Just Stone Me: Any way to turn ESS ON when I want?

[Darter02]

I know everyone hates the ESS and there are many methods of disabling it, from pushing the off button to rewiring the batteries.

I have a unique need. I take a lot of photography and one of the genres is wildlife. There are many times I've spotted an animal/bird/whatever as I'm driving.

I keep a long lensed camera hanging between my front seats in a homemade sling. When I stop and the ESS kicks on it makes it nicer to shoot out my windows.

Naturally the sound disturbing the subject is part of my wanting to turn ESS on, the main reason is so that I can HEAR better.

I can get get pretty focused on what I'm doing. I like being able to easily hear other vehicles coming. Usually I'm on rural gravel roads but it's very hilly/twisting terrain and I've been caught by surprise before. Silence is good.

So, and I know that this is counter to everything in the forums here, is there a way to wire the ESS to an AUX switch or somewhere that can turn the ESS on?

I don't want to just shutdown the vehicle using the ignition. I may have to shoot and scoot and it also disconnects the bluetooth connection between my phone and system.

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[Tellurian]

I'm not quite sure if there is a way to force it on because the ESS needs certain criteria checked off prior to it shutting off the engine. You would need something to override the software that checks these conditions.

Possible Reasons The Engine Does Not Autostop
Prior to engine shut down, the system will check many safety and comfort conditions to see if they are fulfilled. Detailed information about the operation of the Stop/Start system may be viewed in the instrument cluster display Stop/Start Screen. In the following situations, the engine will not stop:

Driver’s seat belt is not buckled.
Driver’s door is not closed.
Battery temperature is too warm or cold.
Battery charge is low.
The vehicle is on a steep grade.
Cabin heating or cooling is in process and an acceptable cabin temperature has not been
achieved.
HVAC is set to full defrost mode at a high blower speed.
HVAC set to MAX A/C.
Engine has not reached normal operating temperature.
Engine temperature too high.
The transmission is not in a forward gear (assuming you have an AT)
Hood is open.
Transfer case is in 4L or Neutral.
Brake pedal is not pressed with sufficient pressure.

Side bar - Great photos! Was the picture of the Bison taken in Custer State Park by chance?

 

[Darter02]

Side bar - Great photos! Was the picture of the Bison taken in Custer State Park by chance?

Thanks for the details in how the system works. I see a few items on that list that keep it from turning on when I wish it would. I'll have to start training myself on how to engage it when I want, if I can? Just learn to meet the requirements? Maybe I'll create a checklist... LOL

As for the bison, it was taken not far from our home in Wisconsin. We live in the southern Driftless Area. That means, it's not been bulldozed by massive glaciers like most of the state. There are a number of prairie restoration and remnants around. By focusing on photographing them I spend a lot of time exploring. I found a ranch with a sizable herd only twenty minutes away. 🦬

Basically, I use my Wrangler as a mobile photography platform.

 

[Tellurian]

Oh wow, that's fantastic. Back in September, I took two weeks off and traveled out that way because I wanted to see two things: Mount Rushmore, and Bison. I ended up heading north into Michigan so that I could see the Upper Peninsula and cut through Wisconsin. I have to say, Wisconsin's beauty blew my mind and it was one of my favorite stops during the trip. I had planned to stay in Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest but severe weather pushed me south but still north of Black River Falls.

Great photos BTW! I'm a big fan of the Ocean Blue as well, but recognize I'm a little bias...

 

[aldo98229]

Get the Wrangler 4Xe.

FCA won’t shut up about how quiet it’s going to be.

 

[Darter02]

Get the Wrangler 4Xe.

While I hear you, I buy Wranglers and then keep them for a long time. This is my third. I had a 1989, a 2004 and now a 2019. It will be a while before I get another. It does look interesting, but so does the diesel, and the 392...

 

[aldo98229]

While I hear you, I buy Wranglers and then keep them for a long time. This is my third. I had a 1989, a 2004 and now a 2019. It will be a while before I get another. It does look interesting, but so does the diesel, and the 392...

The diesel clatter wouldn’t let you get within 100 feet of a deaf bird.

 

[Darter02]

The diesel clatter wouldn’t let you get within 100 feet of a deaf bird.

I would be TOTALLY throwing out my current usage of my vehicle, yes. But I just drove to Portland and back, towing a packed 6x6x12 trailer from there home. (Fire evacuation of a senior) The diesel would have been sweet.

 

[631_Islander]

Thanks for the details in how the system works. I see a few items on that list that keep it from turning on when I wish it would. I'll have to start training myself on how to engage it when I want, if I can? Just learn to meet the requirements? Maybe I'll create a checklist... LOL

As for the bison, it was taken not far from our home in Wisconsin. We live in the southern Driftless Area. That means, it's not been bulldozed by massive glaciers like most of the state. There are a number of prairie restoration and remnants around. By focusing on photographing them I spend a lot of time exploring. I found a ranch with a sizable herd only twenty minutes away. 🦬

Basically, I use my Wrangler as a mobile photography platform.

OP I have another sidebar question for you. The Decal on the side of your Jeep reads either "Aptal" or "Aplal" in Hindi (antenna blocks the second last letter in the pic). Possible to know where you got that Decal from? I am trying to get some Decals in my native language (Punjabi - another of the Indian Languages that is written very similarly to Hindi).

Secondly what does the Decal mean?

GREAT pictures btw!

 

[631_Islander]

The diesel clatter wouldn’t let you get within 100 feet of a deaf bird.

Same with the 392. That seems to be a loud rumbler also!

The 4xe seems to be good but someone in a thread showed that it costs $82k before taxes and fees. Umm....no thanks. Guess I will keep my 2020 JLUR 3.6 without eTorque and that smooth 8 speed.

 

[mgroeger]

Ummm... maybe just push this button when you stop to take your picture??

 

[Darter02]

Ummm... maybe just push this button when you stop to take your picture??

Like I said, I don't want to delay getting moving anymore than I have to, and the bluetooth disconnects. While that last is not a huge issue, it's distracting.

 

[Darter02]

OP I have another sidebar question for you. The Decal on the side of your Jeep reads either "Aptal" or "Aplal" in Hindi (antenna blocks the second last letter in the pic). Possible to know where you got that Decal from? I am trying to get some Decals in my native language (Punjabi - another of the Indian Languages that is written very similarly to Hindi).

Secondly what does the Decal mean?

GREAT pictures btw!

Very close! It's sanskrit for the name of an accident dragon from Asia called "Apalāla."

Before the pandemic my clients included the nearby Tibetan Monastery that the 14th Dalia Lama set up here in the 1980's. I actually got to get to greet His Holiness the last time he visited. While not Buddhist, I appreciate having monks in my life.

I also used to shoot sports, with a focus on amateur boxing. I took photos for the Wisconsin Golden Gloves and we had one National Champion make the 2020 Olympics with Team USA.

Fitness photography is another genre I've had to set aside for a while. Currently I'm focused on nature and other solo shooting gigs.

Edited to add: Pixeldecal here in the forums makes all stuff. The boar on the door is my custom celtic pig.

 

[mgroeger]

Like I said, I don't want to delay getting moving anymore than I have to, and the bluetooth disconnects. While that last is not a huge issue, it's distracting.

OK, I didn't catch the bluetooth part. You really are in a bind then because so much needs to be happening for the ESS to work. Even if it kicks off for you all it takes it bumping the steering wheel enough and it will kick on.
On the surface your idea of wiring it to an aux switch sounds good but I think you might be playing with fire there because you are bypassing the computer.
Pressing the start/stop button twice is the only option I can think of. This will turn the Jeep off but then put your BT back connected.

 

[multicam]

Add to the list: your front wheels need to be straight. If they’re turned, the ESS doesn’t engage because the jeep assumes you’re about to make a left turn in front of traffic (or possibly some other reason like the power draw required to straighten the wheels).

edit: amazing pictures by the way, especially that last one

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