Sponsored

Wiring a new winch

Mitoni

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2022
Threads
5
Messages
188
Reaction score
174
Location
Florida
Vehicle(s)
2020 JT Rubicon - Crystal Granite
Occupation
Senior Full-Stack Software Developer
I explained this already, but since you didn't read them all, I'll do it again. I skip to the end too when it drags on too long. So, anyway, I took it in a few months ago for the same issue. They ripped just about all of the electrical system out & replaced some computer module. The winch has been in for 10,000 miles, so they should have noticed it then. Who knows it they rerouted it wrong or if it goes back to me. So when I took it in again for the same thing they did a diagnostic on it & the "motor generator unit" needed replaced & it would take a few days for parts. A few days later they called & said while they were replacing the "MGU" they noticed the winch wires frayed. So, the diagnostic was actually done on the warranty repair & the winch problem was discovered when parts came in and they were installing the MGU thing. My responsibility ended up being 96.52 parts & $793.50 labor. The $800 labor ended up being just for the install. For some reason, they unspooled the winch while they did it. It didn't need removed or anything to get to wires. The invoice makes it seems like they did some extensive wire routing to make sure it doesn't happen again. They ended up routing it almost the exact way I had it, just used more zip ties. I accept being an idiot for letting a dealer do an install without a quote. Fool me once.....
Consider yourself lucky. I'm going through hell with my 2023 JL right now for connecting my winch. I connected it right to the battery terminals, and everything worked fine. The following week, I was getting some really strange errors (service shifter, no power steering, not shifting out of first gear), so I got it towed in to the dealer.

Now, keep in mind, this vehicle was 6 days post-purchase and had 151 miles on it. The dealer diagnoses it and finds the MGU has failed. They claim it is caused by a bad connection between the PDC and the MGU, and that the captive nut on the cable connecting the PDC to the MGU was broken loose from the cable. Because I had installed my winch, they immediately called it customer induced damage, restricted my warranty, and it's still at the dealership now, because I am not paying for a repair that they want over $6k for on a vehicle with 151 miles on, especially when the problem was not caused by anything I did. I have a warranty arbitration hearing scheduled for January. I never touched the connection they are referring to, or anything else in the PDC/fuse box. I connected the winch cables direct to the battery, the same I had done in my 2020 Gladiator before it.
Sponsored

 

Dyolfknip74

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2021
Threads
37
Messages
5,236
Reaction score
9,063
Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLU Rubicon
Consider yourself lucky. I'm going through hell with my 2023 JL right now for connecting my winch. I connected it right to the battery terminals, and everything worked fine. The following week, I was getting some really strange errors (service shifter, no power steering, not shifting out of first gear), so I got it towed in to the dealer.

Now, keep in mind, this vehicle was 6 days post-purchase and had 151 miles on it. The dealer diagnoses it and finds the MGU has failed. They claim it is caused by a bad connection between the PDC and the MGU, and that the captive nut on the cable connecting the PDC to the MGU was broken loose from the cable. Because I had installed my winch, they immediately called it customer induced damage, restricted my warranty, and it's still at the dealership now, because I am not paying for a repair that they want over $6k for on a vehicle with 151 miles on, especially when the problem was not caused by anything I did. I have a warranty arbitration hearing scheduled for January. I never touched the connection they are referring to, or anything else in the PDC/fuse box. I connected the winch cables direct to the battery, the same I had done in my 2020 Gladiator before it.
What is a "MGU"?
 

Mitoni

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2022
Threads
5
Messages
188
Reaction score
174
Location
Florida
Vehicle(s)
2020 JT Rubicon - Crystal Granite
Occupation
Senior Full-Stack Software Developer
What is a "MGU"?
It's the Motor Generator Unit that replaced the alternator on the eTorque engines, and charges the 48v Lithium Ion battery pack that is used to both restart the engine for the ESS, and feed the 12v electrical system.
 

Dyolfknip74

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2021
Threads
37
Messages
5,236
Reaction score
9,063
Location
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
Vehicle(s)
2021 JLU Rubicon
It's the Motor Generator Unit that replaced the alternator on the eTorque engines, and charges the 48v Lithium Ion battery pack that is used to both restart the engine for the ESS, and feed the 12v electrical system.
That's a hell of a reach by them. The laws of physics don't apply in....... *checks profile* ......oh, nevermind. ;)
 
OP
OP
JustDave

JustDave

Well-Known Member
First Name
Dave
Joined
Apr 8, 2021
Threads
12
Messages
413
Reaction score
521
Location
Kersey
Vehicle(s)
2021 Jeep Wrangler
Consider yourself lucky. I'm going through hell with my 2023 JL right now for connecting my winch. I connected it right to the battery terminals, and everything worked fine. The following week, I was getting some really strange errors (service shifter, no power steering, not shifting out of first gear), so I got it towed in to the dealer.

Now, keep in mind, this vehicle was 6 days post-purchase and had 151 miles on it. The dealer diagnoses it and finds the MGU has failed. They claim it is caused by a bad connection between the PDC and the MGU, and that the captive nut on the cable connecting the PDC to the MGU was broken loose from the cable. Because I had installed my winch, they immediately called it customer induced damage, restricted my warranty, and it's still at the dealership now, because I am not paying for a repair that they want over $6k for on a vehicle with 151 miles on, especially when the problem was not caused by anything I did. I have a warranty arbitration hearing scheduled for January. I never touched the connection they are referring to, or anything else in the PDC/fuse box. I connected the winch cables direct to the battery, the same I had done in my 2020 Gladiator before it.
Holy shit. That's how they installed my winch. Right to the battery. Good luck & I guess I'll quit whining.
 

Sponsored

Mitoni

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2022
Threads
5
Messages
188
Reaction score
174
Location
Florida
Vehicle(s)
2020 JT Rubicon - Crystal Granite
Occupation
Senior Full-Stack Software Developer
Holy shit. That's how they installed my winch. Right to the battery. Good luck & I guess I'll quit whining.
My hope is that the arbitrator understands that fact as well, and considering that FCA has zero evidence that this didn't leave the factory like this since the PDI doesn't involve checking this type of thing, I'm hoping it will go my way, but being without the brand new vehicle I just bought b for two months, only 6 days after I brought it home 4 months after I ordered it, still stings quite a bit.
 

Mitoni

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2022
Threads
5
Messages
188
Reaction score
174
Location
Florida
Vehicle(s)
2020 JT Rubicon - Crystal Granite
Occupation
Senior Full-Stack Software Developer
That's a hell of a reach by them. The laws of physics don't apply in....... *checks profile* ......oh, nevermind. ;)
Yup, living in wondering here, and FCA is the red queen it seems.
 

Mitoni

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 31, 2022
Threads
5
Messages
188
Reaction score
174
Location
Florida
Vehicle(s)
2020 JT Rubicon - Crystal Granite
Occupation
Senior Full-Stack Software Developer
I know what all those words are seperately but when you put them together, I don't.
It was late, my phone was autocorrecting, and I meant "Wonderland".
 
 







Top