[Gusty]

We had it in for service a couple of months ago because the steering wheel wasn't heating. I noticed a couple of weeks after we got it back that the stop/start wasn't working. Didn't think much of it at first because I usually shut it off, anyway, and because it's been really cold, but as the weather warmed it still wasn't working. No error messages on the dash. Scrolling through to the Stop/Start screen says "Stop/Start not ready, battery charging."
We took it in to the dealership to have it looked at and the service man told my husband that it was probably just a battery thing (didn't test it) and said the battery isn't covered by the warranty, so there was no point in looking at it. He said we could be looking at hundreds of dollars in diagnostic fees.
I took it to a battery place, where they pulled the auxillary battery and said it was fine. Just in case, we got a new one, but we're still getting the same message.
Is there anything else I can check that might be creating this issue? Only 1200 miles left on the warranty.
Thanks for any help.

 

[Shadow5501]

It’s likely caused by your main battery aging and losing capacity. The ESS system requires a very high level of battery health before it will enable stop/start. That doesn’t mean you need to replace the main battery, it can go on for quite some time. I have a 2018 model. Replaced the main battery in May of 2022. For the year prior to that the start/stop always displayed “battery charging.” The car always started, even after not being used for weeks. I replaced the main battery when it started displaying “Battery Protection Mode” messages - an indIcation the main battery is becoming very weak.

There is a PCM software update that lowers the battery health threshold to enable start/stop more frequently. It was applicable to my 2018. I think I had it updated in 2021, so am guessing it would also be applicable to your car. That said I have been searching for a TSB number and can’t seem to find it.

 

[cbrenthus]

I removed the AUX battery from both my Wrangler and Pacifica, and my Wrangler ESS stopped working for the same reason after less than a year of ownership. I loved it because it saved me over $100 from not having to install an ESS eliminator Anyway, that battery on the Wrangler lasted almost 4 years with that error, and ESS did work occasionally after a long drive in warm weather. Then, back in November, it wouldn't start on a cold morning.

The point is that you can run a long time with that error.

 

[ggraziano]

I'm surprised I'm first on this thread to suggest this, and I completely understand if you reject the suggestion: disconnect the negative terminal on the auxiliary battery, wrap some tape over the cable end, and live with a minor illuminated icon on you dash and no more ESS to worry about. If I understand correctly, you are out of warranty in 1200 miles, so you aren't obligated to keep that system functioning for warranty reasons. This solution accomplishes: no more trips to the shop to deal with this, and maybe your main battery lasts for 4 years or so as intended. Seems like win-win to me....

 

[Gusty]

Thank you for the suggestions. I'm not wanting to fix it so we can use it, because I usually shut up it off, anyway. But when we go to sell it or trade it in, I think it would be best if it's all working as it should be.
I'm more concerned about getting it figured out before it's out of warranty and making sure there isn't an easy fix that we aren't aware of. The dealership wasn't extremely helpful and I don't want to pay $300 in diagnostic fees just to find out that we could've checked a certain cable or checked the plug under the passenger seat, as was the case with the steering wheel not heating up. That cost us $140.

 

[CampinMike]

Do you take any long trips? A good long trip may just get it working again. Ours will do that in cold weather for quite awhile if we only use the car for short trips or if sits for a few days. Nothing is wrong.

 

[Gusty]

I drive almost daily around a large town, as well as a 100 mile round trip trek once or twice a week. We've also had at least one 200+ mile trip in 50 degree weather in the past month.

 

[CampinMike]

Probably the main battery since you already replaced the aux one. It should charge enough on a 100 mile round trip.

 

[cbrenthus]

I'm surprised I'm first on this thread to suggest this, and I completely understand if you reject the suggestion: disconnect the negative terminal on the auxiliary battery, wrap some tape over the cable end, and live with a minor illuminated icon on you dash and no more ESS to worry about. If I understand correctly, you are out of warranty in 1200 miles, so you aren't obligated to keep that system functioning for warranty reasons. This solution accomplishes: no more trips to the shop to deal with this, and maybe your main battery lasts for 4 years or so as intended. Seems like win-win to me....

No need to deal with an illuminated icon on the dash

How to: Disconnect AUX battery and run just off the main...

EDIT: I want to be clear that this does not disable ESS. Simply disconnecting the AUX battery will disable ESS, but that will throw an error. Doing the following has no affect on ESS, it will continue to work as normal, just off the main battery :). If you want to disable ESS, that is a...

www.pacificaforums.com

 

[CANADAHYBRIDGUY]

Beside the battery the powertrain management program has criteria it must meet for the “ESS” to be enabled . Good luck

 

[Davidvuk]

What was Heated steering wheel diagnosis?

 

[Packard]

If you go to the start/stop screen you will see something like: start/stop not available waiting for battery charge”

If the battery is old, it may not be able to achieve an adequate charge. If the screen does not mention the battery condition, then it might be something else.

I brought mine to the dealer and he said both batteries had to be replaced and the auxiliary battery had to be programmed. He charged me $550.00 for the two batteries.

If it happens again, I will shop for the batteries. $550.00 is too much money.

 

[Tedseed10]

Ours did same thing, we've replaced auxiliary 3 times and now on the 3rd regular battery, Chrysler batteries suck, conveniently just make it to end of warranty, dealer told us almost $500 for battery and labor for another crummy 2yr warranty. Do your self a favor and get 1 from Amazon, got a Delco with a 7 yr warranty and 1st 3yrs free replacement for$180. They look hard to replace but there's some great videos on utube. Had ours out and in , in less than 15 mins watching the video while I changed it. Auto stop started working again in about a day. Good luck.