EV Battery needs replacement

[alphawolff]

K.

And I don't think any aftermarket hackery does anything that actually replaces the programming on any module; all I've seen is OBD interface dongles that feed their own signals to the CAN bus.

Then I'm gonna stand by what I said earlier that you'd basically have to strip out every piece of computer gear to convert a 4xe to gas-only.

No, stuff like HP tuners can program their own proxy configuration to the vehicle, which is what you'd need to tell the modules what type of engine it has. It's how we're able to swap hemis etc into our vehicles without terribly much electrical effort.

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[us3r1d]

No, stuff like HP tuners can program their own proxy configuration to the vehicle, which is what you'd need to tell the modules what type of engine it has. It's how we're able to swap hemis etc into our vehicles without terribly much electrical effort.

Correct me if I'm wrong; like I said, I know computers, not cars.

But tuners just set variables; they don't replace any code. They tell the modules things like 'this is your tire size" and "use this fuel burn curve", they don't have the ability to send a new block of code for a controller to tell it to stop checking the HV battery SOH. So if a module is expecting 4xe-specific data, a tuner can't make it not do that and it will fail if used without the 4xe parts it expects to see.

I know it's called "reprogramming", but it's not programming in _that_ sense.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Correct me if I'm wrong; like I said, I know computers, not cars.

But tuners just set variables; they don't replace any code. They tell the modules things like 'this is your tire size" and "use this fuel burn curve", they don't have the ability to send a new block of code for a controller to tell it to stop checking the HV battery SOH. So if a module is expecting 4xe-specific data, a tuner can't make it not do that and it will fail if used without the 4xe parts it expects to see.

I know it's called "reprogramming", but it's not programming in _that_ sense.

They hemi swap etorque models regularly, who's computer was looking for the 48v battery, managing the 48v charging system that then charged the 12v battery via DC to DC inverter. Extra cooling system that gets deleted etc. I think you're picturing a piggy back tuner that just manipulates inputs and outputs tricking the ecu into increasing fuel etc. In my understanding an actual tune is rewriting code. If you can hemi swap a 2.0t or 3.6L with etorque without replacing all of the modules there's no reason a 4xe would be different.

 

[us3r1d]

They hemi swap etorque models regularly

Huh; that wouldn't be as deep an integration as the 4xe, but I take your point that it would require the same kind of capabilities.

Thanks.

 

[alphawolff]

Correct me if I'm wrong; like I said, I know computers, not cars.

But tuners just set variables; they don't replace any code. They tell the modules things like 'this is your tire size" and "use this fuel burn curve", they don't have the ability to send a new block of code for a controller to tell it to stop checking the HV battery SOH. So if a module is expecting 4xe-specific data, a tuner can't make it not do that and it will fail if used without the 4xe parts it expects to see.

I know it's called "reprogramming", but it's not programming in _that_ sense.

our modules are just variables. what engine? what transmission? do you have blind spot sensors? tire sensors? lockers? etc. just tell it what's in there, and so long as it's OEM and used with that module on some platform it'll work without much fuss.

check out a wi-tech vehicle configuration report and you'll see what i mean

 

[dlong1119]

I saw some discussion recently and a link to a shop that was offering a 4xe-Hemi swap for around 40-43k. I checked out their page and they seemed legit but now I can't find it again and am really annoyed as I thought I had for sure bookmarked it.

 

[BXFXJeep]

Factor in at the 10 year mark, to the 4xe is just another rust bucket like every other JL.

 

[ag4ever]

K.

And I don't think any aftermarket hackery does anything that actually replaces the programming on any module; all I've seen is OBD interface dongles that feed their own signals to the CAN bus.

Then I'm gonna stand by what I said earlier that you'd basically have to strip out every piece of computer gear to convert a 4xe to gas-only.

Not sure on FCA computers, but for GM computers you can load a complete new program from a totally different vehicle type as long as it uses the same computer hardware. That is using EFI Live or HP Tuners. It is a complete software replacement.

 

[us3r1d]

as long as it uses the same computer hardware

I haven't looked through the modules to see how many of the 4xe's would be reusable that way. It is nice to hear that at least _some_ of the computers on these things might be reusable.

 

[ag4ever]

I think the body controller is specific to trim, ie Sport, Sahara, Rubicon. Or it might be specific to transfer case.

There are 392 owners that swap part of the full time transfer case that has clutches for one from a rubicon that is part time. Along with this swap, you have to swap out the body controller.

If you want to convert a 4xe into a non-hybrid, my method would be to buy a salvage wrecked non-hybrid and swap the drivetrain to the 4xe including wiring and computers.

 

[Zandcwhite]

I think the body controller is specific to trim, ie Sport, Sahara, Rubicon. Or it might be specific to transfer case.

There are 392 owners that swap part of the full time transfer case that has clutches for one from a rubicon that is part time. Along with this swap, you have to swap out the body controller.

If you want to convert a 4xe into a non-hybrid, my method would b to buy a salvage wrecked non-hybrid and swap the drivetrain to the 4xe including wiring and computers.

I know people that swap in Rubicon cases into the other trims don't need to do anything more than update the computer for the 4-1 lo range so I don't think you're info is correct.

 

[ag4ever]

I know people that swap in Rubicon cases into the other trims don't need to do anything more than update the computer for the 4-1 lo range so I don't think you're info is correct.

Your scenario might be correct, but it is not the scenario I laid out.

 

[Zandcwhite]

Your scenario might be correct, but it is not the scenario I laid out.

Swapping a tcase is swaping a tcase, the scenario you laid out. I highly doubt you need a computer swap for any of them, but maybe the 392 is unique?

 

[alphawolff]

Swapping a tcase is swaping a tcase, the scenario you laid out. I highly doubt you need a computer swap for any of them, but maybe the 392 is unique?

you quite literally just swap out the transfer case sales code with the new one in the proxy settings and boom done

 

[Roger Garrett]

Before I purchased my 2023 Sahara 4xe, I read a lot about the potential failure of the high voltage battery. I purchased the extended warranty through the dealership....the best they offered. Sure enough, at 52,000 miles, without experiencing a single problem with this vehicle for nearly 3 years, it dropped me in a parking lot 50 miles from home. Charging system requires service message, a picture of an engine, and it wouldnt start. I eventually got it to start......either by accidentally turning off the regenerative braking option, or the Jeep did it on its own. I managed to get home, took it to the dealer the next day, and they said it is the EV battery (actually the high voltage, HV battery), and they gave me a loaner vehicle (nice bronco) and said they would contact me when the Jeep is ready. They estimated a week for delivery of the battery. They told me the part number is slightly different than my vehicle, so perhaps an improved version? They said they've dine a lot of these battery replacements.

Bullet dodged, or am I in for a dubious ride?

UPDATE:

As many suggested, 1 week was unrealistic. The battery pack was to ship via FedEx and arrive at the dealership on May 27, about 4 weeks after the vehicle was diagnosed. The battery pack arrived late on June 1, and the vehicle was available for pickup the next day. So........a few days over 4 weeks, all the while driving a Ford Bronco low end model, which was a pretty average to below average vehicle........but hey, I put 2300 miles on it I stead of the Wrangler. I will not consider a Bronco because of this experience.

On the 40 mile drive home from the dealership, the Wrangler ran perfectly. When I arrived in my town, I switched from hybrid to electric mode, and the vehicle showed as much on the dash, but it remained in hybrid mode functionally. No message to say that electric mode was temporarily unavailable or that the oil was being refressed, so I called the dealership and explained the issue. We surmised it could be a refresh mode, but they had test driven the electric mode and it was fine (as did I before getting on the highway). We agreed I should drive it another day and monitor it, and they could address the issue if it continued. I stopped at a store on the way home, and when I started the vehicle up agsin, my engine light popped on. My phone immediately alerted me to take the vehicle in for service for a drivetrain malfunction......note: not a charging system issue.

I called the dealership back, and they sent the Bronco out with a driver and picked up the Wrangler. A day later, they returned the Wrangler, and it is driving perfectly. Apparently, when they topped off the coolant during the battery replacement, an air bubble got into the system and the computer interpreted the coolant as being too low. The codes were cleared, the air bubble addressed, and I am driving in electric mode in town without issues. The battery, which was only charging to 22-24 miles distance, is now back up to the full 28 mile charge.

Fingers crossed it will go another 52,000 miles with the same flawless performance as the first 52,000 before possible issues again appear.

Roger Garrett

PS........it would be great if the EV haters simply stayed off the thread. Their comments are useless to 4xe owners. We are working towards solving problems, not insulting others. Thanks.

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