Auxiliary Battery 100%

[Spinrite]

I just noticed this message today on startup.
It said my aux ports were temporarily unavailable while the battery was charging.
How concerned should I be?

I would change out the main battery, I think the main factory battery is a trash-heap. Replace it with a good brand. I bought some high powered diode dynamics fog lights and one side of the fog lights would turn off and not power up properly. The factory battery couldn’t supply the added load. That would be the first one I would change.

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[Sand Flea]

I would change out the main battery, I think the main factory battery is a trash-heap. Replace it with a good brand. I bought some high powered diode dynamics fog lights and one side of the fog lights would turn off and not power up properly. The factory battery couldn’t supply the added load. That would be the first one I would change.

Thanks. I have a load test scheduled for Monday.

 

[kah.mun.rah]

I read somewhere (this forum) that it takes a 10s stop for ESS to save fuel vs the cost of starting the engine again. Not sure how accurate that is, but it does make me think that using ESS in stop and go might just be hurting.

For me not using ESS was more about preventing the wear and tear on my starter than saving gas.

 

[Spinrite]

For me not using ESS was more about preventing the wear and tear on my starter than saving gas.

Don’t worry about preserving the starter. It’s not the same starter that’s in the average vehicle. It’s designed and built more robust. Starter in our Jeeps w/ess isn’t weak

 

[Rubi SoHo]

I just noticed this message today on startup.
It said my aux ports were temporarily unavailable while the battery was charging.
How concerned should I be?

I’ve had it for 2 weeks off and on. It goes away within 1-2 mins and the aux ports work (not that I have anything in them right now).

today my ASS (auto start stop LOL) was back to operating normally.

check your batteries, but I doubt there’s anything wrong other than one (or both) on their way out.

 

[Sand Flea]

I just noticed this message today on startup.
It said my aux ports were temporarily unavailable while the battery was charging.
How concerned should I be?

This is an update to my question.

Took my JL to the dealer for the "aux ports temporarily unavailable, battery charging" issue.
They did a scan that showed no codes.

Next they used "the GR8 diagnostic tool to charge / test batteries. Primary battery Failed. Aux (start-stop) battery Failed."

Two new batteries for just shy of $900 later and I'm good to go.

If you are getting the message, be prepared.

 

[TheNewGuy]

This is an update to my question.

Took my JL to the dealer for the "aux ports temporarily unavailable, battery charging" issue.
They did a scan that showed no codes.

Next they used "the GR8 diagnostic tool to charge / test batteries. Primary battery Failed. Aux (start-stop) battery Failed."

Two new batteries for just shy of $900 later and I'm good to go.

If you are getting the message, be prepared.

For $900, I hope you got better batteries than the OEM

 

[Sand Flea]

For $900, I hope you got better batteries than the OEM

OEM batteries lasted 6 years.
That’s pretty good even for AGM batteries.

 

[TheNewGuy]

OEM batteries lasted 6 years.
That’s pretty good even for AGM batteries.

Sure is

 

[jeepoch]

Wow to all with any battery longevity. With my 2019 JL 2 Door 3.6L Auto, I've been changing both my batteries more often than my home's smoke alarms. Really.

Near the end of the first year, I was in the dealership about a half dozen times for the ESS disable complaints "Battery Charging" and "Battery Protection Mode" conditions. Each time, they tested both and said they're fine. However, the way the dealership just seemed to blow me off (go away lowly fool), this got me rather annoyed. I then resorted to taking pictures of the Cluster's EVIC complaints on each return trip with a date and time captioned from the camera.

They eventually relented and replaced the Main -- but to no effect. A couple more trips back, with more pictures, they reluctantly replaced the AUX.

Great, the ESS system actually worked for a while, about six months. Unfortunately, back to the dealership expecting even more hassles. However this time both batteries failed a load test. Both replaced without much fanfare.

Fast forward another nine months. Rinse and repeat. Again both batteries failed load testing. But this time the dealership was trying everything they could to convince me that I had to get warranty coverage from the battery manufacturer's directly. They'd replace them at my cost (~$900) but I should then get reimbursed.

Well that went over like a lead balloon. As long as I was under the 36K mileage limit, that story was not going to fly. I pushed back with both the Service Manager and GM. Based upon my persistence, they relented and had both replaced yet again.

Yea, my JL had a working ESS system. For just another 9 months. Yuk.

However, this time I had rolled the odometer beyond the 36K miles so I certainly knew what the story at the dealership would be.

Changing a battery is normally a very easy DIY chore, but truthfully, I did not want to deal with the hidden AUX crap. So I replaced the main myself with a good AGM and let a local repair shop replace the AUX. But I asked them to find a top-of-the-line AGM replacement (not one with a Mopar part number). End cost was still only half what the dealership had quoted.

That's been about a year ago now. No issue since (whatsoever). But, I'm paranoid that I'm again due. So three sets of batteries in the four years of ownership.

My conclusion, either the Jeep sourced batteries are total garbage or the dealership itself was not replacing these batteries with new product. Was I the victim of more dealership shenanigans? I wouldn't rule it out or put it past them, especially over the wringer they put me through and the fact I fought back.

So, I'm going to run the experiment of continuing to run on this set until the ESS complaints start happening again (regularly). Noting however that I have tried pampering all these batteries with the occasional external charge via a Smart Maintainer. Around a few times per month, but not always religiously. Maybe more so going forward.

Regardless, I'm so very envious of the people getting many years of use. I also pity the poor fools who have the same experience that I've had with an EV battery. Mine is that any battery independent of their size (or use) have never lived up to expectations. They always seem to degrade way quicker than advertised. Especially true on this JL specifically.

My recommendation is that it appears you get what you pay for. Invest in good AGM units and stay away from the dealership at all cost.

Jay

 

[Spinrite]

Choosing a good quality battery is everything our jeeps with heavy electronics/and sensors to keep them functioning accurately, like a healthy heart that will properly energize our Jeeps. The saying is garbage in equals garbage out.

 

[zouch]

2 things:
first: i have no reason to believe that the dealership would replace your failing batteries with anything other than the same junk JL(U)s came with new, so i wouldn't expect any different performance from the replacements. (and experience has shown that batts tied together will pull each other down if one fails, so they need to be replaced together.)

secondly; could it be that your "pampering all these batteries" by charging them multiple times a month is actually causing the problem?
i don't know anyone whose batts have died as fast as what you report, and i don't know anyone who charges a vehicle multiple times/month, unless perhaps there's already something wrong with their batts.

in my case, when i started getting weird error messages less than 2 years after i got my J**p, knowing that OEM batts suck, and having seen so many reports of ESS systems weirding out when either of the batts were getting tired, i replaced both batts with the best AGMs i could get from a major retailer in the areas i was most likely to travel. since then, no troubles. (and even though i don't drive my J**p daily, i have never used any kind of charger, and would not likely do so except as a temporary measure if i were dealing with a problem.)

Wow to all with any battery longevity. With my 2019 JL 2 Door 3.6L Auto, I've been changing both my batteries more often than my home's smoke alarms. Really.

Near the end of the first year, I was in the dealership about a half dozen times for the ESS disable complaints "Battery Charging" and "Battery Protection Mode" conditions. Each time, they tested both and said they're fine. However, the way the dealership just seemed to blow me off (go away lowly fool), this got me rather annoyed. I then resorted to taking pictures of the Cluster's EVIC complaints on each return trip with a date and time captioned from the camera.

They eventually relented and replaced the Main -- but to no effect. A couple more trips back, with more pictures, they reluctantly replaced the AUX.

Great, the ESS system actually worked for a while, about six months. Unfortunately, back to the dealership expecting even more hassles. However this time both batteries failed a load test. Both replaced without much fanfare.

Fast forward another nine months. Rinse and repeat. Again both batteries failed load testing. But this time the dealership was trying everything they could to convince me that I had to get warranty coverage from the battery manufacturer's directly. They'd replace them at my cost (~$900) but I should then get reimbursed.

Well that went over like a lead balloon. As long as I was under the 36K mileage limit, that story was not going to fly. I pushed back with both the Service Manager and GM. Based upon my persistence, they relented and had both replaced yet again.

Yea, my JL had a working ESS system. For just another 9 months. Yuk.

However, this time I had rolled the odometer beyond the 36K miles so I certainly knew what the story at the dealership would be.

Changing a battery is normally a very easy DIY chore, but truthfully, I did not want to deal with the hidden AUX crap. So I replaced the main myself with a good AGM and let a local repair shop replace the AUX. But I asked them to find a top-of-the-line AGM replacement (not one with a Mopar part number). End cost was still only half what the dealership had quoted.

That's been about a year ago now. No issue since (whatsoever). But, I'm paranoid that I'm again due. So three sets of batteries in the four years of ownership.

My conclusion, either the Jeep sourced batteries are total garbage or the dealership itself was not replacing these batteries with new product. Was I the victim of more dealership shenanigans? I wouldn't rule it out or put it past them, especially over the wringer they put me through and the fact I fought back.

So, I'm going to run the experiment of continuing to run on this set until the ESS complaints start happening again (regularly). Noting however that I have tried pampering all these batteries with the occasional external charge via a Smart Maintainer. Around a few times per month, but not always religiously. Maybe more so going forward.

Regardless, I'm so very envious of the people getting many years of use. I also pity the poor fools who have the same experience that I've had with an EV battery. Mine is that any battery independent of their size (or use) have never lived up to expectations. They always seem to degrade way quicker than advertised. Especially true on this JL specifically.

My recommendation is that it appears you get what you pay for. Invest in good AGM units and stay away from the dealership at all cost.

Jay

 

[KCSgtMaj]

I’m not even sure what the Aux battery does. It’s only 12AH. Looks just like the battery that I used in my Harley Davidson. Additionally I’ve always read that with Dual battery systems both batteries should be the same size.

 

[jeepoch]

@zouch,

Battery maintainers are used to supplement the battery's charge. A reputable Smart Charger even helps condition them so that they hold their charge state longer and even helps them recharge more effectively during their normal lifespans. Most premature battery degradation occurs when battery charge cycles or charge conditions fall outside expected anticipated usage. Batteries each have their own 'natural' charging characteristics and behaviors. The physics and chemical processes involved with acquiring, storing and providing electrical energy is not trivial. Each and every battery manufactured has it's own unique conditions. Especially different types and sizes.

I use a Smart 15A Quick Charger / 3A Maintainer when I sense that my alternator is working harder than usual at trying to charge both batteries. Since these two dissimilar sized units have different charging rates and discharge characteristics it's very difficult for the Engine Controller to manage the alternator's output when either battery doesn't charge consistently. Cluster EVIC Battery Voltage readings that are routinely in the mid to high 14V range is very indicative of charging trouble.

So letting a Smart Charger help the system charge them externally overnight is not a bad thing. However, in order to charge them properly, each battery needs to be charged independently (and thus disconnected). The vehicle's ESS design is certainly not going to provide for that condition. While the ignition is on, both batteries are connected in parallel until an Auto Stop ESS event is activated. (And during a small time window before cranking to allow the Intelligent Battery Sensor and Engine Controller to sense each battery's voltage uniquely.) However, when an ESS event is active the engine is stopped. So at no point can these batteries be charged properly (whatsoever) under normal driving situations.

So to be 'religious' about charging things properly, yes I disconnect the Main and Aux Negatives and charge each battery independently one at a time. In this way the Smart Charger / Maintainer is able to monitor and control the charging current as properly required for each battery (at their own rate). I typically do the AUX first since it charges faster, I then leave the Main to charge overnight. I know when the charger is finished, it indicates that it's 'Floating' and no longer pumping in any charge current.

I certainly do this more often as the frequency of Cluster EVIC ESS 'Battery Charging' and 'Battery Protection Mode' complaints start to go up. Or when the 'Battery Voltage' remains excessively high.

My assessment is that this is a design flaw and only marginally works if superior (expensive) batteries are used. By introducing cheap OEM units only exacerbates the design deficiencies of charging these batteries in parallel.

That's essentially the genius behind the dual battery systems from Genisys and others. They allow the Batts to be disconnected and both charged and discharged separately. Unfortunately, I despise their six cycle ESS limit. I have about 5x that number of stop lights on my daily commute.

So I do take all of this into account. And in summary the JL ESS system as federally mandated is the biggest piece of shit (POS) implementation of any electrical system on any vehicle ever sold at any point in the history of automobiles.

They should instead of naming it ESS, it should have been named EDSEL. Nah, on second thought the JL's ESS actually makes the Ford Edsel look fantastically awesome in engineering comparison. At least that jalopy had a good solid working charging system.

Jay

 

[Sand Flea]

Jeepoch, are you using a BatteryTender charger/maintainer?

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