Back up lights cause dead batteries and clock issues

[cburgess77]

I installed a LOD rear bumper with back up LED lights two years ago on my 2020 JLU rubicon. About 6 months ago my battery was dead, jumped it and took it in to the dealer, they told me the aux battery was defective and put in a new one. Two months later, same thing. They replaced both batteries and took care of a software update recall and said everything was fixed. When I got the Jeep back, the clock was always wrong.
Sometimes fast, sometimes slow. I called and told them and they said things just needed to update. A few months later, clock is still wrong and battery is dead again. I have it towed to the dealer and they replace the batteries again and tell me everything is fixed. I told them that there is something else going on and I’m not picking it up until they fix everything. Two weeks have gone by and all they have done is go back and forth with the corporate tech person who is blaming the problem on me because I have “aftermarket accessories” all I added was two led back up lights that are connected to the rear taillights with a T adapter. The dealer is telling tech that the lights are not the problem but tech won’t approve any repairs under the warranty because they are blaming the problem on me. I have called @JeepCares but what else should I do? Anyone else have the same issue? What should I do?

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[Beachcomber72]

Ground wire in T-harness possibly in wrong plug pin hole? Just an initial thought. Causing open short or parasitic drain most likely.

 

[cburgess77]

The dealer tech already confirmed that the back up lights are not drawing any power. The corporate tech person that approves the replacement parts under the warranty is automatically blaming me for the problem even though the dealer is telling him that it’s something else

 

[Beachcomber72]

Time to find another dealership. Or unplug the harness and prove to the individual giving you issues that it’s not hooked up.

Any other modifications to the vehicle electronics?

 

[cburgess77]

I’m going down Monday to unhook the back up lights. I told them to just unhook them but I guess I have to do it to. Makes no sense to me. No other mods to anything electrical

 

[azjl#3]

I installed a LOD rear bumper with back up LED lights two years ago on my 2020 JLU rubicon. About 6 months ago my battery was dead, jumped it and took it in to the dealer, they told me the aux battery was defective and put in a new one. Two months later, same thing. They replaced both batteries and took care of a software update recall and said everything was fixed. When I got the Jeep back, the clock was always wrong.
Sometimes fast, sometimes slow. I called and told them and they said things just needed to update. A few months later, clock is still wrong and battery is dead again. I have it towed to the dealer and they replace the batteries again and tell me everything is fixed. I told them that there is something else going on and I’m not picking it up until they fix everything. Two weeks have gone by and all they have done is go back and forth with the corporate tech person who is blaming the problem on me because I have “aftermarket accessories” all I added was two led back up lights that are connected to the rear taillights with a T adapter. The dealer is telling tech that the lights are not the problem but tech won’t approve any repairs under the warranty because they are blaming the problem on me. I have called @JeepCares but what else should I do? Anyone else have the same issue? What should I do?

Are you familiar with the jeep PWM electric system?

going to have to agree with service writer on this one, if you tie into electric harness, you better know the results of interacting with a PWM system. And I agree with another post, you more likely have an unintended ground issue as well.

Tying any electric add on into a modern jeep unless already tested by some company, is unwise. I would only add lights and such that are pulled directly off a battery source, and used as a sperate system

 

[cburgess77]

Are you familiar with the jeep PWM electric system?

going to have to agree with service writer on this one, if you tie into electric harness, you better know the results of interacting with a PWM system. And I agree with another post, you more likely have an unintended ground issue as well.

Tying any electric add on into a modern jeep unless already tested by some company, is unwise. I would only add lights and such that are pulled directly off a battery source, and used as a sperate system

Thank for the info, I’ll disconnect them and see what happens. I have had them for two years and the clock and battery issues started about 6 months ago

 

[cburgess77]

Here is a video from the last time the battery died. I went to the dealer today to take off the back up lights and the battery was dead again.

 

[rohdawg]

Seems like the only wild card in your situation is the backup lights you’ve added.
Which company’s lights are they?
Are these lights made for what you’re using them for?
I’m only asking to help diagnose, not question your method.

Shouldn’t be a big problem tying some lights into your tail lights. Lots of us are doing that.

 

[cburgess77]

update: I removed the back up lights last Saturday and they finally admitted that they were not the problem. After being at the dealer for almost 3 weeks, they called today and said that there were 6 software updates and they think everything is fixed. Wouldn't software updates be the first thing that you check?! @JeepCares

 

[cburgess77]

Seems like the only wild card in your situation is the backup lights you’ve added.
Which company’s lights are they?
Are these lights made for what you’re using them for?
I’m only asking to help diagnose, not question your method.

Shouldn’t be a big problem tying some lights into your tail lights. Lots of us are doing that.

They are rough county flush mount flood lights tied into my rear taillights with an adapter the plugs into the stock harness. The battery issue started about a year and a half after I installed the lights. I started have dead battery issues after I took the Jeep in for a recall and I asked them to figure out why the ESS wasn’t working

 

[cburgess77]

update: The software updates fixed the clock issue. I am still waiting to see if my battery dies.

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