Start/Stop battery is STUPID!

[SanTan38]

This start/stop function is the dumbest invention ever. It’s an over engineered, discombobulated, mess that does nothing to save gas and causes nothing but problems. I just didn’t realize how stupid it is untill I had to change the Aux battery. 3 years old 2022. Gladiator and had two Aux batteries replaced under warranty.
I had to leave work today because the wife couldn’t leave the house when the electronics went haywire. Service trans mission warning. Put car in park warning without the vehicle actually running. Oh yea… the car can’t shift from park because you can’t start the vehicle! Couldn’t turn off the vehicle from “RUN” to off. It was a mess. Every warning bell and light was going off. So now it’s time to replace #3
So I got a new aux battery. But removing the fuse box and trays was THE BIGGEST PAIN just to replace a battery. I couldn’t imagine what a dealership would charge.

just ranting a bit. lol.

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[ShadowsPapa]

Some say, and there are videos about it - going in through the right wheel well is easier. Crank the wheels hard left, take out a screw and a couple of retainers, pull out the rear half of the fender liner and swap it out from there.
If you've gone through two - there's something going on.
Has the main battery ever been properly tested?
What sort of voltage do you see at the battery when the truck is just sitting, off?

I didn't even have ONE replaced in 3 years - you have something going on....... maybe the truck sits a lot? Only short drives?

 

[Lost1wing]

The fix? Plug it in like an EV if you don't drive it much. I'm not a fan of ESS either, mainly cause it is not needed where I live. In the small chance that I get into stop and go traffic or if I see a traffic light, I could turn it on. Probably not going to do that.

My 2020 still has the original batteries. As it sits for another week under the Magnolia trees, it will get a few days on the trickle charger when I see it again.

Either you are not driving the truck long enough to keep it charged or you have another issue. 2 Aux batteries already? Something is not right.

 

[Hootbro]

Unless you are married to having a ESS function, just do the full delete mod and you can stop worrying about it.

 

[SanTan38]

Yea…. Net time the Aux battery starts to fail, I’ll just permanently delete it..

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Unless you are married to having a ESS function, just do the full delete mod and you can stop worrying about it.

That's one way to do it............. If I was doing this (I'm not, and unlikely to) this is a good way, but I'd also up the main battery to match the capacity of the two originals combined. Not necessary by any means, but gives the same reserve power while it sits or when you need power as the original setup.

 

[MT1]

If you are in the warmer parts of AZ, it might be heat killing the aux batts, assuming that the main batt is good.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

If you are in the warmer parts of AZ, it might be heat killing the aux batts, assuming that the main batt is good.

There's a crazy amount of heat down there anyway, even in cooler temps, so it makes sense.

 

[XraytecH]

What are your driving habits?

 

[Stuntman Mike]

The fix? Plug it in like an EV if you don't drive it much.

That's what I am doing and additionally switch off the ESS after every start.
Batteries are like new (I hope ...).

But if I have to replace the aux, I most likely delete it.

 

[Charles 236]

Just be aware that if you do delete the auxiliary battery, the ESS is still functional. It will reset every time that the Jeep is restarted, unless you install a defeat device that cancels the reset at restart.

 

[OldSarge]

This start/stop function is the dumbest invention ever. It’s an over engineered, discombobulated, mess that does nothing to save gas and causes nothing but problems. I just didn’t realize how stupid it is untill I had to change the Aux battery. 3 years old 2022. Gladiator and had two Aux batteries replaced under warranty.
I had to leave work today because the wife couldn’t leave the house when the electronics went haywire. Service trans mission warning. Put car in park warning without the vehicle actually running. Oh yea… the car can’t shift from park because you can’t start the vehicle! Couldn’t turn off the vehicle from “RUN” to off. It was a mess. Every warning bell and light was going off. So now it’s time to replace #3
So I got a new aux battery. But removing the fuse box and trays was THE BIGGEST PAIN just to replace a battery. I couldn’t imagine what a dealership would charge.

just ranting a bit. lol.

Yep, dumbest design ever. "AUX" battery will disable the whole vehicle. Just remove it.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

Unless you are married to having a ESS function, just do the full delete mod and you can stop worrying about it.

Thanks for the diagram! Valuable information.

 

[Sandman 4x4]

I’ve been wondering about the batteries in mine after all the information spread on this site. To the point of not wanting to wait. I plan on saving up for a new main battery, use the above diagram to remove the aux battery. Now I’m torn between a good AGM battery at 70-80 lbs, or lithium with the same power numbers at 30 lbs? Of course the Dakota Lithium battery that’s comparable is twice the price, but comes with an 11year warranty!

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yep, dumbest design ever. "AUX" battery will disable the whole vehicle. Just remove it.

as will the main if it goes first. And frankly, it's a wash - main can go first, or aux can go first. Or, if well cared for, neither will leave you stranded.
Gee, my wife had a main battery go bad on her WK2, and prevented it from starting or doing anything at all (that was 3 years in, and it would sit for a WEEK or more at a time, and I didn't take good care of it)
How about all of the 4xe owners who have the same exact issue - freaking out electronics, no start, can't jump and so on - oh, wait, they don't even have an aux battery! Hmmm, must be the MAIN battery going bad causing the problems.

People love to believe what they read by people who don't understand the system, though.

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