ESS not working… NOT LOOKING FOR FIX! Possible hidden mod module?

[sw1928]

Bought used 2021 Sahara and since day one ESS has only worked twice. NOT COMPLAINING!! I’ve checked to make sure all parameters are met and still not working. Possibly something like a Tazer JL but I can’t find it. Suggestions? Bought certified from dealer, has been back for a warranty issue and check up at home dealership right after purchase. Any thoughts on if there might be something g like a tazer hiding elsewhere? If I pull the trigger on a tazer JL I don’t want to have conflicting mods.

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[The Last Cowboy]

Does the dash display any messages when you scroll thorugh it, like ESS not ready, battery charging?

Did someone modify it by removing one of the two ground wires on the main battery?

Is fuse 42 in place?

Are both pin switches in place on the drivers side where the hood closes?

Does the ESS of light stay on, or is there a amber light on the dash with a symbol that like like this; @

 

[Bob Burd]

You can check under the driver side dash to see if something is plugged into security gateway connectors. If it looks stock, it probably is.
ESS not working is often an early sign of weak battery(s).

 

[Ratbert]

There isn't something disabling ESS if it worked twice.

It's been to the dealer, but you didn't say they looked at this specific issue.

One thing ESS is good for is letting you know that something's fucked up. Congrats, it's doing something useful?

 

[ScotM]

Look where you would install the tazer, nothing there? I like the security gateway check as well. An auto stop eliminator would not have allowed the start stop to work at all, suggest you look at the aux battery. If not eliminated, and no start stop, you’re just waiting for the main to be drained .

 

[DaltonGang]

Bad battery/batteries

 

[sw1928]

Yeah I’ve checked all the cheapo hacks and tricks like that but none of those are present. Like I said it has activated a couple of times but then stops. The only thing I can think is that I’m either lucky and the ESS just doesn’t want to work (WOO HOO!) or someplace there is a module tucked away where I can’t find it easily.

 

[Gangplank]

Or one or both your batteries is on its way out. If it’s a 2021 with a stock battery you are running on borrowed time.

my wife’s 2022 Rubicon bought 6 months ago did the same thing. Battery tested ok but out of an abundance of caution I removed the Aux battery cable and removed fuse 42. The ESS still works but now runs off one main battery.

Why did I replace it? Nothing worse than the wife stranded with a Jeep that won’t start when it’s preventable.

 

[DaltonGang]

Yeah I’ve checked all the cheapo hacks and tricks like that but none of those are present. Like I said it has activated a couple of times but then stops. The only thing I can think is that I’m either lucky and the ESS just doesn’t want to work (WOO HOO!) or someplace there is a module tucked away where I can’t find it easily.

Listen to others, and stop over thinking things. One or both batteries are bad!!!!!
Simple fix, is to isolate the AUX battery, by doing the #42 fuse pull, and pulling the Aux Battery wire, as discussed God Knows How Many Times. If it still is happening, replace the main battery. I did this several years ago, and It has worked flawlessly.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...sing-the-aux-battery-easiest-solution.100296/


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[Acourvil]

I have a 2019. ESS stopped working a couple years ago after some intermittent off/on. Dealer told me that a wiring harness that runs under the car has a plug that had come undone and was disfigured by heat from the exhaust (or something like that). They said the wiring harness would need to be replaced. Because I never like ESS anyway, I have not done anything to fix it. I may have to bite the bullet in a year or 2 when I have to get emissions testing done to re-register, but for now I’m fine with having ESS permanently disabled.

 

[Ratbert]

Yeah I’ve checked all the cheapo hacks and tricks like that but none of those are present. Like I said it has activated a couple of times but then stops. The only thing I can think is that I’m either lucky and the ESS just doesn’t want to work (WOO HOO!) or someplace there is a module tucked away where I can’t find it easily.

The two alternatives you've listed are the least likely. It worked twice, so the chance of there being a hidden defeat device somewhere is close to zero.

It's telling you there's something wrong related to charging your batteries. Listen to what others here keep trying to tell you.

 

[sw1928]

I’ve checked batteries and connections and all are good.
Nothing visible behind the dash and factory Security Gateway plugged in and good to go. I ran marry and option process from steering controls and nada. Guess it’s just a welcome glitch

You can check under the driver side dash to see if something is plugged into security gateway connectors. If it looks stock, it probably is.
ESS not working is often an early sign of weak battery(s).

 

[Gangplank]

Remind me in 3 months…. OP will post up having replaced his batteries.

 

[The Last Cowboy]

When mine still had it’s OEM batteries, ESS stopped working for about 6 months. It was great, until it wouldn’t start one day.

These days I have only the main, replaced by an H7/94R. The aux, and all of its cables were removed in a slightly rage induced exorcism of all that’s bad in the charging system. It will never be capable of having an aux battery again without some significant work.

 

[sw1928]

I’m actually outside now pulling the batteries to check that route. I think the post you saw just actually posted well after numerous replies so it seemed like I wasn’t paying attention.

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