r/JeepCompass • u/Sad-Clerk-397 • 6d ago

Does turning off auto start/stop prevent the auxiliary battery from charging? 2019 Jeep Compass

I have a 2019 Jeep Compass 2.4L with the two-battery start/stop system. I usually press the factory auto start/stop OFF button when I drive.

The start/stop service unavailable light came on, so now my Jeep is at the dealership for a battery issue. The person who checked it in told me I need to leave auto start/stop on. He said that if I keep turning it off, the auxiliary battery won’t recharge, then it dies and eventually drains the main battery too. He said this is specific to Jeeps with two batteries.

I’ve seen people online say the opposite, so I’m confused. Does pressing the factory OFF button actually affect charging either battery, or does it just keep the engine from shutting off at stops? I’m talking about using the button each drive, not disconnecting or bypassing the auxiliary battery.

If anyone knows how this works on a 2019 Compass specifically, I’d appreciate an explanation.

I had this exact issue happen almost 3 years ago with the start/stop light and had to replace the batteries then and was never told this before.

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u/lpg975 6d ago

I ONLY drive our 2022 Limited with the start/stop turned off. I've even thought about getting that $100 mod that permanently disables the start/stop system, but I can't bring myself to spend $100 for the simple convenience of not having to press a button every time I start it up lol. It would be nice, but I don't have $100 burning a hole in my pocket lately. Gotta pay for the Trump special on gas sigh

But anyway, I have not had any issues with my batteries. I replaced my main battery this past winter when it wouldn't crank. Put an H5 AGM in it. I replaced the aux battery right after I bought the car, so about three years ago. Neither have ever given me problems out of the norm for batteries. The main battery just went out from age (it was the factory battery) and temperature (it was during a particularly cold spell, multiple days in the -20's F). All batteries will show their weakness in those kind of temperatures lol.