Battery not charging

[Bluesteel]

Is anyone else having issues with 4xe battery not taking a charge? My vehicle has been in the shop over 3 weeks.

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[dasmith232]

Hi. Brand new Wrangler owner here (72 hours ago) and new to this forum (first post). I might have a similar situation depending on what other symptoms you see. My 4xe won't take a charge through the charging port. I've tried multiple outlets with my L1 stock charger. I've tested the outlets for proper wiring. I've taken my Jeep to multiple L2 chargers. In every single case, there is no indication of any kind. No blinking lights. No goal posts. Nothing on the dash nor at the LED in the charge port.

However, I can charge the battery by using the "charge" option while in the "e-save" mode. So the battery can be charged, just not through the charge port. And yeah, charging via e-save while driving is not efficient energy transfer, but it was for testing purposes.

Since your Jeep is in the shop, you probably don't have access to test this. (Or maybe you already did.) Can you charge via the e-save options?

My other question to anyone on this forum is this: I'm assuming that there is a circuit/module/computer in-line between the charge port and the battery. Is it possible that this device is dead or stuck in some mode that refuses to acknowledge the presence of a 1772 connector (and its power)?

 

[jellis4148]

I'm not trying to be "that guy", but I can't stand selling a customer a 4XE in any model. These things have coolant leaks sitting on the showroom floor. I'm exaggerating, but I swear everyone we have ever sold is in the service department getting some charging problem, leak or something else related to the hybrid system fixed every other month. I'm not knocking your vehicle. I just don't feel the 4XE is a vehicle that will last very long. It seems like on here there is a new post about some problem with that persons 4XE daily. Also, if we get one in used we can't even give them away.

 

[BigMaCro]

Hi. Brand new Wrangler owner here (72 hours ago) and new to this forum (first post). I might have a similar situation depending on what other symptoms you see. My 4xe won't take a charge through the charging port. I've tried multiple outlets with my L1 stock charger. I've tested the outlets for proper wiring. I've taken my Jeep to multiple L2 chargers. In every single case, there is no indication of any kind. No blinking lights. No goal posts. Nothing on the dash nor at the LED in the charge port.

However, I can charge the battery by using the "charge" option while in the "e-save" mode. So the battery can be charged, just not through the charge port. And yeah, charging via e-save while driving is not efficient energy transfer, but it was for testing purposes.

Since your Jeep is in the shop, you probably don't have access to test this. (Or maybe you already did.) Can you charge via the e-save options?

My other question to anyone on this forum is this: I'm assuming that there is a circuit/module/computer in-line between the charge port and the battery. Is it possible that this device is dead or stuck in some mode that refuses to acknowledge the presence of a 1772 connector (and its power)?

The J1772 inlet on the left side of the Jeep is connected to the IDCM (integrated dual charging module) located under the vehicle along the left frame rail. The IDCM is the AC-DC battery charger that converts from 120/240VAC to charge the 400V DC battery.

It sounds like there is indeed a connection problem, and it's odd that you don't have any error messages or lights. Typically if there are problems with this process there will be error messages and lights galore.

As far as charging via e-save and regen - this is accomplished through the PIM (power inverter module) that converts between the 400V DC battery and 3-phase AC of the electric motors.

 

[PatriotX]

I'm not trying to be "that guy", but I can't stand selling a customer a 4XE in any model. These things have coolant leaks sitting on the showroom floor. I'm exaggerating, but I swear everyone we have ever sold is in the service department getting some charging problem, leak or something else related to the hybrid system fixed every other month. I'm not knocking your vehicle. I just don't feel the 4XE is a vehicle that will last very long. It seems like on here there is a new post about some problem with that persons 4XE daily. Also, if we get one in used we can't even give them away.

Dealership name with cheap 4xe?

 

[dasmith232]

Thank you Matt for this detail. As an engineer, I really like knowing how things work even if I don't "need to". It was a nice and warm day here in Colorado so I had the Jeep on the driveway with the hood flipped up to the windshield and enjoyed great visibility tracing the wiring. I can see what you're describing. I'll keep looking.

 

[redracer]

I'll share my $.02 observation... Several public chargers that I've come across have been intentionally broken by a$$holes. Some are getting creative enough to shove stuff into the connectors. I believe that I've ran across one of these situations and upon inserting the connector on my 4xe, i felt resistance and it didn't charge. I've noticed after this incident that my charge connector doesn't work as reliably anymore. It takes some fiddling with the connector to ensure it starts right.

Here is my theory. as an electronics tech... The data pins that are required to start the charge (or even for the jeep to recognize that it's plugged into an EVSE), may have been shoved back into my jeep's J1772 socket. From an outside inspection the bottom left pin does look more recessed than the other. I've tried to get some needle nose in there to reseat it, but nothing I have is small enough. One day I may get annoyed enough to remove it and see if I can get at the pin from the wire side. I'd love to just order a new socket from Jeep, but the 4xe parts listing appears to be not public which I believe to be illegal. (side rant over)

My suggestion... closely inspect your charge socket. Make sure that all the pins are clear and in position. Point this out to your dealer if necessary.

 

[dasmith232]

Thank you RedRacer! I appreciate you pointing this out. Sure enough, not just one but both of the smaller pins (both data, I assume) are bent. They are centered at the root but bend to the side by the tip. Here's a pic... (This angle shows only one of the two but they're both simillar.)

 

[dasmith232]

These lights make me happier than any Christmas lights right now...

 

[redracer]

Thank you RedRacer! I appreciate you pointing this out. Sure enough, not just one but both of the smaller pins (both data, I assume) are bent. They are centered at the root but bend to the side by the tip. Here's a pic... (This angle shows only one of the two but they're both simillar.)

You're welcome! I'm glad that it was that simple.

I went looking for the part number for the charge port, should we damage one beyond simple alignment issues. I found that the 2021 4xe has its parts published. I believe that it's integrated into the cable that comes from the IDCM. Unfortunately, it looks like that cable is one of these expensive pieces... But I have no clue what the differences are.

Charge Port Wiring
68415080AJ $474.81
68415042AI $585.48
68378507AJ Backordered

 

[DewHawk]

Jesus. Wonder where the hell you managed to pick up a bent set of pins at? It’s incredible to me just how many people have nothing better to do that try and destroy someone else’s happiness simply because they don’t agree with each other. I’m not saying it happened to you from someone like this, but it’s hard to imagine how else it could have happened.
I’m gonna start paying extra close attention to public charging cords from here on.

 

[BigMaCro]

Wow, that's cool! I'm glad you fixed it.

FYI, some of the pins protrude farther so they make contact before others.

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