Aux Battery Delete Attempt Fail

[GladiatorMax]

I attempted to delete the auxiliary battery on my 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Ecodiesel. I removed fuse 42 and disconnected the negative terminal for the auxiliary battery (I made sure to disconnectthecable tagged for the aux battery). After I reconnected the negative terminal it tried to start but couldn't.

I reconnected the auxiliary battery and replaced fuse 42 and it starts just fine.

However, I have completely lost my Off Road Pages on my app screen (I use my front camera when pulling into my garage to keep from punching a hole in the wall).

So my questions are, why did my aux battery delete fail and what happened to my Off Road Pages?

Sponsored

 

[fourfa]

ORP is nothing to do with the aux batt. When you fully disconnect the batteries, it clears some memory bank. It takes some time for the onboard cell modem to get service, check in with the death star, and hear back that everything is OK. If the ORP doesn't come back after 24 hours (parked somewhere with cell signal) then you can start to worry. It's taken that long on mine.

 

[ZeeJay]

ORP is nothing to do with the aux batt. When you fully disconnect the batteries, it clears some memory bank. It takes some time for the onboard cell modem to get service, check in with the death star, and hear back that everything is OK. If the ORP doesn't come back after 24 hours (parked somewhere with cell signal) then you can start to worry. It's taken that long on mine.

Death Star

 

[sharpsicle]

I attempted to delete the auxiliary battery on my 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Ecodiesel. I removed fuse 42 and disconnected the negative terminal for the auxiliary battery (I made sure to disconnectthecable tagged for the aux battery). After I reconnected the negative terminal it tried to start but couldn't.

I reconnected the auxiliary battery and replaced fuse 42 and it starts just fine.

However, I have completely lost my Off Road Pages on my app screen (I use my front camera when pulling into my garage to keep from punching a hole in the wall).

So my questions are, why did my aux battery delete fail and what happened to my Off Road Pages?

Sounds like your main battery might need a charge/replacement. If things powered up, it was connected properly. If it attempted to start but couldn't, it's low on juice.

 

[GladiatorMax]

ORP is nothing to do with the aux batt. When you fully disconnect the batteries, it clears some memory bank. It takes some time for the onboard cell modem to get service, check in with the death star, and hear back that everything is OK. If the ORP doesn't come back after 24 hours (parked somewhere with cell signal) then you can start to worry. It's taken that long on mine.

Death star? Ok... well it's in the garage so hopefully tomorrow it will be normal.

 

[GladiatorMax]

Sounds like your main battery might need a charge/replacement. If things powered up, it was connected properly. If it attempted to start but couldn't, it's low on juice.

I was afraid of that. It hasn't been starting well the last two days, which is one of the reasons I wanted to disconnect the auxiliary battery. Thanks.

 

[sharpsicle]

I was afraid of that. It hasn't been starting well the last two days, which is one of the reasons I wanted to disconnect the auxiliary battery. Thanks.

From what you've described, the aux battery is actually healthier than the main.

Did you test either of the batteries before doing the bypass? Many people like to say "just bypass the aux" whenever an electrical issue crops up, but the truth is that it's just as likely to be a main problem.

 

[GladiatorMax]

From what you've described, the aux battery is actually healthier than the main.

Did you test either of the batteries before doing the bypass? Many people like to say "just bypass the aux" whenever an electrical issue crops up, but the truth is that it's just as likely to be a main problem.

No I didn't test it, all I have is a multi meter. I was having trouble starting so I, like you said, just assumed I should bypass the aux. I'll take it to my local AutoZone tomorrow after work. I'm assuming it would be better and cheaper than a stock battery.

 

[GeneralMaximus]

if it is indeed the main battery being weak, then this is the first time I’ve heard of the Aux battery actually helping to prevent you from being stranded with a dead battery. Maybe it is a good idea to keep the aux battery connected, afterall.

 

[Flyboy2109]

I have removed the aux batt completely. I pulled no fuses. The leads for the aux battery are connected to the main at the terminals. Yes, they reach, the negative barely. I'd been two years now with no problems. I'd post a picture but I am not in the same state as it is currently.

 

[adambowsky]

I have removed the aux batt completely. I pulled no fuses. The leads for the aux battery are connected to the main at the terminals.

Does that mean that your ESS will still work?

 

[Flyboy2109]

Does that mean that your ESS will still work?

In theory, yes, though I have a manual trans and it rarely triggered anyway.

I have used the electric memory switch wired under the dash and keep it ESS off. I am 68 years old, when my engine quits I think something is wrong. My Jeep remembers on it's own that I do not want ESS.

 

[rharr]

my take is to simply do the N3 jumper mod, and cut out all the extra wires. It's not so bad to do, just need a sharp razor to cut the wrapping around the wires and a bit of 8ga wire and lugs to make the jumper wire.

Then you just chase wires and unbolt them. pretty straight forward once you dig in.

 

[GladiatorMax]

if it is indeed the main battery being weak, then this is the first time I’ve heard of the Aux battery actually helping to prevent you from being stranded with a dead battery. Maybe it is a good idea to keep the aux battery connected, afterall.

I tested my main and it was indeed bad, so the aux must have been helping with starting.

As a matter of fact, after I disconnected the main, I needed to get back into the cab so I used the key and set off the alarm. I didn't realize I could still lock & unlock with the key fob with just the aux battery.

 

[SoK66]

I attempted to delete the auxiliary battery on my 2021 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon Ecodiesel. I removed fuse 42 and disconnected the negative terminal for the auxiliary battery (I made sure to disconnectthecable tagged for the aux battery). After I reconnected the negative terminal it tried to start but couldn't.

I reconnected the auxiliary battery and replaced fuse 42 and it starts just fine.

However, I have completely lost my Off Road Pages on my app screen (I use my front camera when pulling into my garage to keep from punching a hole in the wall).

So my questions are, why did my aux battery delete fail and what happened to my Off Road Pages?

Assuming everything was reconnected properly my first guess would be a depleted main battery. Get a charger on it for a few hours and see if it fires up.

Watching this and a couple other Forums it seems rather consistent that a marginal main battery can cause alternator overcharge, or high charge rate for long periods, which then causes weird electronic failures. Replacement of the main battery seems to cure all the ills. My ‘23 Willys sat on the dealer lot for about four months and I expect the aux battery will soon start to fade.

Sponsored