WranglerMan
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- Will
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JL by Zautomotive and Smart Start/Stop ESS disabler showdown
I recently saw where Steve of Smart Stop/Start released a version of his ESS disabler for the Wrangler JL so I figured I would do a side by side comparison of the install and operation of both units, now please keep in mind that the Tazer JL, Mini and Lite all do a lot more than the Smart Stop/Start does but this is only a comparison of the ESS ( Electronic Start/Stop ) portion on the Tazer to the Smart Stop/Start.
The Tazer JL retails for $329, the JL Mini goes for the same $329 and the Lite goes for $219 but it’s a limited version but can be upgraded to the full version for an additional $125, they all come with a 90 warranty but a 2-year extended warranty can be purchased for $20 more
https://zautomotive.com/product-category/tazer/
The Smart Stop/Start currently at time of this review retails for $129.95 and has a 3-year replacement/repair warranty included along with free shipping.
https://www.smartstopstart.com/
The electronic start/stop function is now part of a lot of vehicles these days and on most vehicles can easily be bypassed but this bypassing is usually temporary and a button or similar action has to be used each and every time and this is the case with the JL, now one can remove hood switches, disconnect a battery voltage wires etc.... but honestly who wants to do that and then have to look at it or hear annoying messages that something is wrong.
We all can fully appreciate the purpose of this design but it should be our choice and we should not have to perform a particular function each and every time to turn off this feature so let’s fast forward to the Smart Stop/Start and other options like the Tazer.
The Wrangler JL utilizes a SGW ( security gateway module ) that is right after the OBDII port, it’s not necessary to know what the purpose of this gateway is for but this gateway must be accessed to utilize either one of these products
Here is the SGW port which I have already unplugged the two gateway connectors from, you can remove the access panel right below the steering wheel to get a better visual of the gateway and I initially would recommend it so you can see what you are doing and after that since you will know where it’s at and how the connectors work will be easier for removal
/install the next time you need to do it and since I mentioned removal let’s briefly talk about that, the connectors have to be squeezed from the back and there is one that is wider than the other one but they both come out the same way, care must be taken when removing these as there are lots of wires that go into each connector so if you have large hands it may be helpful to have some help in removing these connectors, but once either fully removing both or partially removing them in the case of the Smart Stop/Start it is highly recommended that these connectors be put back to there factory state and either piece of hardware be removed prior to any Dealer Service, doing so will avoid any possible conflict of warranty coverage.
So with all of that said let’s begin with the install of the Smart Stop/Start module, prior to installing the Smart Stop/Start the smaller connector only needs to be removed from the SGW module then you take the smaller connector that you just unplugged and plug it into the same type of connector that is on the Smart Stop/Start module and then plug the other connector that is on the other end of the Smart Stop/Start back into the SGW module then you use the included Velcro tape to stick it close to the SGW module and then affix the Smart Stop/Start to it as it has the matching Velcro already attached to it and once that is done installation is complete, now how simple is that, as you can see from the picture of my JL I mounted the module right next to the SGW module and if needed can easily be removed by just disconnecting the smaller connector from the SGW module and then unplugging the original cable from the Stop/Start module and plugging that back into the factory SGW module and you are done
You only need to remove the smaller connector as indicated in red from the SGW module to install the Smart Stop/Start
After completing this super easy install, literally 5 mins all you do is start your jl and choose the position of the Stop/Start function and for me that’s off and this genius little module that has a minimal footprint remembers what position you choose and each time you start your JL it defaults to that position.
After installing I took it for a short ride and played with it doing several Stop/Starts and it performed flawlessly and worked every time, I will spend the next week or so with this in my JL but just from my short trip I’m pretty sure this unit will be staying as it does one simple thing and does it perfectly and like I said the install is so simple, basically pull one connector and connect it to the start/ stop then plug the other end back into the SGW module and your done with the exception of either tucking the module under your dash or using the included Velcro which I did and that option presents a much cleaner install.
Now let’s start on the install and operation of that same ESS function with the Tazer Jl which is what I have, the mini and lite would basically be the same as you have to bypass the SGW module completely with all Tazer products.
The first step is to remove both connectors from the SGW module behind your dash, similar to the Smart Stop/Start but both connectors have to be removed, once removed you plug both connectors into the included SGW bypass module or the more compact Tazer that this module is built into as pictured then tuck it out of the way.
Gateway bypass module plugged in
After that’s done depending on which Tazer you have you will plug the main unit into the OBDII port and or proceed to the “Marrying” step, the following steps are what set the Smart Stop/Start and Tazer apart from one another as the Tazer has to be married to the JL for it to function and this is for utilizing a combination of features that are controlled off the steering wheel using a series of buttons, it’s actually very easy to do and once married choices of what the Tazer can do are accessible thru the EVIC display but I’m not going to go into all of that as I’m only comparing the ESS function.
Once all connections are made and the Tazer is married it will display “unmarry” and then you can access the live features of the Tazer and set ESS to off and once set do a full reboot of the system using the menu and once complete ESS with automatically turn off every time the JL is started.
ESS set to off
If you choose to use the ESS function with the Tazer you simply push the button on the dash to engage it at your next stop but here’s where the Tazer is different than the Smart Stop/Start, once your vehicle stops and ESS engages and once you start moving again the Tazer will automatically reset the ESS to off again as it does not remember your last setting.
So above is my simple review of two great products and you can’t go wrong with either one but if you are looking for one simple solution to controlling the ESS function and only that function at this point in time I will have to say the Smart Stop/Start wins hands down as the install is so very simple and there is no process of “marrying” the product to your vehicle as it’s
basically a plug and play piece of hardware and couple that with the cost and it’s a winner, but if you are looking for a more rich feature product that can control so much more the Tazer is an excellent product but there are those out there that are perfectly happy with there JL with the small exception of the ESS feature and for those I say get the Smart Stop/Start and don’t look back it seems like a solid product that has an excellent warranty and is priced very reasonable.
I recently saw where Steve of Smart Stop/Start released a version of his ESS disabler for the Wrangler JL so I figured I would do a side by side comparison of the install and operation of both units, now please keep in mind that the Tazer JL, Mini and Lite all do a lot more than the Smart Stop/Start does but this is only a comparison of the ESS ( Electronic Start/Stop ) portion on the Tazer to the Smart Stop/Start.
The Tazer JL retails for $329, the JL Mini goes for the same $329 and the Lite goes for $219 but it’s a limited version but can be upgraded to the full version for an additional $125, they all come with a 90 warranty but a 2-year extended warranty can be purchased for $20 more
https://zautomotive.com/product-category/tazer/
The Smart Stop/Start currently at time of this review retails for $129.95 and has a 3-year replacement/repair warranty included along with free shipping.
https://www.smartstopstart.com/
The electronic start/stop function is now part of a lot of vehicles these days and on most vehicles can easily be bypassed but this bypassing is usually temporary and a button or similar action has to be used each and every time and this is the case with the JL, now one can remove hood switches, disconnect a battery voltage wires etc.... but honestly who wants to do that and then have to look at it or hear annoying messages that something is wrong.
We all can fully appreciate the purpose of this design but it should be our choice and we should not have to perform a particular function each and every time to turn off this feature so let’s fast forward to the Smart Stop/Start and other options like the Tazer.
The Wrangler JL utilizes a SGW ( security gateway module ) that is right after the OBDII port, it’s not necessary to know what the purpose of this gateway is for but this gateway must be accessed to utilize either one of these products
Here is the SGW port which I have already unplugged the two gateway connectors from, you can remove the access panel right below the steering wheel to get a better visual of the gateway and I initially would recommend it so you can see what you are doing and after that since you will know where it’s at and how the connectors work will be easier for removal
/install the next time you need to do it and since I mentioned removal let’s briefly talk about that, the connectors have to be squeezed from the back and there is one that is wider than the other one but they both come out the same way, care must be taken when removing these as there are lots of wires that go into each connector so if you have large hands it may be helpful to have some help in removing these connectors, but once either fully removing both or partially removing them in the case of the Smart Stop/Start it is highly recommended that these connectors be put back to there factory state and either piece of hardware be removed prior to any Dealer Service, doing so will avoid any possible conflict of warranty coverage.
So with all of that said let’s begin with the install of the Smart Stop/Start module, prior to installing the Smart Stop/Start the smaller connector only needs to be removed from the SGW module then you take the smaller connector that you just unplugged and plug it into the same type of connector that is on the Smart Stop/Start module and then plug the other connector that is on the other end of the Smart Stop/Start back into the SGW module then you use the included Velcro tape to stick it close to the SGW module and then affix the Smart Stop/Start to it as it has the matching Velcro already attached to it and once that is done installation is complete, now how simple is that, as you can see from the picture of my JL I mounted the module right next to the SGW module and if needed can easily be removed by just disconnecting the smaller connector from the SGW module and then unplugging the original cable from the Stop/Start module and plugging that back into the factory SGW module and you are done
You only need to remove the smaller connector as indicated in red from the SGW module to install the Smart Stop/Start
After completing this super easy install, literally 5 mins all you do is start your jl and choose the position of the Stop/Start function and for me that’s off and this genius little module that has a minimal footprint remembers what position you choose and each time you start your JL it defaults to that position.
After installing I took it for a short ride and played with it doing several Stop/Starts and it performed flawlessly and worked every time, I will spend the next week or so with this in my JL but just from my short trip I’m pretty sure this unit will be staying as it does one simple thing and does it perfectly and like I said the install is so simple, basically pull one connector and connect it to the start/ stop then plug the other end back into the SGW module and your done with the exception of either tucking the module under your dash or using the included Velcro which I did and that option presents a much cleaner install.
Now let’s start on the install and operation of that same ESS function with the Tazer Jl which is what I have, the mini and lite would basically be the same as you have to bypass the SGW module completely with all Tazer products.
The first step is to remove both connectors from the SGW module behind your dash, similar to the Smart Stop/Start but both connectors have to be removed, once removed you plug both connectors into the included SGW bypass module or the more compact Tazer that this module is built into as pictured then tuck it out of the way.
Gateway bypass module plugged in
After that’s done depending on which Tazer you have you will plug the main unit into the OBDII port and or proceed to the “Marrying” step, the following steps are what set the Smart Stop/Start and Tazer apart from one another as the Tazer has to be married to the JL for it to function and this is for utilizing a combination of features that are controlled off the steering wheel using a series of buttons, it’s actually very easy to do and once married choices of what the Tazer can do are accessible thru the EVIC display but I’m not going to go into all of that as I’m only comparing the ESS function.
Once all connections are made and the Tazer is married it will display “unmarry” and then you can access the live features of the Tazer and set ESS to off and once set do a full reboot of the system using the menu and once complete ESS with automatically turn off every time the JL is started.
ESS set to off
If you choose to use the ESS function with the Tazer you simply push the button on the dash to engage it at your next stop but here’s where the Tazer is different than the Smart Stop/Start, once your vehicle stops and ESS engages and once you start moving again the Tazer will automatically reset the ESS to off again as it does not remember your last setting.
So above is my simple review of two great products and you can’t go wrong with either one but if you are looking for one simple solution to controlling the ESS function and only that function at this point in time I will have to say the Smart Stop/Start wins hands down as the install is so very simple and there is no process of “marrying” the product to your vehicle as it’s
basically a plug and play piece of hardware and couple that with the cost and it’s a winner, but if you are looking for a more rich feature product that can control so much more the Tazer is an excellent product but there are those out there that are perfectly happy with there JL with the small exception of the ESS feature and for those I say get the Smart Stop/Start and don’t look back it seems like a solid product that has an excellent warranty and is priced very reasonable.
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