Both Batteries Dead 2020 Gladiator $898 to replace!?!???

[IamPro2A]

Lot's of threads on it here.
Basically, when the small auxiliary battery goes, by the time you notice it's already taken out the main battery. While I'm sure the dealer also banged ya dry for list price on parts, there is a stupid amount of labor involved to change that aux battery. Especially at dealership labor rates. Take a look at where they shoved that thing. Basically your choices are take apart half the engine compartment, or remove the fender and go in that way.

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[hjdca]

Can someone enlighten me on this? Not very mechanically inclined, but man, do I feel like I’m getting shafted by the dealership.
Jeep won’t start, 2020 Glad, no mods, and it has 38k miles on it. (2kMike out of warranty?)
Attempt to jump start but the dash reads that the car is in 2H so it won’t start. But in fact it is not in gear, it’s been parked. I can’t get it “out of gear” so I can’t jump it. Have to get towed to the dealership. Whil waiting for the tow, I hear a very faint high pitched noise from under the hood? Very faint. It won’t quit when I disconnect the mail battery. It does quit when I pull a “larger” rectangular fuse. Put the fuse back and it continues to sound. Get towed and the dealer says they have to start with both batteries because they both aren’t passing the test and they are both failing. Both at the same time??? Then he tells me it $898 to replace both!?!!! On a two yr old vehicle!?!? $900 on batteries. And they won’t work with me on the 2k over the warranty. I have no choice. They put the batteries in and says the car tests fine. No issues??? I don’t believe it? Two batteries dead at once? In my mind there’s something else wrong with this car.
And, who makes those batteries? Is it Jeep? What’s the warranty on a battery? Even the cheapest batteries from Walmart have a warranty better than that. Can I go to Jeep customer service? Corporate? The battery manufacturer? I feel likeI got taken big time!
Any advice out there?? $900 is a tough pill to swallow. Thank you!

I just changed both of my batteries at 42K miles. I bought an Odyssey 94 group for the big one - around $350, and I had to buy the accessory battery from the dealer - $150. I could not find an aftermarket one in stock. Replacing it yourself is not that hard. There are videos on you tube on it. To replace the accessory battery, you have to lift out the fuse box. Here are some pics:

Note: My ESS has been turned off since zero miles. I have never used it. I knew my accessory battery was bad because my aux switches were not available in the morning. They would only work after the alternator got going. My big battery was still starting the JT, but, I noticed how slow it was turning over after I put in the new Odyssey battery -- which now turns over the motor super fast.

 

[jeepers29]

Has anyone installed the genisis 2 battery system with the aux switches? From the posted pic, it looks like it takes the space of where the wiring is at. thanks for any input. Also wondering if the genisis system would void warranty.

 

[SnazzGlad]

That’s a bummer man. I guess your Jeep is your daily so they had you between a rock and hard place to get you up and going again. Avoid that dealership if you can.

 

[tbaker]

It’s sad that Jeep or any other auto maker would put a battery where the auto stop start battery is on these gladiators undoubtably the engineers that come up with this crap has never changed out a battery before

 

[@californiajeeping]

It’s sad that Jeep or any other auto maker would put a battery where the auto stop start battery is on these gladiators undoubtably the engineers that come up with this crap has never changed out a battery before

the fing little motorcycle battery is just there to keep the float charge with engine off higher. Instead of upgrading the PCM to handle the drop in voltage they added a second battery during ESS events.

People have been completely removing them and bypassing them as a good main battery handles it fine.

 

[2TH MVR]

Mines got 51,000 miles on it and I haven't had any issues. A tech told me that sometimes if you don't use the ESS system and keep turning it off that the battery won't charge or something and that it was wise to let the system do it's thing. He said some of the issues they have saw is when people use weird ways to disable the ESS and then start having battery issues. I always let mine act as it should and never turn it off. Not sure how much truth there is in what the tech said but mines been fine.

Interesting. Makes sense. Here in Arizona. I run the AC ALOT (ESS always off with AC) and in the winter .... I've always disabled the ESS. Doesn't the alternator charge BOTH batteries?

Also. In the extreme Arizona heat. Batteries usually do not last for over 2-3 years before requiring replacement.

 

[Lost1wing]

I disconnect the negative of the main battery before disconnecting the fender ground cable. I had a no start condition. I wondered if the IBS just thought the main battery was dead due to the way it was disconnected. Never had that issue again by only disconnecting the fender ground.

Jeep did have a chip shortage like everyone else? Maybe the ECMs they put in are bad. I hate it that they blamed the issue on your modifications.

 

[PyrPatriot]

Mines got 51,000 miles on it and I haven't had any issues. A tech told me that sometimes if you don't use the ESS system and keep turning it off that the battery won't charge or something and that it was wise to let the system do it's thing. He said some of the issues they have saw is when people use weird ways to disable the ESS and then start having battery issues. I always let mine act as it should and never turn it off. Not sure how much truth there is in what the tech said but mines been fine.

Interesting. I am at over 55k miles and almost always turn off the ESS system by pushing the button. No issues YET but am wanting to go over to a Genysis system before my battery dies on a trail. Any estimate to cost of parts? I would try to install myself.

ETA: looks like about $1350 for the kit plus two 25 group batteries shipped to me from their website.

 

[PyrPatriot]

I know I’m not answering your questions, but: At that price you could swap in a dual battery system + two group 25 batteries. Been running this setup for a couple years now.

Way easier to work with than the stock system and the second battery can act like a built in jump, while taking the load of any accessories.

Details on models and cost/time?

 

[Jeeperjamie]

Interesting. Makes sense. Here in Arizona. I run the AC ALOT (ESS always off with AC) and in the winter .... I've always disabled the ESS. Doesn't the alternator charge BOTH batteries?

Also. In the extreme Arizona heat. Batteries usually do not last for over 2-3 years before requiring replacement.

Interesting. I am at over 55k miles and almost always turn off the ESS system by pushing the button. No issues YET but am wanting to go over to a Genysis system before my battery dies on a trail. Any estimate to cost of parts? I would try to install myself.

I think he was more or less meaning people who try to trick the system to have it stay off by pulling the plug under the hood or other things, like disabling it permanently. He did make the statement to best let the system do it's thing, unless you have to to turn it off for some reason. I have always let mine do at is should, never turn it off. I don't see why it wouldn't charge though if you turn it off everytime by pressing the button.

 

[Kindafearless]

Details on models and cost/time?

Mine is a hybrid Genesis Off-road DIY kit + National Luna Battery Management system. I spent around $1k on it with batteries, and it took me 4-ish hours to install. Genesis sells full kits too, which are probably a little more expensive.

It’s a really easy install if you have basic electrical experience, take the time to do it right, and think through your wiring paths. Lots of good info on this forum if you search for the Genesis kit.

 

[Snake Eyes]

Lot's of threads on it here.
Basically, when the small auxiliary battery goes, by the time you notice it's already taken out the main battery. While I'm sure the dealer also banged ya dry for list price on parts, there is a stupid amount of labor involved to change that aux battery. Especially at dealership labor rates. Take a look at where they shoved that thing. Basically your choices are take apart half the engine compartment, or remove the fender and go in that way.

getting to small battery does not require taking apart half engine compartment. fuse box off, tie up to keep out of way. pick up connectors unscrew cover and there is aux battery. a little time and pain keeping connectors up and out of way but not a tear apart.

 

[brianinca]

It took 30 minutes with cleaning dirt & leaves and dust out to replace the aux battery in my 20 JTR, from the top. It's not complicated.

Lot's of threads on it here.
Basically, when the small auxiliary battery goes, by the time you notice it's already taken out the main battery. While I'm sure the dealer also banged ya dry for list price on parts, there is a stupid amount of labor involved to change that aux battery. Especially at dealership labor rates. Take a look at where they shoved that thing. Basically your choices are take apart half the engine compartment, or remove the fender and go in that way.

 

[brianinca]

Wow, I learned about that from my wife! She lived in PHX for 29 years, and the high prolonged heat just destroys batteries! Her 2016 Honda killed the OEM before she moved here in 2018, and I thought it was hot where I live.

Interesting. Makes sense. Here in Arizona. I run the AC ALOT (ESS always off with AC) and in the winter .... I've always disabled the ESS. Doesn't the alternator charge BOTH batteries?

Also. In the extreme Arizona heat. Batteries usually do not last for over 2-3 years before requiring replacement.

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