Ongoing Electrical Gremlins - 2021 Ecodiesel

[GearWhore]

Some of you may remember the saga of my diesel JL and the oil leak (+ more!) repairs last year and this spring. Well, I got pretty fed up and beat down going in circles with @JeepCares case managers and others. Long story short, it was at a dealer for 70 days from Sept-Nov, but when I got it back it still wasn't repaired and I had to take it to a second dealer further away. That dealer was able to get me back on the road, but I have had to return 5 times now for ongoing electrical gremlins. Most of the time it seems to be due to low voltage, but dealer keeps testing my batteries and such saying everything tests normal.

But I keep getting error messages.

I've been noticing my battery voltage fluctuates a lot while driving (from 11.8v-14.6v per dash readout). Lately the voltage at start-up has been quite low, and yesterday it was 11.7v when I went out to start it.

This afternoon I opened the garage to the wipers slowly skipping across the windshield, clicking from the relays, dash blinking, and the occasional chime. I lifted the wipers off the glass to prevent further damage there, and the relay stopped clicking, but otherwise symptoms remain. Really not what I want to be dealing with right now.

I did a quick, crappy video to document it and to see if there were any ideas about a cause out there.

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[Jeepiner]

You mentioned you had Dealer #2 test the batteries, and they said the batteries 'tested normal'. Electrical gremlins persist.

Have you tried replacing the batteries, and see if that solves the gremlins? Also, I can tell you from personal experience that if your Jeep sat without a battery tender at the dealer for 70 days -- they are more than likely shot to shit. Regardless of what the tests show.

 

[GearWhore]

Batteries were tested by Dealer #2, failed and both replaced in late December 2022 (after the 70-day sit). Since then I've still had intermittent EVIC error messages (Start/Stop Not Ready; ACC Unavailable Service Required; FCW Unavailable Service Required; Cruise Control Unavailable Service Required; Service Electronic Stability Control...). Dealer #2 has tested the new batteries and other electrical components several times and keeps saying all tests pass.

 

[Jeepiner]

Batteries were tested by Dealer #2, failed and both replaced in late December 2022 (after the 70-day sit). Since then I've still had intermittent EVIC error messages (Start/Stop Not Ready; ACC Unavailable Service Required; FCW Unavailable Service Required; Cruise Control Unavailable Service Required; Service Electronic Stability Control...). Dealer #2 has tested the new batteries and other electrical components several times and keeps saying all tests pass.

After replacement, did you:

1.) Clear initial codes​

2.) Reset the intelligent battery sensor (IBS)? Very important after a new battery install.​

If you haven’t done those two things, I would start there. Anything beyond that is out of my wheelhouse. Hopefully the above recommended (or something equally as simple) solves the problem.

If all else fails, see if an aux battery delete would improve things.

* And though the least likely issue in this case. It is still possible that the replacement batteries are faulty in some way

 

[GearWhore]

Thanks for the recommendations.

Battery dates are Dec 2022 (same month they were installed). One line item in that repair order is reprogram the ECM. IBS was reset 3 visits (and 6 weeks) later, along with "ABS initialization."

Again, I'm at a loss.

Tried to jump the Jeep tonight but it wouldn't go. Charger sitting on it now.

I'll be calling for another service appointment tomorrow.

 

[GearWhore]

And the fun has only started!

TLDR: Jeep died on Friday. Called JeepWave and roadside assistance. Was told I'd have a tow Friday, then Saturday, then Monday morning. Tow finally arrived Monday afternoon. Was also told I'd be able to rent a vehicle and get reimbursed, but no availability near my Jeep and costs much above what JeepWave approved.

Thursday the Jeep was doing the same wiper skip and clicking. No start. Called @JeepCares and they connected me with roadside assistance to get a jump start. It worked.

Friday I was supposed to babysit my nephews ~35 miles away. Opened garage to find the Jeep dead again. Again called @JeepCares and I was again connected to roadside service for a jump start. I was about 45 minutes late to the boys, but my sister was able to make it work.

On the drive I was consistently getting error messages on the dash, and the voltage reading was consistently in the mid-11s, though occasionally would jump to mid-13s.

8 miles from my destination Jeep beeped, ACC cancelled, steering pump shut off, and it seemed like power was reduced. I was on a narrow road with a lot of traffic, but fortunately it didn't cut all power and I was able to keep driving. I also got notification "Service DEF System See Dealer."

5 miles after that I came to a stop light. When the Jeep came to a stop, I got a chime and the EVIC said "Shift into park then select desired gear" or something similar. It was in gear. Fortunately I was able to shift into park, back into drive, and then continue driving.

When I got to my sister's house and stopped, the Jeep shut down completely.

I walked to the Jeep dealer literally a block from her house and spoke with the service writer. Earliest appointment available is September 21, 2 weeks away, which I booked. They were understaffed and couldn't help me get my Jeep the block to them and suggested I call roadside assistance again for a tow.

I once again called @JeepCares , who again connected me with the automated roadside assistance. This time no one came or made contact.

I tried calling the 800 number provided for roadside assistance, but after going through the menu tree I encountered a recording saying the call center was now closed and was disconnected.

I spent the night at my sister's house and called @JeepCares again on Saturday morning. I explained the situation to the rep again, and was told they'd reconnect me with roadside assistance to start a new service claim. I was also told I'd be able to rent a vehicle and get reimbursed for three days to start.

Well, roadside assistance didn't have any options for a tow until today, Monday morning. Also, the only vehicle rental outfit in town was closed until Monday, the next closest (20 miles away) was sold out, and the closest available was 30+ miles away. I called around and was able to get a friend to drive me the 35 miles home Saturday afternoon.

This afternoon (Monday) I got a text from my sister that my Jeep was still in front of her house. I replied to the Stellantis roadside texts that my service had not been completed. A while later I was called by a rep from roadside to tell me that the tow company had declined their fee offer and they hadn't found anyone to tow my Jeep. A while after that I finally received a text that the tow truck was en-route, roughly 72 hours after my initial call for assistance.

I am home, but without a vehicle. Jeep dealer didn't have loaner available until a week after my service appointment. Rental vehicle rates are 25-100% over the allowance JeepCares rep told me, and three days isn't exactly a replacement. I'm not interested in paying an additional $150+ per week/$600+ per month to have an economy car while also continuing full payments on the Jeep that is undriveable.

Yay.

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