ESS Stopped working - No Fault Light or Anything...

[Onward4x4]

So, for the past few weeks, I have noticed that the ESS simply isn't working on my 2018 JL.U. It just not working, I am not getting any warning lights or fault light or anything... It just as if ESS was not there. The battery levels are above 14V, seat belts on, hood closed... What other issues may cause ESS to quietly disable itself?
Thoughts?

Photo of Rhonda for attention!

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[GreyFox]

Are there any stored messages?

 

[dalema]

Some people pay money to make that happen

 

[Spdu4ia]

Find out how and tell me how to do it

 

[Onward4x4]

Are there any stored messages?

No messages!

 

[Onward4x4]

Some people pay money to make that happen

Find out how and tell me how to do it

I just hope this is not a symptom of a bigger problem lurking...

 

[Trauma Jeep]

Some people pay money to make that happen

I was literally about to type that! Lol

 

[Bob Burd]

I just hope this is not a symptom of a bigger problem lurking...

Yes, it may be just that, possibly a weak battery. If your voltage is above 14V all the time when the engine is running, it means your alternator is working overtime trying to charge it. Get a load tester and check the batteries separately. You don't have to remove either battery to do so, but you have to disconnect the negative cables to do them independently.

 

[Onward4x4]

Yes, it may be just that, possibly a weak battery. If your voltage is above 14V all the time when the engine is running, it means your alternator is working overtime trying to charge it. Get a load tester and check the batteries separately. You don't have to remove either battery to do so, but you have to disconnect the negative cables to do them independently.

I was thinking to do just that. Stay tuned...

 

[Dkretden]

OP, you don’t get the “ESS not ready - battery charging“ message?

 

[Dkretden]

Yes, it may be just that, possibly a weak battery. If your voltage is above 14V all the time when the engine is running, it means your alternator is working overtime trying to charge it. Get a load tester and check the batteries separately. You don't have to remove either battery to do so, but you have to disconnect the negative cables to do them independently.

Thanks For posting this.

here is my story:

took my Jeep in to dealer about 8 weeks ago.... 14.xV just about always (Dash gauge) asked the techs to check it out. They did and reported no problems with the batteries. Hmmm. Most of the time it stayed at 14.xV.

so I drive my Jeep 1000 miles straight — 16 hours (not kidding, moved to Colorado from Texas) a couple of weeks ago. Arrive at end of trip and battery gauge in dash says 12.xV..... ok, that certa9nly makes sense to me.

a couple of weeks have gone by and I have driven the Jeep around the city a bit every couple of days.... Likely less than 100 miles. battery gauge says 14.xV again.

I’m thinking that I need to have them take a look again. Thoughts?

 

[Onward4x4]

OP, you don’t get the “ESS not ready - battery charging“ message?

I'll have to check for that.

 

[Onward4x4]

Thanks For posting this.

here is my story:

took my Jeep in to dealer about 8 weeks ago.... 14.xV just about always (Dash gauge) asked the techs to check it out. They did and reported no problems with the batteries. Hmmm. Most of the time it stayed at 14.xV.

so I drive my Jeep 1000 miles straight — 16 hours (not kidding, moved to Colorado from Texas) a couple of weeks ago. Arrive at end of trip and battery gauge in dash says 12.xV..... ok, that certa9nly makes sense to me.

a couple of weeks have gone by and I have driven the Jeep around the city a bit every couple of days.... Likely less than 100 miles. battery gauge says 14.xV again.

I’m thinking that I need to have them take a look again. Thoughts?

If that is the issue, then it's not a big deal--IMO.
I have not been driving the Jeep that often since the pandemic and the stay at home order here in Chicago and so it is possible that the batteries aren't getting the charge they need. I am preparing for a long drive to Texas and so that should get the batteries all charged up.

Alternatively, perhaps I should hook the batteries up to something to keep them charged up...?

 

[Jeep142]

Hi Chicago

I had a similar issue with my 2019 JLU. It started with the ESS not working, then progressed over the next few weeks to multiple electrical issues. The dealership replaced the main battery and I have had ZERO issues since then. Good luck...

 

[Onward4x4]

Hi Chicago

I had a similar issue with my 2019 JLU. It started with the ESS not working, then progressed over the next few weeks to multiple electrical issues. The dealership replaced the main battery and I have had ZERO issues since then. Good luck...

Yeah, that happened to me a few months back where I got the light warning in the dash about the ESS not working and the dealer replaced the aux battery... This one is different, No warning light.

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