ESS no longer working

[Toadster]

Admittingly, I never much cared for using the ESS and would switch it off 99% of the time. My 2021 Gladiator's ESS had stopped working a few months ago. Is this a problem I should be investigating, or should I just be glad that I no longer have to remember to shut it off?

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[danimal2000]

I posted about this recently as well, and have a 2021. Seems it may be nearing time for new batteries was the summary off my understanding. It works occasionally, seems to be if I drive a longer distance, batteries get juiced up, and if i drive again without the truck sitting off for too long, they have enough juice to use ess again.

 

[PW45]

yes same thing happened a few months back with my '21. Replaced the Aux battery (from below) and ESS has been working fine ever since.

 

[kevman65]

One of many symptoms of failing batteries. Replace both. Fully charge new batteries before installation. Separate all cables from black box on Negative side for at least 30 minutes before install of new batteries.

 

[Tuggernuts]

I just disabled mynaux battery when this nonsense started.

 

[tom.mary.glad]

Mine hasn't worked in almost a year. I just say a little prayer before pressing the start button. Ignorance is bliss

 

[HorneyBadger]

Yea, replace both batteries or else you will have a dead vehicle soon. Wifes JL did this... ESS wasnt working for awhile. One day, dead! charged both batteries and it was OK for a couple weeks then dead again. New batteries and now all is well! what an expensive adventure.

 

[Lunentucker]

The easiest first step would be to bypass the auxiliary battery.
Takes about 10-15 minutes.
This will take the likely failure, the auxiliary battery, out of the equation.
Then you can monitor your voltage on the main battery and go from there. Wouldn't hurt to give it a good charge if you have the means.
I'd also manually disable ESS on every startup as a precaution, until you're sure that your main battery is OK.

Mileage, weather, average driving distances, and more will play into how far gone the main battery may be by now, but you can't know until you separate them and see.

 

[PsyRN]

there's kind of a rabbit hole on why this might fail. it's usually the batteries but not always. my ESS stopped working recently. I don't think the batteries are the problem though. they both had a 12.6v charge, my alternator was charging at 14.5v. I recharged both batteries anyway. I reset the IBS and even checked the fuse array. Still no ESS. Not sure what else to check. Gas cap is secured, doors are closed, etc. I won't take it to the dealership because they're useless and expensive. I had both my batteries replaced about 2 years ago, and even had the main upgraded to an H7. so yeah.

 

[MojaveChuck]

yes same thing happened a few months back with my '21. Replaced the Aux battery (from below) and ESS has been working fine ever since.

So my JScan has an option to turn off auto stop/start. Is that an actual fish for the aux not draining the main battery?

 

[sharpsicle]

So my JScan has an option to turn off auto stop/start. Is that an actual fish for the aux not draining the main battery?

No. If it worked, this would be the equivalent of just hitting the button. The batteries will still be wired together.

Not to mention, there’s an equal chance of the main going bad too.

 

[Bbannongmu]

ASS - auto start stop.

 

[Stan H]

Admittingly, I never much cared for using the ESS and would switch it off 99% of the time. My 2021 Gladiator's ESS had stopped working a few months ago. Is this a problem I should be investigating, or should I just be glad that I no longer have to remember to shut it off?

Dead aux battery

 

[Stan H]

there's kind of a rabbit hole on why this might fail. it's usually the batteries but not always. my ESS stopped working recently. I don't think the batteries are the problem though. they both had a 12.6v charge, my alternator was charging at 14.5v. I recharged both batteries anyway. I reset the IBS and even checked the fuse array. Still no ESS. Not sure what else to check. Gas cap is secured, doors are closed, etc. I won't take it to the dealership because they're useless and expensive. I had both my batteries replaced about 2 years ago, and even had the main upgraded to an H7. so yeah.

Many things will keep it from working, AC ,steering wheel turned ,heater, cold engine, 4wheel drive sesor,ABS sensor,FAD, etc..

 

[Dartboy]

Mine hasn't worked in almost a year. I just say a little prayer before pressing the start button. Ignorance is bliss

I can't even remember how long mine was not working, always planned to disconnect the Aux battery but never got any farther than seating all the fuses in the underhood box ( a lot of loose ones in there). Suddenly a month or two ago- it started working again. No idea why or how

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