Doesn't start

[Atom 06212227]

I have a 2019 wrangler with a 2.0. All of a sudden it developed an intermittent issue, where it just clicks the solenoid when you try to start it. I've tried researching. First thing I thought was the starter. The starter is a dealer product and is almost $300. I don't want to just start throwing $300 parts at it. I metered my battery. It reads 12.6V. I read something about checking the ess battery. I can't find one in any of the places I read to check. I found a box under the main battery, but it is empty and no cables going to it. I read to remove the negative terminal to check both batteries independently. That is how I verified the main batteries voltage. When I read from the hot post that is still hooked up to the negative cable, I read no voltage. So I'm thinking I don't have an ess battery. Any ideas on what could be wrong?

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[Beachcomber72]

Your 2019 is probably the 2.0 etorque which does not have the AUX battery. Try starting it in neutral with foot on the brake when it happens. How did you check voltage of your battery specifically?

 

[Atom 06212227]

I checked with a multi meter. I removed both battery leads and checked the voltage. I know this doesn't check the cranking amps, but I have the voltage. The sides of the battery are not swollen either. I tried to put it in Neutral and it won't allow me to without the jeep running. The selection switch appeared to be confused after it started. I tried to reverse and the dash read to put it in park then select a desired gear. I did that a couple times and then had to put it in drive then back to reverse. It's a bummer, it's 6:18 am and I have to go to work and this time the check engine light was on. I read somewhere that if it was the reverse neutral switch, the jeep wouldn't do anything, not even click. Is this a fact?

 

[oldcjguy]

Have the battery load tested. I think Autozone will do it for free. Your battery may not be putting out enough power under load. If you've never changed your battery you're probably due. Mine is a 2020 and I needed a battery a few months ago. I kept getting messages about the aux panel not being available after I'd first start the engine. After a few minutes of driving they were enabled again. I'd charge the battery overnight and that would solve the problem for a few days, but it kept coming back. Never got to the point of not starting but it was turning over slower. So, I replaced the battery and have had 0 issues since.

 

[Bill_P]

Your Jeep is a 2019 so if you are still on the OEM main battery you are about two years ahead of the curve. It's more than likely a bad battery. Slap a decent replacement in there and you will probably be good to go.

 

[Deleted User 38384]

It reads 12.6V.

I know it gets said a lot around here, but 100%, IT IS YOUR BATTERY AND THE AUXILIARY TOO!!!

Your battery should be averaging in the 13s and 14 volt area.

My 2021 EcoDiesel started going to shit and having all sorts of electrical issues including not starting, going to these weird running while off modes, and it ended up dying finally on the side of the road one day. Thankfully I wasn't far from the house so I was able to get it started get it home.

Battery was averaging 12.9v when I tested it. I go down the street to O'Reilly and pick up a yellow top, I removed the auxiliary battery and rewired it so it's not needed. And out of nowhere it runs like a champ, and all of my weird electrical issues are gone.

Do yourself a favor, disable and remove the auxiliary battery, get yourself a bigger beefier yellow top battery, they are designed for the start-stop systems so that's what you will want. It'll cost you around 300 to $400 depending what battery the 2.0s take. But I 100% guarantee you that's your issue.

EDIT: if you do decide to keep the auxiliary battery attached, be warned that they have a bad habit of draining your main battery faster than if you just have a main battery only. Also if you are going to keep your auxiliary battery, you'll need to replace that as well because when one goes they both go. That's the unfortunate side of these new Jeeps.

On the plus side it's free to delete the auxiliary.

 

[oldcjguy]

I know it gets said a lot around here, but 100%, IT IS YOUR BATTERY AND THE AUXILIARY TOO!!!

He has a 2019 2.0T. They only came etorque. No aux battery

 

[Deleted User 38384]

He has a 2019 2.0T. They only came etorque. No aux battery

Interesting. How nice that is.

All the same, you should be able to read at least 13 to 14 volts from it. And given that it's a 2019, I'd have to imagine that's what it is.

 

[Maverick909]

Only way to test a battery correctly is with removing all cables and load testing. Case closed

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