sbrimer
Well-Known Member
- First Name
- Scott
- Joined
- Dec 20, 2019
- Threads
- 18
- Messages
- 185
- Reaction score
- 272
- Location
- Pensacola, FL
- Vehicle(s)
- 2023, 392 Rubicon XR
- Thread starter
- #1
I have a 2020 JLU Rubicon 3.6 auto, that I purchased on July 18, 2020 new and I am the original owner. It now has 6,589 miles. The build date is 06/20.
About 2 weeks ago, I went to my garage and tried to start the Jeep, and nothing. I thought I had left the key fob in the house, but no it was present, then I thought that I wasn't pushing the brake or something else; but no. Then I noticed that nothing was illuminated on the dash. Then I thought maybe I had left the lights on, but no, the light switch was on auto. Perplexed, I simply left in the wifes Jeep. When I got home a few hours later, my Jeep started, but I got the dreaded, "Auxiliary Switches not available, battery charging" warning on my center instrument panel. After a few minutes, the aux switches became available and all SEEMED ok. The Jeep started right up, but the warning reappeared. It then appeared every time I started the Jeep. I knew I needed an oil change soon, so today I took the Jeep into Hill Kelly Dodge Jeep in Pensacola, Florida. When I arrived I also told them about the warning.
About an hour later, someone whose name I will not yet disclose, said that they had changed the oil in my Jeep and ask if I had anything connected to the auxiliary switches. I said yes, there is a positive wire connected to aux switch 1 under the hood and it is also grounded under the hood. That switch controls LED rock lights underneath the Jeep.
His reply, 'There's your problem. You have connected an aftermarket product to the aux switches and possibly caused damage to the switches. I am not going to do any diagnostics of your problem until you pay a $125.00 diagnostic fee. Then if it is a warranty item, you will get your money back."
I said, " You do understand that the aux switches are an OEM option that was installed by Jeep during production and they were designed so AUXILIARY items such as lights could be connected to them. The owners manual shows you how to make the connections. You can even adjust the switches so anything connected to the switches can be operated with the ignition off."
I went on to say, "The warning on the dash is a safety so if a person leave the aux switch on, the electrical system will shut the switches off until the battery reaches a sufficient charge. That way, you will still be able to start the vehicle. This is a known problem with the ESS."
I then got in the vehicle and showed him that the warning appears every time you start the Jeep and then goes away after about 15 seconds. When you turn the Jeep off, the switches are not available. You can then immediately restart the Jeep, and the warning reappears only to go away again after 15 seconds. If the battery was holding a charge, then the switches would be availabe.
I drove an hour to get to the dealership, so there was plenty of time to charge the batteries.
His response, " I understand. But you have installed aftermarket equipment that wasn't approved by Jeep or installed by this dealership. I'm not telling you that I will not repair your vehicle, I am telling you that you will be responsible for the diagnostic fee before I can determine what is wrong with the vehicle and then if it is determined that you caused the damage, you wil be responsible for the repair."
I said, "No. Bring me my vehicle."
He said, "OK, but you are the one, who is saying to not repair the vehicle."
I got the service write up or whatever it is called and left.
Here is what it says:
"Customer states message on dash board states battery temporarily unavailable for charging, check and advise (battery concern). Asked customer to approve diagnostic fee of $125.00since add on equipment has been installed. Customer declined. Did not evaluate issue."
Jeep cares?
About 2 weeks ago, I went to my garage and tried to start the Jeep, and nothing. I thought I had left the key fob in the house, but no it was present, then I thought that I wasn't pushing the brake or something else; but no. Then I noticed that nothing was illuminated on the dash. Then I thought maybe I had left the lights on, but no, the light switch was on auto. Perplexed, I simply left in the wifes Jeep. When I got home a few hours later, my Jeep started, but I got the dreaded, "Auxiliary Switches not available, battery charging" warning on my center instrument panel. After a few minutes, the aux switches became available and all SEEMED ok. The Jeep started right up, but the warning reappeared. It then appeared every time I started the Jeep. I knew I needed an oil change soon, so today I took the Jeep into Hill Kelly Dodge Jeep in Pensacola, Florida. When I arrived I also told them about the warning.
About an hour later, someone whose name I will not yet disclose, said that they had changed the oil in my Jeep and ask if I had anything connected to the auxiliary switches. I said yes, there is a positive wire connected to aux switch 1 under the hood and it is also grounded under the hood. That switch controls LED rock lights underneath the Jeep.
His reply, 'There's your problem. You have connected an aftermarket product to the aux switches and possibly caused damage to the switches. I am not going to do any diagnostics of your problem until you pay a $125.00 diagnostic fee. Then if it is a warranty item, you will get your money back."
I said, " You do understand that the aux switches are an OEM option that was installed by Jeep during production and they were designed so AUXILIARY items such as lights could be connected to them. The owners manual shows you how to make the connections. You can even adjust the switches so anything connected to the switches can be operated with the ignition off."
I went on to say, "The warning on the dash is a safety so if a person leave the aux switch on, the electrical system will shut the switches off until the battery reaches a sufficient charge. That way, you will still be able to start the vehicle. This is a known problem with the ESS."
I then got in the vehicle and showed him that the warning appears every time you start the Jeep and then goes away after about 15 seconds. When you turn the Jeep off, the switches are not available. You can then immediately restart the Jeep, and the warning reappears only to go away again after 15 seconds. If the battery was holding a charge, then the switches would be availabe.
I drove an hour to get to the dealership, so there was plenty of time to charge the batteries.
His response, " I understand. But you have installed aftermarket equipment that wasn't approved by Jeep or installed by this dealership. I'm not telling you that I will not repair your vehicle, I am telling you that you will be responsible for the diagnostic fee before I can determine what is wrong with the vehicle and then if it is determined that you caused the damage, you wil be responsible for the repair."
I said, "No. Bring me my vehicle."
He said, "OK, but you are the one, who is saying to not repair the vehicle."
I got the service write up or whatever it is called and left.
Here is what it says:
"Customer states message on dash board states battery temporarily unavailable for charging, check and advise (battery concern). Asked customer to approve diagnostic fee of $125.00since add on equipment has been installed. Customer declined. Did not evaluate issue."
Jeep cares?
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