Aux battery question

[Viking Gladiator]

Hello,
2021 Gladiator HA Edition, 31,000 miles. I bought used at 30,000 miles last month. So far everything is fine and love it.
Question, I know all about the Aux battery issues when it goes bad. My question is 2 fold
1. I use the button on the dash to disable the ESS function when driving. Does that prevent it from being used / recharged ( kinda like excercing a generator?
2. Is this something I should just replace along with the primary as a preventative maintenance item ( like every 3 years as an example).
So many horror stories about when it fails, etc.. thanks for any advice

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[sharpsicle]

Hello,
2021 Gladiator HA Edition, 31,000 miles. I bought used at 30,000 miles last month. So far everything is fine and love it.
Question, I know all about the Aux battery issues when it goes bad. My question is 2 fold
1. I use the button on the dash to disable the ESS function when driving. Does that prevent it from being used / recharged ( kinda like excercing a generator?
2. Is this something I should just replace along with the primary as a preventative maintenance item ( like every 3 years as an example).
So many horror stories about when it fails, etc.. thanks for any advice

1.) No. The aux battery is still part of the system, wired in parallel with the main. The ESS button isn't a 'disconnect' button.
2.) It's generally seen as a good practice to replace the aux and main at the same time.

 

[Viking Gladiator]

Yes, plan to do them both, is 3 year mark about the time I should just replace them? It is a daily driver so it does not sit for long periods, etc..

 

[Fundamental Jeepster]

I hope you enjoy your truck as much as I've enjoyed mine. I have never had an issue with either of my batteries. My truck is a 2020 and the batteries are the original ones from the factory. I disable the ESS everytime I drive my truck. Haven't had a problem yet. When I replace the batteries I'll replace both. Good luck.

 

[Viking Gladiator]

Thank you

 

[sharpsicle]

Yes, plan to do them both, is 3 year mark about the time I should just replace them? It is a daily driver so it does not sit for long periods, etc..

I mean, they seem like they tend to start to go bad around that point, but if you're asking if you should replace them now even if they show no signs of an issue, that's up to you. There's no hard and fast rule on that, batteries typically only get replaced when they go bad.

 

[Viking Gladiator]

Thank you,

 

[Mr._Bill]

The ESS system is always on and active, it cannot be disabled or removed. The button on the dash only prevents the engine from turning off when ESS calls for it. Whether or not ESS is allowed has no effect on charging or battery life.

The two batteries are paralleled together all the time, except during the startup test and during ESS events. When it starts showing signs of battery failure, it is best to replace both of them. The most common sign is the Aux Switches or ESS Unavailable messages.

The average life expectancy of the batteries is about three years. If the truck is driven enough daily to keep the batteries charged, they can last longer. The quality of the factory installed batteries is not consistent, some of them have shorter lives.

I got three and a half years out of the factory installed Main Battery, and four years out of the Aux Battery.

 

[Viking Gladiator]

Thank you for the information, appreciate it.
I think of I don't have any issues prior, I will just change them both out every 3-4 years with HD batteries. Jeep is driven daily for 20+ miles usually.

 

[Flyboy2109]

If you disable ESS then why not buy the memory chip that keeps it disabled and remove the aus batt completely? No more worries.

 

[shoxpro]

I have a 21' Sport S, with no problems at all except for the recall on the rear shaft axle seal which has been fixed by the dealer. My 36months warranty will expire next month. 2 weeks ago the ESS disable warning light showed up so I call the dealer and says its still ok to drive it as long as there is no Check engine light on because they are backed up and the next schedule is after 14 days. Been driving it everyday without problems, showing 13.8 to 14.2v give or take, until 3 days ago, they finally took care of it by changing both Aux and the Main battery $0 out of pocket. Just got lucky. Shows that around 3 years is the sweet spot. You might want to check the battery calender installed date code on top of the battery first, maybe it was changed., or to make sure and if you have the money, then just change both. I read some comments that after they change the batteries themselves, gremlins comes out. For me, especially with electrical, I would rather spend more on a certified dealer rather than having stress and problems later. Just my 2 cents.

 

[mike921921]

Mine has been dead for months. Did the N1/N2 (if I remember right, it's been a while). No catastrophes noted. Will pull the aux out when the primary dies and go Genesis.

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