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intermittent starter button malfunction

Holymoly1963

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Most of time 2018 Jeep Wrangler starts normally. For last year however, using usual start sequence will not start car. This has happened intermittently- sometimes once a month, sometimes weekly, sometimes daily for 2-3 days and sometimes recurrently on a given day.
When I put foot on brake, then hit start, the button will sequence to accessories but not run and the engine does not start. Sometimes returning to "off" then doing usual sequence works; sometimes I have to go through the sequence up to 4-5 times and then it will start. Sometimes putting key fob next to button helps, sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes locking car and using remote start works, sometimes it doesn't. Fortunately, although I have been stranded for up to 15 minutes but it has to date always eventually started.
I am afraid to go more than 7 miles from home with it(I shop 7 miles from home).
In January 2022 we had it inspected and the problem evaluated by local Jeep dealer, but since problem didn't occur for them and they said they checked out everything pertaining to start issues, we have had to just put up with it.
Appreciate any and all feedback and any knowledge/experience with similar issues!
Thanks!
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Holymoly1963

Holymoly1963

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Yes; replaced car battery 1 year ago- the 12 got and both fob batteries.
 

NMPirate

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Make sure all the fuses are properly seated in the fuse box under the hood. Could be a little gremlin from that ongoing issue. :like:
 
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Holymoly1963

Holymoly1963

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12 volt. The 12 volt I replaced then was only 1 year old; the accessory battery to the 12 volt was also replaced in Jan 2021.
 

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Holymoly1963

Holymoly1963

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Will recheck that but the dealer said they did when the first assessment happened in 2022 jan. I agree that it seems like there is an intermittent electric malfunction of some sort.
 

58Willys

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Definitely check to make sure all fuses all properly seated. Make sure both batteries are charged, disconnect and separate the two batteries, check voltage and load test each one; eliminate that as a problem.

I have a 2018 with good batteries, and every once in a while mine does the same thing as yours. Always starts on the second try though.
 

Rhinebeck01

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There is a good chance that if you replace both the Main and the Auxiliary that the issue will be history.. that is until your Auxiliary battery gets iffy again.

You could also try running with just the Main battery. Bypass the Aux battery and if your issue goes away, then you know the issue is related to an iffy Aux battery.

Do forum research regarding the 2018 and you will find that JL's manufactured early in the 2018 model year will not start if the Aux battery is depleted to a certain point. IF your Aux battery is iffy/borderline voltage wise on occasion it is then the JL will not start..... (Yes, there is an update that you can have applied to your 2018 JL, that changes that behavior I mention in regard to your JL.
 

Mudduck

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If it becoming more frequent I would check/clean the brake safety switch.
 

mwilk012

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Try pressing the brake pedal harder.
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