Smoke from heated steering wheel after upgrading batteries?

[J_RoD]

About a month ago, I replaced both my main and aux batteries in my '21 Overland with the bigger 94R and Aux14 batteries (I orignally had a size 48 and Aux12). Everything seemed to be fine except my heated steering wheel stopped working. It would turn on for about a second and then immediately turn off. It's getting warmer so I figured I would just wait until the fall to look into it. Then yesterday on my way home from work I smelled something burning and noticed smoke coming from the steering wheel which was also getting pretty hot. It was cold yesterday so the heated steering wheel automatically turned on at startup and apparently stayed on this time. I was able to turn it off and the smoke went away. So apparently something is shorting it out, I've pulled the fuse for now but any idea what the issue could be? Is it because of the different batteries? Anyone else running the 94R and Aux14 in their Jeep that didn't previously have them?

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[DylanM]

I'd chalk it up to mere coincidence. There's no reason why installing larger capacity batteries would have any negative effect on the steering wheel heater.

 

[ScottBeach]

If the fuse was functioning you couldn't over power the wheel. Just bad luck i think.

 

[berb]

My steering wheel would shut off right after I turned it on. i did not have the smoke. My steering wheel did have a short and they had to replace the whole steering wheel. I was fortunate that it was under warranty.

 

[Casique]

If you have to replace it, look into the Mojave steering wheel. Its very nice!

 

[J_RoD]

Thanks for the tips. I've found a few other complaints about this online as well so it does appear to be just a coincidence. Of course I'm 4k over my warranty so I'll probably get stuck with the bill to replace the wheel. I'll call the dealer and give it a try, maybe the thought of having one of their trucks catch fire due to a faulty part would prompt them to do something about it? Just kidding, forgot I was driving a Jeep there for a second.

 

[LouisvEarlleJT]

That's frustrating.

This kind of reads like an episode of Home Improvement though, hopefully it'll be a funny story for you down the road.

 

[J_RoD]

I’d say I found the source. The connectors were pretty much fused together, took some work to get them separated. Looks like I’ll be replacing the wheel and harness.

 

[J_RoD]

Well, $300 later for a new wheel and wiring harness and I’m back in business, heated grips and all. Not a mod I was planning on doing but it is a pretty nice upgrade over stock. Fortunately I was able to reuse the clockspring even though the connector was partially melted/damaged. That would’ve been another $275.

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