. That coupled with the fact that they probably weren’t ever fully charged, in the first place. Until you get a battery tender, you’ll more than likely, continue to have the same issue. I’ll leave it at that. Many many posts for you to check out, on this Forum,
The brake light will have to be replaced, unless you can access the circuit board and re-solder it, if you can figure that out.
Here’s the option I took. It’s a bit pricey, but pretty cool. Here’s the link. There are plenty of places to purchase an OEM brake light, but what’s to say it doesn’t happen again.
Check out this video. Third brake light replacement gladiator
https://share.google/ypE5ai1kBLOzM5sXS

Thanks for all the info. Ended up finding a loose ground that was also corroded . Once cleaned up tightened all good. Unfortunately with the useless auto stop/start these issues will continue

 

[Schaft]

Thanks for all the info. Ended up finding a loose ground that was also corroded . Once cleaned up tightened all good. Unfortunately with the useless auto stop/start these issues will continue

Is your third brake light working after the ground fix?

 

[Stan H]

Shadowspapa and Hootbro among others, have commented on the battery issue ad nauseam, so I’ll give them a break and say this. I’ll get to the brake light issue in a second. Sounds like you’re in the same boat as me, with the short trips and not allowing the batteries to recharge themselves. That coupled with the fact that they probably weren’t ever fully charged, in the first place. Until you get a battery tender, you’ll more than likely, continue to have the same issue. I’ll leave it at that. Many many posts for you to check out, on this Forum,
The brake light will have to be replaced, unless you can access the circuit board and re-solder it, if you can figure that out.
Here’s the option I took. It’s a bit pricey, but pretty cool. Here’s the link. There are plenty of places to purchase an OEM brake light, but what’s to say it doesn’t happen again.
Check out this video. Third brake light replacement gladiator
https://share.google/ypE5ai1kBLOzM5sXS

What is by definition a short trip ? Under 50miles ? 20,30,40 ???

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