Aux Battery and Starting Issue

[RetPara]

I have a '18 JL with the 2.0 T.

Nothing in my manual says anything about a Aux Battery... WTF, never heard of one before researching the real question below.

My JL has 140K+. Still has original battery. Since living in Michigan and it's somewhat chilly we use the remote start A LOT. Starting a couple of days ago with early morning low temps the remote start lights flash and I hear a click. No start. When the temperature goes up or the Jeep has been running a while, the remote start will work. When doing the arduous task to press the button in the vehicle to start, it cranks with only a momentary pause.

Since this occurs with both key fobs, I don't believe it is merely a fob battery. Will change my fobs battery today to make sure. With the age of the battery my first thought was that the battery is starting to fail and does not have the juice to turn a cold engine over.

My thought is to take it to the dealer (since this is the 2nd Jeep we bought from them and still have the 1st - they take care of us) for a battery and starter check. I called the dealer Friday and was told the normal live expectancy for a battery is 5 years. Having the battery and starter checked before replacing the battery would be most prudent.

I quit working on cars after selling Jeep #1, a '79 Renegade when PCSing to Germany in '86.

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[AndySpill]

... When doing the arduous task to press the button in the vehicle to start, it cranks with only a momentary pause.

..and when it does crank, curious, as your answer may help me narrow cause, in the EVIC (i.e. display) does a light go on that indicates that the engine start stop system (ESS) has been turned off by the vehicle?

The light in questions appears as a letter "A," with a near circle around it, and I believe, a slash thru it.

I am not, BTW, asking whether the light is on or off on the ESS off button that you can push on the console. That button's state, for now, is irrelevant to me.

 

[TheNewGuy]

I have a '18 JL with the 2.0 T.

Nothing in my manual says anything about a Aux Battery... WTF, never heard of one before researching the real question below.

My JL has 140K+. Still has original battery. Since living in Michigan and it's somewhat chilly we use the remote start A LOT. Starting a couple of days ago with early morning low temps the remote start lights flash and I hear a click. No start. When the temperature goes up or the Jeep has been running a while, the remote start will work. When doing the arduous task to press the button in the vehicle to start, it cranks with only a momentary pause.

Since this occurs with both key fobs, I don't believe it is merely a fob battery. Will change my fobs battery today to make sure. With the age of the battery my first thought was that the battery is starting to fail and does not have the juice to turn a cold engine over.

My thought is to take it to the dealer (since this is the 2nd Jeep we bought from them and still have the 1st - they take care of us) for a battery and starter check. I called the dealer Friday and was told the normal live expectancy for a battery is 5 years. Having the battery and starter checked before replacing the battery would be most prudent.

I quit working on cars after selling Jeep #1, a '79 Renegade when PCSing to Germany in '86.

The 2018 2.0 has eTorque so no AUX. It's most likely your 5 year old battery at fault. Its rare that an OEM battery makes it to 5 years. Maybe if its routinely put on a tender.
The dealer will most likely tuck it to ya to the tune of $250 to replace it.....with another shitty OEM battery.

 

[RetPara]

..and when it does crank, curious, as your answer may help me narrow cause, in the EVIC (i.e. display) does a light go on that indicates that the engine start stop system (ESS) has been turned off by the vehicle?

The light in questions appears as a letter "A," with a near circle around it, and I believe, a slash thru it.

I am not, BTW, asking whether the light is on or off on the ESS off button that you can push on the console. That button's state, for now, is irrelevant to me.

No. The button and light do not light up nor sound a 'Self Destruct in 30 Seconds' in the late Majel Barretts voice.

Please excuse me, I take myself far too seriously....

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