Jeep Starting Problem? Battery Drain? ESS (Electronic Start Stop) System / Auxiliary Battery

Is the alternator in your Jeep putting out good current but your battery keeps dying? Does your Wrangler have two batteries? Don’t see another battery in the engine compartment? Well this 2018 Wrangler has two batteries and unless both are in good condition, the bad auxiliary battery will pull current and drain from the good primary battery.
Unfortunately, Jeep tucked away and hid the secondary auxiliary battery.
If you have an electronic start stop Wrangler, also known as an ESS system, the secondary battery is hidden under the fuse box that’s connected in parallel with your primary battery. This auxiliary battery provides electrical current for your car when the engine shuts off at a stop light to save gas.
If this secondary mini battery no longer holds a charge, it will quickly draw current from the primary battery and cause it to drain down and die.
The only solution is to replace this mini battery and this video will show you how I did it.
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Parts & Tools:
ACDelco Gold AUX14-200 36 Month Warranty Auxiliary AGM 200 CCA Battery
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Milwaukee 2456-21 M12 Cordless 1/4" Lithium-Ion Ratchet Kit
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#jeep

[@Darkskies1911EMP40]

Most people don’t realize this can be done without removing the fuse box, without disconnecting any cables or the main battery. All you need to do is remove 2 push pins in the lower left hand corner of the inner fender well liner, pull (fold) it back and there it is, three bolts drop it down disconnect cables, replace battery, reassemble, release fender liner put the 2 pins back, Done.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks for sharing! Brilliant engineering and intuitively obvious repair solution? (Like lifting a engine off its mounts to change spark plugs)

[@LittlefootAdventures]

Depending on the tire size and inner liners that could be the hard way. I also don't like the wire holding the battery either. I prefer going though the top.

[@hardlymovingpro]

@@LittlefootAdventures Good advice! Thanks for sharing!

[@jwat2396]

Replaced the pos battery and put in a new pos battery. I still have starting problems when the weather gets cold. Is there any way to shut down the battery drain crap?

[@kristophermoland]

​@J Wat did you ever figure it out? Same position as you

[@ryane.7769]

This was very helpful! The aux replacement on this vehicle is so unnecessary. Hardest battery replacement I have ever done.

[@hardlymovingpro]

I hear ya and thanks for sharing!

[@salvadorsepulveda6415]

Amazing what these engineers can stuff in a small place. Thank you for this informative video. Blessings 🙏

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks for watching!

[@mcmurphysworld]

That's what she said.

[@colebycook4046]

pop the wheel liner out save yourself an hour

[@georgesebastian6306]

My 2020 JLU has been at the dealer for over two weeks this time and they are still stumped. Problem on this Wrangler presents as ESS not ready "battery charging" In the last year the dealer charged, then replaced the Aux battery. Later replaced the IBS module. Works for a few days then quits. I am convinced that the IBS module is the key to my problem. The IBS module senses the voltage, current, and temperature of the batteries to control charging. If either of the batteries is not at full charge the ISB trains to low battery conditions and never brings the batteries to full charge. Some jeepers indicate that the IBS must go through 5 to 8 ignition starts with 8 hour off cycles to become trained. I will try to circle back here if I get an answer!

[@hardlymovingpro]

Good to know and thanks for sharing! The aux battery in this video seems to have drained out unusually fast.

[@TexasLady220]

I’m having this issue with my 2020 JLU. Did you ever get the issue resolved?

[@Joserocha-wm9de]

I hate every single vehicle with this stupid ESS system , for what ? It just wears out the starter faster , double battery replacements and i just wonder how much a Stealership would charge for a job like this ....JEEP , Just Eats Every Penny lol Btw great info sir 👌

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks and I agree!

[@michaelfreeman8290]

Yeah and to get it replaced covered under warranty I have to wait a month for a appointment or drop it off and they can get to it when they get to it no time frame no loaner.

[@jarretmcclay9411]

So up here in ol' Canada i took my 2019 Jeep JL to the dealership for a dead stop/start battery. They determined it needed to be replaced before running any further tests on the system. Once replaced they ran more tests and determined that my alternator was no good. My primary battery was tested and was fine. After all was said and done total cost with labour, $1500. I believe everything should have been under warranty however they said it was my aftermarket stereo system (amp,sub,receiver) that caused the issue.

[@MrJahsoul1]

Jeep dealer wants $400 to replace Aux battery.

[@MrC.M.B.]

Yea I hate jeeps and will never buy one again

[@derekohio9871]

There are several opnions on this. I disconnected the wiring harness under my hood on the switch. There are 2 switches on the right when you pop the hood. The one on the right is the ESS. You can disconnect the wiring harness. It disables and by passes the ESS, supposedly.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@hardlymovingpro]

@@egman5225 yes

[@derekohio9871]

@hardlymovingpro the "A" light will be on. I put electrical tape over it so don't have to look at it.

[@briandiehl2846]

The ESS on these Wranglers are crap. So it the dual battery set up. I just changed my aux bat and one week later. Same issue. I replaced the main bat last year. Three yrs old actin like it was submerged in water! 😢

[@hardlymovingpro]

I really don't understand the need for a dual battery setup in the first place.

[@briandiehl2846]

Me either. Its a 1.5 battery set up. ( stupid )

[@benduen1429]

Does yours show all sorts of warning lights and ac stops working, thud in transmission then loss of power when driving?

[@briandiehl2846]

@@benduen1429 nope. Mine runs good except the auto start stop dont work. Never got into why. But mYbe brake related or just Bout anything tho!

[@kamalabbady6778]

Thanks boss, I learned alot from your video

[@hardlymovingpro]

My pleasure!

[@carlabbott9610]

Instead of replacing the small battery, eliminate it and not have future problems! There's videos on how to do that! 🤔

[@jayhernandez6812]

Yes like this kzbin.info/www/bejne/i5Clq3RjeK-ehMk Or like this kzbin.info/www/bejne/hou7hIKnqLufoLM or like this kzbin.info/www/bejne/rpLJmWSumJWVZtU

[@taurusthebull76]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHzXaImopsdsZ68

[@kazochrymowicz3076]

I have installed Genesis dual battery kit. Both batteries are now on same level like main one.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Whatever works!

[@catierobin346]

We are having a similar problem. My husband has replaced both batteries and the jeep still won't start. Nothing will work. No internal light no radio or dash lights. The doors won't even lock. What could it be?

[@hardlymovingpro]

You may have to hook up your car to a high end scan tool to perform an entire system test.

[@taurusthebull76]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/n5eWdmlpiJJpetE

[@taurusthebull76]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHzXaImopsdsZ68

[@ronaldoquintos1675]

Check for a fusible link that’s blown

[@kevinowens7909]

My 2020 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, 2 door, 2L turbo, has 21k miles on it, has never been off road and has had all of the following problems: Replacement of metal gasket that failed leaving me stranded with no coolant. Pinched wires causing the internal lights to malfunction. Check engine light due to a CO2 sensor failing. Recall on the steering wheel gear box replaced. Recall for possible leaking gas lines. Auto start stop failure caused a replacement with many visits to the shop: Auxiliary battery. Main computer. Electronics module. Alternator. Many miles added to the Jeep during test drives by the certified Jeep dealer. To solve the problem they just replaced the Main battery and gave it back to me. ... Something is still drawing on the battery and it is just a matter of time until it fails again.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks for sharing! Time to trade her in?

[@crabtdd]

Have similar issue. Did you ever find a fix?

[@taurusthebull76]

Delete the aux battery from the Jeep entirely. I will be doing that.

[@taurusthebull76]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/jHzXaImopsdsZ68

[@derekohio9871]

Disconnect the wiring harness on switch under hood. And there is a small wiring harness that runs to battery.

[@Alias11-]

Great video

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks!

[@salehalmoosa6730]

Thank you so much boss

[@hardlymovingpro]

Most welcome!

[@garretlewis4103]

How about deleting that auxiliary battery. I have heard Jeep owners do this.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Haven't tried it.

[@jeffriley2502]

2018 and been a nightmare. Replaced multiple times. This system sucks.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@Thecarfreak100]

also replace your main battery

[@user-vr5rk9cd6s]

Hi, thank you for your video, jeep wrangler ground battery change. may I ask question? can I change 21-year-old rubicon in the same way?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Believe so.

[@user-vr5rk9cd6s]

@@hardlymovingpro Thank you so much!

[@kevindonoghue8707]

2020 Wrangler and has been to dealer 100 times for the battery drain. They still cant figure it out because its somewhat inconsistent and they cant duplicate the problem. I will always catch the the dashboard and shifter box turning on and off every minute all night long and the car is dead in the morning. Problem is that I have t charge it to get to dealer and it may not be a problem for a couple days then overnight or weekend it dies on them, but they cant catch it in the act. They claim both batteries are good. I just cant trust the car on any far away trips or for important reliability trips like getting to the airport at 67:00am because I have no idea if it will be dead when I wake up in the morning.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Are both batteries AGM?

[@gravis00]

Do you leave your key in the car? Like it’s in the garage so safe to do so? If so take it out May help.

[@jamescannon6784]

I’m having the same issue

[@danielreeves4799]

What if you permanently disabled the start stop. Could you get rid of the small battery and just plug thos leads to the big battery?

[@hardlymovingpro]

I don't believe the smaller battery operates the start/stop. The batteries are hooked up in parallel which boost total amperage.

[@rodneyavery3537]

I would've bypassed that POS! When mine acts up if it's out of warranty I will eliminate mine. My Toyota has the stupid ESS and only have one battery.

[@hardlymovingpro]

I hear ya!

[@raysesma6944]

This does not fix the problem. It jeeps draining every battery you put in there. Theres a parasitic draw coming from somewhere. Im still working on mine. I cant figure it out.

[@hardlymovingpro]

The parasitic drag was verified to be coming from the aux battery by showing 9v of current and would not hold a battery recharge.

[@raysesma6944]

@@hardlymovingpro thank you captain obvious.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Ok. I understand your dilemma. Something else drawing current.

[@juyoleyva9330]

Did you find your problem brother ?

[@raysesma6944]

@@juyoleyva9330 I just ended up replacing both batteries. I think if you have to replace one, just replace them both. So far so good.

[@karinlb416]

I replaced my battery... still getting the error message and jeep wont start if you just leave it with the lights/radio on. Also you can replace the aux battery by going up under the wheel well. very easy.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Could be a weak starter motor.

[@Cesaralexis2621]

open circuit in main fuse #3 will also cause this start/stop symptom as that fuse is how the alternator charges the auxiliary battery. I replaced the entire strip/link and solved this issue.

[@anethers7545]

I have a 2.0L turbo with ESS, keep getting Aux Batt not charging, went in through the wheel well to replace it - there’s no Aux battery 🤔 seems some don’t have one

[@hardlymovingpro]

Must be somewhere else if getting that error message.

[@benduen1429]

when you get aux batt not charging, does your jeep also have loss of power and tells you to put in P and D again?

[@anethers7545]

@@benduen1429 no

[@anethers7545]

@@hardlymovingpro No, it doesn’t have one, I changed the main battery to solve it

[@onebridge7231]

One of the worse designs ever. When my Gladiator Aux Battery died, I decided to upgrade to Genesis G3 Dual Battery kit and ripped all that junk out.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Makes you wonder what the auto engineers were thinking.

[@adalbertohernandez2007]

In my case, my car doesn’t have auxiliary battery and I replace the main battery . Turn it on random,

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@lyltlylt]

2020 gladiator 14k miles had both replaced stop start failed to work ac/heat cluster issues only cost me$$$1100 at the dealer my bad

[@hardlymovingpro]

In feel your pain!

[@PeteYova]

Would a 2020 jeep cherokee trailhawk have this smaller battery. My battery keeps draining in winter months.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Sorry. Wouldn't know. If a single battery setup with slow starting in Winter, consider getting a AGM battery.

[@user-ls6og4ej6s]

When I added an accessory battery to 2021 jeep gladiator auto start stop not working, what happened.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Difficult to say.

[@uclajd]

Great moments in stupid government regulations.

[@hardlymovingpro]

It is what it is!

[@carlosvelez8875]

10x easer if you go threw the inner fender

[@hardlymovingpro]

Some had said that assuming the terminal connectors are easy to get too and disconnect.

[@luisamoa2500]

Doesn't this model Jeep have a disable button inside the cabin for the start stop?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Yes but you have to press it every time you start the car.

[@rickster2929]

@@hardlymovingpro go with a Tazer you'll never touch the Start stop button again 😉

[@farklestaxbaum4945]

I disable the start/stop almost every time I get in my jeep (over 95% of the time) and still had my small battery die within 2 years.

[@mikaboo2521]

@@farklestaxbaum4945 same here. I regret purchasing my Jeep 😞

[@farklestaxbaum4945]

@@mikaboo2521 I dont regret it. we probably just got bad batteries, as I know other people who have had them last 4+ years. when your warranty runs out, get the Z-auto Tazer to disable auto start/stop and disconnect the auxiliary battery.

[@MrC.M.B.]

I will never buy a jeep again. When I had it the battery would just drain on a hot day out of nowhere. Went through 4 batteries in a year once.

[@hardlymovingpro]

I hear ya!

[@lgee479]

My 2010 jeep wrangler sport unlimited keep draining battery just put new battery and alternator, does this one come with auxiliary battery?pls let me know thank you

[@hardlymovingpro]

Can't say on the 2010

[@lgee479]

@@hardlymovingpro thank you

[@elegantcustompaintinginc7389]

I did the exact thing but after replacing both batteries now I got a bunch or codes popping up on my screen such as the batterie, check engine light and it says stop safety vehicle will shot off soon Now I don't know what to do and after few minutes with the engine on the jeep started shaking and it died on me so I'm so frustrated and not sure what to do, I got a 2020 Jeep gladiator, does anyone knows how to fix this isue?

[@hardlymovingpro]

Check electrical connectors in the fuse box and make sure the numbers are in the right order.

[@katherinegil1953]

Hello, my Jeep is doing this after changing the battery. Should I try changing the small one too? Did you ever figured out the problem?

[@elegantcustompaintinginc7389]

@@katherinegil1953 I ended up taking my jeep to the dealership, they solved the issue and it was the main battery and one of the fuses was burned out so they replaced it and now after 1 week it's running fine, I would highly recommend you to have the habit of turning the auto stop off on your jeep every time you drive it because that was the main reason that caused all this issues, If you have further questions please feel free to reach out to me, and I hope you get yours fixed soon 🤞

[@katherinegil1953]

@@elegantcustompaintinginc7389 I usually do turn it off… Iv had the Jeep for 3 years. I really hope changing the small battery this evening solves the problem! If not I’ll take it to the dealership! Thank you!

[@elegantcustompaintinginc7389]

@@katherinegil1953 If you do replace the small battery ( auxiliary battery ) make sure you take it out from the bottom, it will save you at least 1 hour, the battery it's located underneath the fuse box and is much easier to replaced, I had to take mine off twice and it saved me an hour of labor so you don't have to go through all the hardwork of taking apart the fuse box because it's buried way underneath.

[@nickamodei]

Just bypass the aux battery and never deal with it again.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Good advice!

[@FM-ig3th]

eTorque..no aux battery , no problem

[@hardlymovingpro]

Good for you!

[@Mechpg]

It brings me pain to see people get to the AUX this way

[@hardlymovingpro]

Heard you can get too it via the wheel well.

[@onebridge7231]

@@hardlymovingproThe wheel well is much easier.

[@JavierPerez-yk4cx]

Not true not every Jeep Wrangler JL has a auxiliary battery. Only some do wrong information.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@sergioanaya771]

Do 2.0 have one. For some reason mine didn’t have one.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Sorry. Don't know.

[@ashebarley77385]

well this has happened to me. changed out both batteries and only been 3 months and damn light is back on. I don't know what to do. such BS. what a poor poor concept !!!!!!!!!! thinking of going with a genesis system. idk any ideas.

[@hardlymovingpro]

Replaced with AGM batteries?

[@ashebarley77385]

@@hardlymovingpro I did this too 3 mons ago. i cant keep affording this, U change BOTH batteries Both of them

[@kingg1466]

Who in their right mind put a secondary battery there??? Jeep engineers I have a problem 2015 jeep wrangler unlimited Battery drain First battery lasted 3 years 2nd 3 weeks 3rd 2 weeks 4rd 3 months

[@hardlymovingpro]

If one of the two batteries is bad, the bad one will quickly pull current from the good one and drain it down.

[@georgehasson6767]

Why didn't you go under front wheel

[@hardlymovingpro]

I was told there's another path to the battery after I did the video.

[@jimmyfishburn7894]

Just went through this and I'm not happy. $416.14 all for this junk?

[@hardlymovingpro]

I hear ya!

[@justino8935]

I freaking hate Jeep for this

[@hardlymovingpro]

I feel ya!

[@Lunentucker]

You can bypass the AUX battery and disable ESS. It's a good way to get around the issue or even prevent it from occurring to begin with. Here's me doing my Gladiator yesterday. kzbin.inforlxiJkNz8m0

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks for sharing!

[@billd3692]

What a horrible design, don't buy a jeep.........

[@Usmanthemecano]

That's an extreme reaction

[@hardlymovingpro]

The aux battery is connected in parallel with the primary so I'm confused as to the logic. Unless Jeep wanted more amp output by combining the two.

[@TKO-wu2uw]

This is the most idiotic design that anyone can come up with!!!! I have a JLU that if left alone without starting for 2 or 3 months (not my primary car...), the starting battery dies. If they had to put the battery under a ton of &%#@ hardware why not give us a master disconnect (like my boat has) ? I should have purchased a Bronco but they had not come out when I bought the Rubicon......

[@hardlymovingpro]

I hear ya!

[@michaelyang3851]

Best solution is to not buy a Jeep made by Fiat.

[@hardlymovingpro]

You may have a point!

[@CaptMac-zw8mz]

This ESS thing sucks!

[@hardlymovingpro]

I hear ya!

[@fullsend_ny7948]

The dumbest way to change this. Please don’t do this anyone

[@hardlymovingpro]

We'd appreciate a video showing us the right way!

[@MuddyRuttzz]

Lots easier on the Ecodiesel. @muddyruttzz

[@hardlymovingpro]

Thanks for sharing!