Charging-related error message, battery specs and replacement

[Pilotjeep]

Hi, folks. I've looked through the threads I was able to search up, and haven't found a clear answer. This question is about a charging-related error message, and on battery specs and replacement.

Vehicle: 2020 JLU Sahara, 2.0 turbo with eTorque (confirmed from build sheet and from window sticker), w/ tow package, built in mid/late 2019

Symptoms:

• receive "aux switches disabled, battery charging" status message in dash either when starting, or when engine start/stop stops. This happens most of the time, and possibly doesn't happen after long trips.
• sometimes remote start from keyfob doesn't work (at the same distance and position that it usually works).

Diagnostic info:

• gauge reads 11.6 V before a cold start, following overnight rest
• gauge quickly ramps up to 14.5 V with engine running. Eventually gets to at least 14.7 V.
• gauge drops to 11.8 V while parked with engine off after a short drive

Questions:

• I believe the eTorque engine has a 48 V battery somewhere under the back seat? Or does it have the small battery below the fuse box (which I have seen indicated for the 2.0 ESS engine, not the eTorque)? Or no secondary battery?
  • Owner's manual says "may be equipped with" the small battery under the fuse box, and says nothing more, but I don’t trust that I have the right version of the manual.
  • When I called the local dealer, they first told me I have no secondary battery, and then quoted me $2600 for a secondary battery, which I hope is complete mistake and is actually for a 4xe hybrid battery.
• I assume the error message is due to needing to replace the battery or batteries. The question is, which one, or both (if there are two)?

Thanks.

Sponsored

 

[garyji]

The main 12V battery is dead.
You do not have the little AUX battery.

G.

 

[Pilotjeep]

The main 12V battery is dead.
You do not have the little AUX battery.

G.

Thanks. I take it then that there is also no 48 V battery in the back. Thanks.

 

[garyji]

You DO have the 48 V battery in the back. It's not likely that it has failed.

G

 

[Bandit59]

Hi, folks. I've looked through the threads I was able to search up, and haven't found a clear answer. This question is about a charging-related error message, and on battery specs and replacement.

Vehicle: 2020 JLU Sahara, 2.0 turbo with eTorque (confirmed from build sheet and from window sticker), w/ tow package, built in mid/late 2019

Symptoms:

• receive "aux switches disabled, battery charging" status message in dash either when starting, or when engine start/stop stops. This happens most of the time, and possibly doesn't happen after long trips.
• sometimes remote start from keyfob doesn't work (at the same distance and position that it usually works).

Diagnostic info:

• gauge reads 11.6 V before a cold start, following overnight rest
• gauge quickly ramps up to 14.5 V with engine running. Eventually gets to at least 14.7 V.
• gauge drops to 11.8 V while parked with engine off after a short drive

Questions:

• I believe the eTorque engine has a 48 V battery somewhere under the back seat? Or does it have the small battery below the fuse box (which I have seen indicated for the 2.0 ESS engine, not the eTorque)? Or no secondary battery?
  • Owner's manual says "may be equipped with" the small battery under the fuse box, and says nothing more, but I don’t trust that I have the right version of the manual.
  • When I called the local dealer, they first told me I have no secondary battery, and then quoted me $2600 for a secondary battery, which I hope is complete mistake and is actually for a 4xe hybrid battery.
• I assume the error message is due to needing to replace the battery or batteries. The question is, which one, or both (if there are two)?

Thanks.

Bad 12 volt battery. 48 volt battery is under the jeep. Most likely good. No little battery

 

[jludave]

Before you replace the 12v battery put it on a charger 2-7 amps and let it charge until it is fully charged. The see if issues remain or are gone.

OP has a 2020 vehicle. It's the battery. Charging won't solve the issue.

 

[Pilotjeep]

Before you replace the 12v battery put it on a charger 2-7 amps and let it charge until it is fully charged. The see if issues remain or are gone.

OP has a 2020 vehicle. It's the battery. Charging won't solve the issue.

I take it that the first of these two posts is referring to a different engine/electrical spec?

 

[Pilotjeep]

You DO have the 48 V battery in the back. It's not likely that it has failed.

G

Bad 12 volt battery. 48 volt battery is under the jeep. Most likely good. No little battery

Thanks. Looking through my build sheet again, I see callouts for the main "700 Amp Maintenance Free Battery" which I take to be the main 12 V, "Delete Alternator," and "48V Belt Starter Generator," though there's no callout for a 48 V battery. But I understand it goes with the starter generator.

 

[4a4c55]

Bad 12 volt battery. 48 volt battery is under the jeep. Most likely good. No little battery

How do you know? How ca the 48-volt battery be tested?

 

[Bandit59]

How do you know? How ca the 48-volt battery be tested?

Not sure 48 volt battery warranty 8-10 yrs. But pretty sure your is the 12volt issue

 

[Bandit59]

Thanks. Looking through my build sheet again, I see callouts for the main "700 Amp Maintenance Free Battery" which I take to be the main 12 V, "Delete Alternator," and "48V Belt Starter Generator," though there's no callout for a 48 V battery. But I understand it goes with the starter generator.

Etorque only has the one 12 volt battery

 

[4a4c55]

Not sure 48 volt battery warranty 8-10 yrs. But pretty sure your is the 12volt issue

I'm sorry, but I can't understand you. Also, I don't have an issue -- I'm just trying to figure out how the 48-volt battery can be tested.

 

[jludave]

I take it that the first of these two posts is referring to a different engine/electrical spec?

No. It was referring to charging the 12 volt battery before replacing it. Your vehicle is a 2020 model year and due for a 12 volt battery replacement. There is no point/need in charging it.

 

[Pilotjeep]

Interesting. I replaced the battery with the same type (size 94R/H7, AGM, and higher CCA than the original). Idled it parked for about 20 minutes, then drove it for about 20-30 minutes around town. Now the readings I get are:

• 14.2 V while driving (had been 14.5-14.7 V before the battery change)
• 13.1 V while stopped during a start/stop
• 12.4 V after shutoff (had been 11.8 V with old battery)

Also,

• Remote start from keyfob works OK
• I get a check engine light and a beep on turning the ignition to “on”, before starting the engine [edit] This may have fixed itself now. Will check again. [/edit]
• The (8.4”) touchscreen reset itself to a different color scheme, but my bluetooth pairing was retained, as well as what seems like at least most of the other settings
• The climate control temp settings won’t budge above “LO” and up to a numbered set point using the hardware buttons. Going to the climate control screen, I can raise to a number and one second later it resets itself back down to “LO” [edit] This has fixed itself now. [/edit]

So the problems I see here are the lower running voltage, the climate control problem, and the check engine light. Any ideas on the cause and solution?

 

[THAW]

Interesting. I replaced the battery with the same type (size 94R/H7, AGM, and higher CCA than the original). Idled it parked for about 20 minutes, then drove it for about 20-30 minutes around town. Now the readings I get are:

• 14.2 V while driving (had been 14.5-14.7 V before the battery change)
• 13.1 V while stopped during a start/stop
• 12.4 V after shutoff (had been 11.8 V with old battery)

Also,

• Remote start from keyfob works OK
• I get a check engine light and a beep on turning the ignition to “on”, before starting the engine
• The (8.4”) touchscreen reset itself to a different color scheme, but my bluetooth pairing was retained, as well as what seems like at least most of the other settings
• The climate control temp settings won’t budge above “LO” and up to a numbered set point using the hardware buttons. Going to the climate control screen, I can raise to a number and one second later it resets itself back down to “LO”

So the problems I see here are the lower running voltage, the climate control problem, and the check engine light. Any ideas on the cause and solution?

Your new voltage readings look pretty good. The 14.5+ V while driving with the old battery was a result of the Jeep struggling to charge a bad battery.

I believe your system is still resetting itself after losing power during the battery change; the climate and screen theme should return to normal soon. I'm not sure about the CEL, but I think it is normal to see one with the Jeep set to ON - hopefully someone else can clarify.

Sponsored