Disabling USB power when ignition is off.

[AlohaKanaya]

Aloha,

Just wanted to share how I disabled the USB ports on my 2025 JL wrangler Sport this weekend to power down the dashcam when the vehicle is turned off.

just a disclaimer I’m not responsible for any damages caused to your vehicle. Do at your own risk.

F11= USB fuse.

The basic is to use different circuit’s power that powers down when ignition is off to power the USB circuit.

after checking fuses in the box, I found couple I can use but I decided to use F42 fuse. (PCR CTRL FEED (ESS)

Google search for that fuse is the following .
The PCR (Power Control Relay) Control Feed (F42) fuse on a Jeep Wrangler powers the relay that connects or disconnects the two batteries in a dual-battery Electronic Start/Stop (ESS) system. The PCR is a normally closed relay, meaning the batteries are connected most of the time. During an ESS event, the PCR opens to isolate the main and auxiliary batteries, allowing the auxiliary battery to power the electronics while the engine is off. Removing the F42 fuse disables the PCR, permanently connecting the batteries and effectively bypassing the ESS system's ability to separate them

This system seemed to be least harmful to the vehicle just in case the fuse pops while driving.

now then after that I used a fuse tap and jumped from F42 - F11. (Attached Amazon link at bottom for it)

I soldered half of a fuse blade to the end of the fuse tap wire and inserted in the upper portion of the fuse insert at F11. (Bottom constantly had 12V when I measured it after engine shut off)

This will disable all usb ports including USB 2 inside the hand rest compartment when ignition is off.

my wrangler is a sport so for higher trims maybe you have other fuses you can choose from.

Fuse tap: https://a.co/d/6BADaj9

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[AndySpill]

Aloha,

Just wanted to share how I disabled the USB ports on my 2025 JL wrangler Sport this weekend to power down the dashcam when the vehicle is turned off.

just a disclaimer I’m not responsible for any damages caused to your vehicle. Do at your own risk.

F11= USB fuse.

The basic is to use different circuit’s power that powers down when ignition is off to power the USB circuit.

after checking fuses in the box, I found couple I can use but I decided to use F42 fuse. (PCR CTRL FEED (ESS)

Google search for that fuse is the following .
The PCR (Power Control Relay) Control Feed (F42) fuse on a Jeep Wrangler powers the relay that connects or disconnects the two batteries in a dual-battery Electronic Start/Stop (ESS) system. The PCR is a normally closed relay, meaning the batteries are connected most of the time. During an ESS event, the PCR opens to isolate the main and auxiliary batteries, allowing the auxiliary battery to power the electronics while the engine is off. Removing the F42 fuse disables the PCR, permanently connecting the batteries and effectively bypassing the ESS system's ability to separate them

This system seemed to be least harmful to the vehicle just in case the fuse pops while driving.

now then after that I used a fuse tap and jumped from F42 - F11. (Attached Amazon link at bottom for it)

I soldered half of a fuse blade to the end of the fuse tap wire and inserted in the upper portion of the fuse insert at F11. (Bottom constantly had 12V when I measured it after engine shut off)

This will disable all usb ports including USB 2 inside the hand rest compartment when ignition is off.

my wrangler is a sport so for higher trims maybe you have other fuses you can choose from.

Fuse tap: https://a.co/d/6BADaj9

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Now, while the USB ports in the dash and center console are both data and charging ones, allowing for example the connection of a smart phone for display on the vehicle's entertainment screen, in the event that one is simply powering/charging a USB device with no such connection, perhaps a cigarette lighter to USB adapter, plugged into the console's cigarette lighter plug might be sufficient for some people, as this power port shuts off when the vehicle is as well.

The same plug in the cargo area is by default (adjustable at the Power Distribution Center (i.e. PDC, i.e. fuse box) always energized and not a candidate for this workaround.

The USB ports do eventually power down on their own I've read, without your fix. Of course your fix is immediate. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/how-long-do-usb-ports-stay-active.125228/post-2616100

 

[AlohaKanaya]

Interesting. Thanks for sharing.

Now, while the USB ports in the dash and center console are both data and charging ones, allowing for example the connection of a smart phone for display on the vehicle's entertainment screen, in the event that one is simply powering/charging a USB device with no such connection, perhaps a cigarette lighter to USB adapter, plugged into the console's cigarette lighter plug might be sufficient for some people, as this power port shuts off when the vehicle is as well.

The same plug in the cargo area is by default (adjustable at the Power Distribution Center (i.e. PDC, i.e. fuse box) always energized and not a candidate for this workaround.

The USB ports do eventually power down on their own I've read, without your fix. Of course your fix is immediate. https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/forum/threads/how-long-do-usb-ports-stay-active.125228/post-2616100

Ahhh interesting. My kit didn't come with cigarette lighter usb adapter and I've always liked hiding the wire away from view when installing dash cam so i was zoned in on the USB #2 inside the arm rest. Thank you for the info. That probably is more than enough for most dashcam people..

 

[AndySpill]

... I've always liked hiding the wire away from view when installing dash cam

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