Jeep and its warning lights make you concerned about your driving skills. To assure you, it is not always about how you drive; sometimes, it is only about the electronic system and its complexities. So, don’t fall prey to the number of exclamation marks your dashboard displays; be confident about how you drive.
This time the blog is about the Jeep ESS warning light. It will be a complete guide about what it means and how it works.
So, let’s dive in to find out.
Also, Read: Can Soft Top Jeeps Go Through Car Washes?
Contents
What is ESS?
The Electronic start/stop warning light with an exclamation point indicates that your ESS system is in action. The ESS system turns off the engine when the brake pedal is continuously pressed, and the Jeep comes to a sitting position. For instance, this system comes into action in a traffic jam, in front of a signal, or while you are in a queue.
The ESS system was designed decades ago for multiple purposes but now it has been vastly used in automotive industries for a sustainable environment.
Key benefits
ESS light is being used in the automotive industry for primarily two factors: cutting carbon emissions and improving fuel economy.
If you are not a newbie to driving, you must know how fuel prices are skyrocketing daily. By stopping the engine every time in front of the signal, this feature saves you half a gallon of fuel, which is a big deal for regular drivers. Eventually, stopping the engine reduces fuel emissions too. Thus, relieving carbon footprints.
Another secondary advantage of ESS technology is that it provides a uniform and smoother ride to drivers and passengers due to even cutting off the engine without any jerking.
We, the millennials, are continuously finding ways to save nature and protect our climate from further worsening; this technology is proven to be one of them.
Concerns about ESS
Like every other system, ESS has its downsides too. If reading the concept behind ESS makes you think that continuous powering on and off the engine causes it to wear, then yes, it does. Every mechanical thing, when forced to start or stop, continuously shows wear and tear on a long-time basis, and so does the Jeep engine.
Secondly, many Jeep Wrangler drivers had shared their concerns that the engine fails to start immediately when stopped and switched on continuously, making a driver irritable.
For sure, this system was designed and used by automotive engineers for the improvement of the environment. Still, its grey sides create a hassle for the drivers, especially newbies. I have suggested some hacks to disable the ESS function.
Find out these solutions and the causes behind the Jeep start/stop warning light in the next section.
Jeep ESS warning light on-Causes
If the ESS warning light is intermittently popping up on your dashboard, these might be the causes.
1. Battery issues
A faulty battery may lead to several issues like triggering warning lights, incapability of igniting the engine, and many others. One of the main residing battery problems is a low-voltage or old battery. If the battery grows two years older or more than that, generally, it starts flashing up warning lights or results in ignition issues. Secondly, such problems appear if the battery terminals are loose or corroded.
HOW TO FIX
Inspect for any corrosion on the battery terminals or check the battery voltage with the help of a voltmeter. Compare it with the standard values; if it lies anywhere behind, consider recharging or replacing the battery.
2. Faulty battery sensor
The intelligent battery sensor (IBS) is a sensor that continuously monitors the voltage of your battery, and if it goes down from the set value, the sensor starts beeping or flashing warning messages.
HOW TO FIX
Inspect the sensor and its wiring. If there is any issue with the wiring or sensor, replace it or take action accordingly.
3. ECU error
ECU is the brain of a Jeep sensor, and it is responsible for numerous functions like controlling ABS, EBD, system ignition, and others. Suppose there is any issue with the ECU that cannot diagnose the current problems adequately. In that case, it may lead to the popping up of these warnings.
HOW TO FIX
To conclude that ECU is faulty, you must first eliminate all the other causes. If the issue persists, consider resetting the ECU software or upgrading the system firmware.
4. Frayed wires
One of the causes behind the continuous flashing of the ESS light might be the issues with the connected wires. You can physically check the cables and inspect any damage, frayed wire, loose connection, or corrosion at the terminal.
To diagnose the current transmission issue, you can use a multimeter by setting it to the ohms mode and comparing the reading with the standard value.
HOW TO FIX
If the connections are loose, tighten them and replace them if the wires are damaged. After repairing, compare the reading again with the help of a multimeter or ammeter.
Quick DIY solution to disable Jeep ESS warning light
Suppose you are frustrated with the repeated start and stop of the engine and want to make your ride more carefree and enjoyable. You can use the ‘A off’ switch on your dashboard to disable the ESS function. However, this method is not a permanent solution, so you have to turn this switch off every time you start the ignition.
Also Read: How to Put a Jeep in 4-Wheel Drive?
Wrap up
Electronic start/stop is a feature developed to improve fuel economy and reduce environmental carbon footprints. Unfortunately, this feature has some annoying downsides but ultimately saves on fuel in the long run. Therefore, it is recommended not to switch off this feature permanently; however, if you have some urgent commitment to meet and the ESS feature is causing you a delay, then you should temporarily disable it.
Hopefully, this blog helped you provide all the information regarding ESS. Till next time have a safe drive.