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Jeep Grand Cherokee L > Battery Discharge Issue

Jeep is back. Rear latch replaced.

The Jeep was delivered to my driveway, I took the key, went back to work at my home office, and left to go to pick up a prescription in the Jeep an two hours later…….

It starts, but service 4WD alert is now lit, touchscreen is very glitchy and requires a reset.

Here we go. Round three I guess

What an absolute turd.
 

Mzwy

Member
Jeep is back. Rear latch replaced.

The Jeep was delivered to my driveway, I took the key, went back to work at my home office, and left to go to pick up a prescription in the Jeep an two hours later…….

It starts, but service 4WD alert is now lit, touchscreen is very glitchy and requires a reset.

Here we go. Round three I guess

What an absolute turd.
I can’t even imagine how frustrating. Mine has been working well the last few days, but I counted and it was in the shop or unusable in my garage for 29 days of the first 6 weeks I had it.
 

BonesGCL

New member
Hello - I'm a new user! Sooo happy to be here......... I've been following this thread since January 2 when we first woke up to a dead battery in our GCL that we've had since early November. I was able to recharge the battery off an electric charger only (efforts to jump it from another vehicle wouldn't work). The car ran fine for the next four days. I brought it to the dealer on Tuesday, January 4th, just to have the battery looked at and also address two outstanding recalls. I mentioned the rear latch module being a potential culprit for the battery (why else would it die if it was so new?), but they said they would have to keep it overnight if I wanted them to research it further than the battery, itself. The advisor told me the recall software updates might solve any potential battery issue as they often address multiple bugs. The battery was otherwise perfect, according to them.

The battery died again in my driveway two days later on January 6th. I charged it again for about 90 mins until I could drive it back to the dealer. I cited this forum again, and the potential rear lift gate module. They gave me a GC loaner and sent me on my way, stating that they probably would not have an answer the same day.

I called them the following day for an update and was told it had died yet again with a brand new battery. At this point, they believe it is.... wait for it.... the rear lift gate module. They have it on order as of 1/7, but it is backordered, and they have no idea when it will be available. I was told it could be up to a month, possibly. I promptly sent the service advisor an email with a link to this forum thread. Worth noting that It was initially suggested that they give me the car back with the new battery the same day, but the person who wrote me up decided they would keep it overnight and test it the following morning, which turned out to be a great idea.

For now, we're waiting on them to get back to us with an ETA. Nothing to do except keep making payments.

Other notable glitches and things worth mentioning.....
1) I also have had the Check Rear Seat message on almost every instance of turning the vehicle off that I can remember since we bought it. We, like others, assumed it was a safety message related to kids being left in the car. I mentioned this to the dealer on Friday as well. Again, they don't know what it means but it's being looked into.
2) Probably unrelated, but about 2-3 weeks after we got the car, my wife and I both tried to remote start it from our fobs. She had started it and a few seconds later I did the same, unknowingly. When we got inside the SERV 4WD system light was on the dash. Panic set in but after getting to our next stop, we turned the car off, and when we restarted about 30 minutes later it cleared. It hasn't come on since, and that was about six weeks ago.
3) The service advisor stated that since the vehicle is so new, repairs like this have to be consulted on with Jeep before they can be performed. As such, repairs will take longer since Jeep approves any and all work being done on the vehicle. Seems reasonable, but why would Jeep just tell them to replace a battery that tested fine 48 hours earlier without further investigation? And then give it back to me when I had already been in that same week?
4) The Jeep App. Does anyone use this on their phones? Why didn't it alert us to the battery going down or tell us to schedule service? Seems kind of useless if you go to start your car from your phone, all systems are "ok", the car doesn't start because it's dead, and the app doesn't even notify you....

Anyway, long story short, this is my wife's first NEW vehicle in a very long time, and it is by far the most expensive vehicle we've ever bought. We're two payments into our term and it's fair to say it could be going better. We leased it with the intention to buy at the end, but I'll be hard-pressed to want to drive this anywhere without a bumper-to-bumper warranty to back me up. Holding out hope that they'll find the part quickly and this issue will be put behind us. I'm also trying to be sympathetic to dealerships on the receiving end of supply chain issues and Covid-related absences in their service departments. Hopefully this is over soon and we don't have more problems.
 

Mzwy

Member
Hello - I'm a new user! Sooo happy to be here......... I've been following this thread since January 2 when we first woke up to a dead battery in our GCL that we've had since early November. I was able to recharge the battery off an electric charger only (efforts to jump it from another vehicle wouldn't work). The car ran fine for the next four days. I brought it to the dealer on Tuesday, January 4th, just to have the battery looked at and also address two outstanding recalls. I mentioned the rear latch module being a potential culprit for the battery (why else would it die if it was so new?), but they said they would have to keep it overnight if I wanted them to research it further than the battery, itself. The advisor told me the recall software updates might solve any potential battery issue as they often address multiple bugs. The battery was otherwise perfect, according to them.
The battery died again in my driveway two days later on January 6th. I charged it again for about 90 mins until I could drive it back to the dealer. I cited this forum again, and the potential rear lift gate module. They gave me a GC loaner and sent me on my way, stating that they probably would not have an answer the same day.

I called them the following day for an update and was told it had died yet again with a brand new battery. At this point, they believe it is.... wait for it.... the rear lift gate module. They have it on order as of 1/7, but it is backordered, and they have no idea when it will be available. I was told it could be up to a month, possibly. I promptly sent the service advisor an email with a link to this forum thread. Worth noting that It was initially suggested that they give me the car back with the new battery the same day, but the person who wrote me up decided they would keep it overnight and test it the following morning, which turned out to be a great idea.

For now, we're waiting on them to get back to us with an ETA. Nothing to do except keep making payments.

Other notable glitches and things worth mentioning.....
1) I also have had the Check Rear Seat message on almost every instance of turning the vehicle off that I can remember since we bought it. We, like others, assumed it was a safety message related to kids being left in the car. I mentioned this to the dealer on Friday as well. Again, they don't know what it means but it's being looked into.
2) Probably unrelated, but about 2-3 weeks after we got the car, my wife and I both tried to remote start it from our fobs. She had started it and a few seconds later I did the same, unknowingly. When we got inside the SERV 4WD system light was on the dash. Panic set in but after getting to our next stop, we turned the car off, and when we restarted about 30 minutes later it cleared. It hasn't come on since, and that was about six weeks ago.
3) The service advisor stated that since the vehicle is so new, repairs like this have to be consulted on with Jeep before they can be performed. As such, repairs will take longer since Jeep approves any and all work being done on the vehicle. Seems reasonable, but why would Jeep just tell them to replace a battery that tested fine 48 hours earlier without further investigation? And then give it back to me when I had already been in that same week?
4) The Jeep App. Does anyone use this on their phones? Why didn't it alert us to the battery going down or tell us to schedule service? Seems kind of useless if you go to start your car from your phone, all systems are "ok", the car doesn't start because it's dead, and the app doesn't even notify you....

Anyway, long story short, this is my wife's first NEW vehicle in a very long time, and it is by far the most expensive vehicle we've ever bought. We're two payments into our term and it's fair to say it could be going better. We leased it with the intention to buy at the end, but I'll be hard-pressed to want to drive this anywhere without a bumper-to-bumper warranty to back me up. Holding out hope that they'll find the part quickly and this issue will be put behind us. I'm also trying to be sympathetic to dealerships on the receiving end of supply chain issues and Covid-related absences in their service departments. Hopefully this is over soon and we don't have more problems.
Welcome.
A little hope for anyone with this issue and following this thread:
Got the latch replaced and then new battery (pretty sure a cell went bad after being drained so many times on the old one) about a week ago. I’ve been watching the voltage with a multimeter several times a day. It hasn’t been very long but the resting voltage is holding right where I expect it, between 12.7-12.8 volts, sometimes even a touch higher. There doesn’t seem to be any significant drain overnight. Time will tell, but so far I’m encouraged.

Bones, many on here got the 4 wheel drive message early on and never again. As far as Jeep replacing parts, it’s annoying. They have to run a diagnostic that takes a couple hours and prints results to warranty the battery. If the test passes, no battery for you. I don’t think they even bothered to run the test the first time around for mine. When I called the manager (from my disabled car in a parking lot just a couple days after they initially gave it back to me) he looked up my file and I could hear the frustration in his voice that they changed the latch but not the battery.

Jeep app is kind of cool, but could probably have a few more functions. I did have a remote start fail one time and the alert (the bell icon) came with a laundry list of possible reasons for the failure. One was insufficient battery voltage. The app didn’t single out any one thing, however. I used the location update when it was in the shop because I could tell if it was in the service bay or the parking lot. Seriously.
 
Last edited:

JeepCares

Well-known member
@JeepCares are you listening? These issues (mine and plenty others that I see) are unacceptable.

I can assure you that our team reads all comments and monitors all concerns. If you are currently experiencing an issue you'd like to discuss further, we are in private message.

Kate
Jeep Cares
 
@JeepCares I’ve tried to private message. I don’t have that option. I’ve also posted under your tag, where many others have. If your’e serious, please private message me to initiate the conversation.

The vehicle’s steering failed this AM for the second time after the rack was replaced. Still have Service 4WD , and lane assist alerts.

I have a list a mile long - most insulting is that roadside assistance never showed up.
 

BonesGCL

New member
@Mzwy I appreciate the response. On Tuesday, I was told by my advisor that it would be at least two weeks until the part became available. I assume that means to ship from MOPAR.... Hoping you're correct that this does the trick and we can move on. They put us in a '20 Grand Cherokee rental for the time being. Will keep you all posted on how this plays out.
 

Asif1984

Member
Jeep Grand Cherokee L > Battery Discharge Issue, woke up found battery dead down to 8v dead. It was about maybe after 18 hours none use.
I charged it up took about 12 hours to charge to full which tells me typically good battery. Bad battery's typically charge fast and discharge fast.
Now this was 2 days after I bought it.
I figured maybe I left something on, by mistake. So the past two days we used it one long trip and another short one. Been off for about 14hours and Volt is down to 11v.
Now I am thinking what the heck. We been overly paranoid we left something on before. So now checking each time we get out is the 'off' is showing on Start/Stop Button, all lights off, all doors closed.
We are taking it back to the dealership to have them troubleshoot issue. Kind of sucks its only a week old and killed the battery twice. A few more times and that none deep cell is toast.
We have not modified it, its 100% stock.

I was wondering if there is someone else having this issue. Could it be something we doing, or just random bad alternator, fuse, or wiring issue. Random may mean a bigger factory issue as well.
The Jeep is a fully loaded Grand Cherokee L Summit v6. Only thing its missing is passenger side screen and Rear Seat entertainment.
Brother has your battery issue got resolved?
 

nypsn

New member
I have been following this thread with interest. I have also had issues with my GCL not starting and this morning it will be towed back to the dealer service department for the fourth time since September 2021.
At first it was diagnosed as the rear hatch latch where I waited six weeks for the part to finally arrive at the dealership. The second time they said that the spare key was left inside the car (it wasn't until it was towed over there) and that drained the battery.
On both occasions the battery was replaced.
About a week later it happened again and I was told that the HVAC plenum was operating continuously and that was causing the drain so the controller was replaced.
I got the Grand Cherokee L back the first week in January and all was fine until Saturday morning when it failed to start once again. I am waiting for the tow as I write this.
I will say that the dealer and FCA customer care have been as helpful as they could be under the circumstances.
I hope you all have better luck with the issue than I have.
Good Luck
 

jeepgrady

Well-known member
I have been following this thread with interest. I have also had issues with my GCL not starting and this morning it will be towed back to the dealer service department for the fourth time since September 2021.
At first it was diagnosed as the rear hatch latch where I waited six weeks for the part to finally arrive at the dealership. The second time they said that the spare key was left inside the car (it wasn't until it was towed over there) and that drained the battery.
On both occasions the battery was replaced.
About a week later it happened again and I was told that the HVAC plenum was operating continuously and that was causing the drain so the controller was replaced.
I got the Grand Cherokee L back the first week in January and all was fine until Saturday morning when it failed to start once again. I am waiting for the tow as I write this.
I will say that the dealer and FCA customer care have been as helpful as they could be under the circumstances.
I hope you all have better luck with the issue than I have.
Good Luck
Dis they apply the Amplifier software update? The amp supposedly was not shutting down entirely, thus draining the battery.
 

bpatch85

New member
Like some of the others I too have been following along on this thread with this being my first post on this forum. So thank you for the information to those of you who have come on here to discuss your problems.

I had the battery drain problem starting right before Christmas. Took it in, recalls were taken care of and the car was "updated". Nothing was found as far as a draw on the batteries according to dealer.

Anyways, was told the vehicle was done and ready for me to pick up. So I went to pick up the GCL after hours and once again it was dead. Luckily I had not turned in the rental car yet. So a note was written on the envelope and with keys inside and put in the drop box. Dealership called the following week and stated they hooked up their scan tool and once again found nothing. They charged the battery and checked again overnight. Battery voltage was with in normal range. So I return again to pick it up. This time it works but not for long...

Then on 1-12 I had the GCL towed to the dealership this time as not even a jumpstart would get going. Service dept. calls me and says they were able to located the source of the draw on the batter. It's the lift gate module! Says it needs replaced and the part is on order with arrival in 4-10 days. 10 days later in a minivan, bc apparently the rental has to be a Chrysler product according to Enterprise, the dealer calls and says all is good and I can pick up my GCL.

So, on 1-21 I pick it up and I notice once I'm close to home that the touch screen is flickering and then occasionally goes black and then will turn back on all with no input. Now today in addition to the flickering and blackouts the touch screen will not play any sound other than a random blip of whatever station you're on. This includes CarPlay, satellite, FM/AM Radio and even bluetooth from my phone.

I'm losing faith in this vehicle. We're not even going to take it on our road trip to Florida bc I don't trust it which is frustrating bc that was part of the reason for the GCL to fit the whole family.
 

jugdish

Well-known member
Battery hasn't died again (yet), but i keep checking the resting voltage and its reading 12.2 to 12.25 on a regular basis which is low.... Frustrating.. I just keep charging it every other week at this point....
 

Asif1984

Member
I have been following this thread with interest. I have also had issues with my GCL not starting and this morning it will be towed back to the dealer service department for the fourth time since September 2021.
At first it was diagnosed as the rear hatch latch where I waited six weeks for the part to finally arrive at the dealership. The second time they said that the spare key was left inside the car (it wasn't until it was towed over there) and that drained the battery.
On both occasions the battery was replaced.
About a week later it happened again and I was told that the HVAC plenum was operating continuously and that was causing the drain so the controller was replaced.
I got the Grand Cherokee L back the first week in January and all was fine until Saturday morning when it failed to start once again. I am waiting for the tow as I write this.
I will say that the dealer and FCA customer care have been as helpful as they could be under the circumstances.
I hope you all have better luck with the issue than I have.
Good Luck
Hey bro has your car been fixed ?
 

jugdish

Well-known member
So... Bought an OBD reader and, big shock, Error code B9145-13 shows up: Status CONFRIMED - Power lift gate pinch sensor 2 Circuit Open .... WTH. Have an appointment in 2 weeks to get this crap figured out.
 

jugdish

Well-known member
Got a call from the dealer this morning..... Jeep has created a service bulletin for the rear latch issue. Parts are scarce, but have an appointment to get the rear latch sensor fixed.
 
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