Strike Four, You're OUT

[Jeep Wick]

I love everything about my '21 JLU Willys Edition, except the Auxiliary Battery and the pesky Battery Charge Warning Light. The first time the Warning Light appeared, maybe a year or so into ownership, the dealer replaced both the Main Battery and Auxiliary Battery. Everything was fine until the warning light appeared again, maybe a year or so later. The dealer installed a new Auxiliary Battery, which did not charge. That didn't solve the problem so back to the dealer, this time to replace the Main Battery. Four new batteries to the dump, and counting. About a year ago, the Jeep wouldn't start. You guessed it: Battery Warning Light back on. Called AAA, who helped me jump start the Main Battery. Then back to the dealer, who replaced both the Main and Auxiliary Batteries. Now six relatively new batteries had been removed and sent to the dump. The local Jeep dealer suggested coming in to test the batteries before the first 36 months went by, as the "Extended Warranty" does not cover the one problem I keep having with the Auxiliary Battery. Two weeks ago, after driving the day before, the Jeep wouldn't start. This time, the same AAA driver came by, jump started the battery, but the Battery Charge Warning Light stayed on. With six relatively new batteries in the local dump, a Jeep that wouldn't start, the prospect of buying two more batteries despite an "Extended Warranty", less than 29k miles in under 39 months, lots of money spent on mods, clean Carfax and nothing else wrong other than not starting, a Warranty that doesn't cover the things that break, six relatively new batteries in the dump, and getting to know the local AAA Roadside Assistance guy who remembered the last visit, that was it. I traded in my Jeep. I loved my Jeep but need something that starts when I press the ignition. No need for @JeepCares, but as so many know, the Auxiliary Battery is a defective design, and I will gladly work with a Class Action attorney or @NHTSA.

Sounds like a parasitic drain. What did you install a year into ownership? Was it the winch?

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[SargeDiesel]

I love everything about my '21 JLU Willys Edition, except the Auxiliary Battery and the pesky Battery Charge Warning Light. The first time the Warning Light appeared, maybe a year or so into ownership, the dealer replaced both the Main Battery and Auxiliary Battery. Everything was fine until the warning light appeared again, maybe a year or so later. The dealer installed a new Auxiliary Battery, which did not charge. That didn't solve the problem so back to the dealer, this time to replace the Main Battery. Four new batteries to the dump, and counting. About a year ago, the Jeep wouldn't start. You guessed it: Battery Warning Light back on. Called AAA, who helped me jump start the Main Battery. Then back to the dealer, who replaced both the Main and Auxiliary Batteries. Now six relatively new batteries had been removed and sent to the dump. The local Jeep dealer suggested coming in to test the batteries before the first 36 months went by, as the "Extended Warranty" does not cover the one problem I keep having with the Auxiliary Battery. Two weeks ago, after driving the day before, the Jeep wouldn't start. This time, the same AAA driver came by, jump started the battery, but the Battery Charge Warning Light stayed on. With six relatively new batteries in the local dump, a Jeep that wouldn't start, the prospect of buying two more batteries despite an "Extended Warranty", less than 29k miles in under 39 months, lots of money spent on mods, clean Carfax and nothing else wrong other than not starting, a Warranty that doesn't cover the things that break, six relatively new batteries in the dump, and getting to know the local AAA Roadside Assistance guy who remembered the last visit, that was it. I traded in my Jeep. I loved my Jeep but need something that starts when I press the ignition. No need for @JeepCares, but as so many know, the Auxiliary Battery is a defective design, and I will gladly work with a Class Action attorney or @NHTSA.

It sounds like you have another hidden issue causing the battery issues you are experiencing.

Yes, I've been around a minute, so I know the deal with our batteries.

Did you experience the battery problem before any mods ? Did you track down all of the connections and grounds for the battery ? Have you tested the IBS or the alternator ?

Seems like there were plenty to do before giving up.

Atleast you didn't title the thread...
"The last Jeep I'll ever own".?

 

[SargeDiesel]

Speaking of Tacomas, I had wondered why my phone mount had Wrangler and Tacoma printed on it, in terms of compatibility.

Turns out, there's more than a passing similarity betwixt our dashboards. The vents are just Exhibit A.

I like your windshield better ???

 

[SargeDiesel]

For the crowd, what is the fix? I mean manufacturers fix, not the remove the aux battery and pull some fuses work around, which technically, is not a fix, it’s a bandaid.

Glass half full ?

Actually it does fix the issue... not just limp you along(bandaid).

Is it ideal we have to do it ? No
Should the manufacturer "fix" the issue ? Yes

IMO... to find the answers and fill in the blanks, we really need to find out why some people burn through 6 batteries and yet there are OG members here still using the original batteries.

 

[SargeDiesel]

Just because you would trade for a Taco. Everyone has their own needs. My wish list is: more comfortable, multi-adjustable leather seats, great ride on road-or-off, latest tech but not dominated by large and bright iPad-size screen. BTW, the wait list here for the Hybrid Tacomas is in the hundreds, including several friends. But I'd prefer the comfort of a Range Rover and the reliability and hybrid technology of a Toyota. Still looking...

Well when you said Range Rover... then it all made sense. Thanks for the clarification.

It would have been easier to just say:

I made a mistake, bought a Jeep... quickly found out, "I'm not a Jeep person ".

Then you could have titled the thread,
" the last jeep I'll ever own".

 

[Jeffy56]

In all this time yes, someone should have checked for a parasitic electrical drain and checked or replaced the Alternator.

 

[YTBlue]

You obviously didn't read everything. He stated if he did the fuse delete the dealer told him it would void is current and extended warranty. He took it to the dealer for a fix not an open appt to keep coming back for a new battery.

Thank you. I bought an extended warranty because I intended to keep my Jeep. I spent a lot of money on mods because my Jeep was the first vehicle I have owned that allowed me to make it my own. I installed seat jackers and Katzkin leather seats in hopes the Jeep would be more comfortable. (Jeep must have known their customers wanted more comfort when they added power-adjusted front seats this year.) I intended to keep my Jeep for a long time, but when I press the ignition I like it when my Jeep starts, and I didn't want to void the warranty. Funny how commenters see one word in a post -- Tacoma or Land Rover -- and riff on that. That doesn't mean I want a Taco or Land Rover.

 

[azjl#3]

Well when you said Range Rover... then it all made sense. Thanks for the clarification.

It would have been easier to just say:

I made a mistake, bought a Jeep... quickly found out, "I'm not a Jeep person ".

Then you could have titled the thread,
" the last jeep I'll ever own".

Agreed, I noted I think lead acid batteries last few years, even worse than before. All brands.

 

[MK212MX]

Thank you. I bought an extended warranty because I intended to keep my Jeep. I spent a lot of money on mods because my Jeep was the first vehicle I have owned that allowed me to make it my own. I installed seat jackers and Katzkin leather seats in hopes the Jeep would be more comfortable. (Jeep must have known their customers wanted more comfort when they added power-adjusted front seats this year.) I intended to keep my Jeep for a long time, but when I press the ignition I like it when my Jeep starts, and I didn't want to void the warranty. Funny how commenters see one word in a post -- Tacoma or Land Rover -- and riff on that. That doesn't mean I want a Taco or Land Rover.

I have a 2022 Tacoma double cab with the long six foot bed and love it. The Jeep is my toy.

 

[MK212MX]

They aren’t going to cancel the WHOLE warranty if you deleted or bypassed the aux. Calm down.

Bypassing would be smarter if you plan to bring it in to the dealer because it’s easy enough to put it back.

And yes, I’ve bought many cars out of warranty and worked on them myself or had a reliable mechanic. The Jeep dealer is the last place I would bring it to.

Let me quote Aaron Rodgers R-E-L-A-X! I'm not wound up, it is just funny how people can't seem to comprehend and put themselves in others shoes and get it.

If he performs the fuse replacement home fix it will void the warranty on the system that is failing him. So how does that make sense for him to fix it himself? He purchased the extended warranty so he didn't have to work on the Jeep. A lot of people do this. Since he purchased the extended warranty I believe he has to go back to the dealer so you can't take it to Bob down the street either. I don't blame the OP for being pissed.

 

[Punkn89]

Let me quote Aaron Rodgers R-E-L-A-X! I'm not wound up, it is just funny how people can't seem to comprehend and put themselves in others shoes and get it.

If he performs the fuse replacement home fix it will void the warranty on the system that is failing him. So how does that make sense for him to fix it himself? He purchased the extended warranty so he didn't have to work on the Jeep. A lot of people do this. Since he purchased the extended warranty I believe he has to go back to the dealer so you can't take it to Bob down the street either. I don't blame the OP for being pissed.

To reverse bypass the aux, you put the fuse and negative cable back to where they were before, then you can bring the Jeep to the dealer and they will have no clue it was ever bypassed.

You can take your Jeep to ANY mechanic and it will not void the warranty. You are not tied to the Jeep dealer just because you have a warranty.

Anyone buying a vehicle should do their research. It takes all of 5 minutes to read the most common issue with these Jeeps are with batteries. Considering that, and the fact OP didn’t try any other fix, I feel bad but only to an extent.

So, settle down Nancy.

 

[MK212MX]

To reverse bypass the aux, you put the fuse and negative cable back to where they were before, then you can bring the Jeep to the dealer and they will have no clue it was ever bypassed.

You can take your Jeep to ANY mechanic and it will not void the warranty. You are not tied to the Jeep dealer just because you have a warranty.

Anyone buying a vehicle should do their research. It takes all of 5 minutes to read the most common issue with these Jeeps are with batteries. Considering that, and the fact OP didn’t try any other fix, I feel bad but only to an extent.

So, settle down Nancy.

Technically that is not right Karen. The company that provides the warranty has to approve the repair and the facility. They also have the right to tell you take it to a different shop if they choose. I said I believe it had to go back to the dealer and I stand corrected.

Again you buy the extended warranty to not have to work on the Jeep. So why would he want to pop fuses and connect/disconnect the aux battery before taking it into the dealer? He is still on the standard warranty and has to go to the dealer at this point.

You can do all the research you want, but some fail like this and some last years you never know. But you don't expect it on a new vehicle.

 

[Punkn89]

Technically that is not right Karen. The company that provides the warranty has to approve the repair and the facility. They also have the right to tell you take it to a different shop if they choose. I said I believe it had to go back to the dealer and I stand corrected.

Again you buy the extended warranty to not have to work on the Jeep. So why would he want to pop fuses and connect/disconnect the aux battery before taking it into the dealer? He is still on the standard warranty and has to go to the dealer at this point.

You can do all the research you want, but some fail like this and some last years you never know. But you don't expect it on a new vehicle.

All I said was he isnt tied to using his warranty or going to the Jeep dealer. Sometimes, it is worth paying a little to have a problem correctly diagnosed at an independent shop, rather than taking it back to the same incompetent mechanics at the dealership.

It is SO EASY to bypass/reverse the aux battery. I bet an 8 year old could do it. Broken record at this point.

 

[BLS65]

Factory batteries r junk. I have a 23 and I suspect it will be done in 2yrs. I have a 2919 ram replace battery about 2 ys. I also have a 2020ram still has factory battery But most people just buy a good battery at the parts store and roll on

Same here, my 2019 Ram only went two years on the factory Battery.

 

[grimmjeeper]

Technically that is not right Karen. The company that provides the warranty has to approve the repair and the facility. They also have the right to tell you take it to a different shop if they choose.

Um. No.

You have the legal right to have any ASE certified mechanic do warranty repairs.

The aftermarket warranty company can't force you to take it to any particular shop.

Factory warranty can be performed at any authorized factory service center, i.e. dealership. They can't force you to a particular dealership.

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