Stuck in hybrid mode

[thedoorman]

My 4xe displayed a CEL and a message regarding the electric mode (it only displayed it once briefly and I didn't catch it), once that happened I lost the ability to choose between modes. The 4xe is stuck in hybrid mode, with a persistent CEL and inability to choose another mode. Also the blue light on the control unit won't turn on.

Its not FORM, as I've already been through that and it mostly runs under electric power. Even on the rare occasion when the ICE turns on, it eventually switches back to full electric when stopped at a light.

It doesn't seem to be the "Electric Mode Unavailable-Cabin Heating or Cooling" as I think that's a cold weather issue, I live in South Florida, and it runs on the battery fine.

I have around 1400 miles, have not changed the oil or any other service, and it has never shutdown on me while driving. I scanned it with an OBD2 scanner, but it can't read the code.

I have an appointment for service next weekend, but wanted to check in with the forum to hear what you all think.

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[2manyhobbies]

My bet is it has to do with the battery cooling system. My POS has had a CEL now for almost 4,000 miles. I live in Tennessee. In the last couple of days, it has not gone into electric mode except once - and I got a turtle warning to stop immediately and shift into park so that the ICE could start. I’m really just about fed up with Jeep’s horrible service capabilities or lack thereof. I can stomach the first year bugs (I had zero cabin heat for a few months last year - that was fixed just in time for winter).

 

[JLSmitty]

Sounds exactly like what happened to mine and it was nothing more than the electrical connector came undone from the switch bank, what you are calling the control unit that you were able to push the buttons to select the drive modes. Pop that out of your dash and make sure it is plugged in. I suspect it came undone and once you plug it back in you will have no more problems.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...buttons-not-working-found-trouble-code.81438/

 

[thedoorman]

Sounds exactly like what happened to mine and it was nothing more than the electrical connector came undone from the switch bank, what you are calling the control unit that you were able to push the buttons to select the drive modes. Pop that out of your dash and make sure it is plugged in. I suspect it came undone and once you plug it back in you will have no more problems.

https://www.jlwranglerforums.com/fo...buttons-not-working-found-trouble-code.81438/

Yup, this feels like it's it. How hard is it to take out the switch bank?

 

[JLSmitty]

Yup, this feels like it's it. How hard is it to take out the switch bank?

It wasn’t too hard. I just used a really tiny flat head screwdriver. The connector that plugs in is on the very back of the switch bank but plugs in from the bottom side, so the switch bank comes out angled down just slightly so that the connector plugged into the bottom will come out of the hole in the dash as well. There are two tabs on the top and two on the bottom that if you push down on them in the right place it will allow the face of the switch bank to pop out of the dash. Start with the two on the top so that the top is out slightly more than the bottom which will make it face down just slightly and then work on getting the two on the bottom to release and the whole assembly will slide right out of the dash. It’s probably between 2 to 3 inches long overall from the front of it to the very back where the connector should slide on. The connector just pushes on and has a plastic loop it catches on a plastic tab on the back of the switch bank.

 

[thedoorman]

It wasn’t too hard. I just used a really tiny flat head screwdriver. The connector that plugs in is on the very back of the switch bank but plugs in from the bottom side, so the switch bank comes out angled down just slightly so that the connector plugged into the bottom will come out of the hole in the dash as well. There are two tabs on the top and two on the bottom that if you push down on them in the right place it will allow the face of the switch bank to pop out of the dash. Start with the two on the top so that the top is out slightly more than the bottom which will make it face down just slightly and then work on getting the two on the bottom to release and the whole assembly will slide right out of the dash. It’s probably between 2 to 3 inches long overall from the front of it to the very back where the connector should slide on. The connector just pushes on and has a plastic loop it catches on a plastic tab on the back of the switch bank.

Awesome, thank you so much

 

[2manyhobbies]

Today my Jeep almost stranded me at Home Depot. Got a charging system fault, and the heap would not start. Luckily I was still at Home Depot, so I went in to buy a wrench. Disconnected the battery for 10 seconds or so, then reconnected it. Luckily it started up so that I could make it home.

I did call the dealership while trying to figure out what to do, and advised them I was not going to wait for my appointment on 5/12 to have this issue fixed (appointment was made on 4/1). It will be there first thing in the morning.

It is amazing how having a $60k car strand you can really get the blood boiling.

 

[thedoorman]

Today my Jeep almost stranded me at Home Depot. Got a charging system fault, and the heap would not start. Luckily I was still at Home Depot, so I went in to buy a wrench. Disconnected the battery for 10 seconds or so, then reconnected it. Luckily it started up so that I could make it home.

I did call the dealership while trying to figure out what to do, and advised them I was not going to wait for my appointment on 5/12 to have this issue fixed (appointment was made on 4/1). It will be there first thing in the morning.

It is amazing how having a $60k car strand you can really get the blood boiling.

Terrible. Really hope that issue gets resolved. I tried disconnecting the battery and the IDCM fuse as well, but didn't work. Love my 4XE and I knew there might be some growing pains going in, but doesn't feel great when its happening to you.

 

[thedoorman]

It wasn’t too hard. I just used a really tiny flat head screwdriver. The connector that plugs in is on the very back of the switch bank but plugs in from the bottom side, so the switch bank comes out angled down just slightly so that the connector plugged into the bottom will come out of the hole in the dash as well. There are two tabs on the top and two on the bottom that if you push down on them in the right place it will allow the face of the switch bank to pop out of the dash. Start with the two on the top so that the top is out slightly more than the bottom which will make it face down just slightly and then work on getting the two on the bottom to release and the whole assembly will slide right out of the dash. It’s probably between 2 to 3 inches long overall from the front of it to the very back where the connector should slide on. The connector just pushes on and has a plastic loop it catches on a plastic tab on the back of the switch bank.

This worked for me! Thanks!

 

[JLSmitty]

This worked for me! Thanks!

You’re welcome and glad to hear it was an easy fix

 

[N8213]

Amazing how many problems on our jeeps come back to shoddy workmanship in the assembly of them. Shame as they generally appear to be well engineered.

Fortunately so far no issues on ours - 13 k miles and have only been to the dealer for service and one recall.

 

[2manyhobbies]

Terrible. Really hope that issue gets resolved. I tried disconnecting the battery and the IDCM fuse as well, but didn't work. Love my 4XE and I knew there might be some growing pains going in, but doesn't feel great when its happening to you.

it actually went from bad to worse. The Motor Generator Unit had multiple codes. This is unrelated to the battery heating issue that popped up in February, causing me to lose true hybrid mode. The one nice thing is the dealer came through with a loaner car today. That’s good, as they said we could be looking at weeks…

I will pull the trigger on the order for a new Rubicon with the 3.6L tomorrow. Between the tax savings from last year, and the $53k that Carvana has offered, I’ll be a little ahead when the new rig arrives. The 4XE experiment has been fun.

 

[HeidiHoForTheHills]

It doesn't seem to be the "Electric Mode Unavailable-Cabin Heating or Cooling" as I think that's a cold-weather issue, I live in South Florida, and it runs on the battery fine.

Nope...I am in the Bay Area, California and my 4xe is having this issue (Electric Mode Unavailable Cabin Heating or Cooling). Took it to the dealer already once and it is going back because they didn't resolve the issue.

 

[mllcb42]

Nope...I am in the Bay Area, California and my 4xe is having this issue (Electric Mode Unavailable Cabin Heating or Cooling). Took it to the dealer already once and it is going back because they didn't resolve the issue.

Sounds like your electric heater is locked out and needs replaced. There's a star case that outlines what the dealer needs to do to fix it.

 

[2manyhobbies]

My Jeep has been hard down for coming up on two weeks. Apparently the MGU that is needed to get it running again is on back order. I am grateful for the loaner Renegade that they gave me. But I do miss my Jeep.

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