Electrical Gremlins with my 2015 JK Sport

WROZ317

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Joined
May 18, 2022
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7
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West Virginia
Hello everyone. I am new to the forum, although I have owned my 2015 JK Sport since 2016; which has served as my daily driver since purchased. I have been experiencing a strange electrical issue, which I will describe below. I apologize in advance if this has been covered before, but I honestly do not know how to research this particular issue. I also apologize for the lengthy description below.

OK, so for almost a month now, as I am driving my JK, I will randomly hear the warning sound the vehicle makes when there is a problem. When I look at my dash, none of the warning indicators are lit up and nothing displays on the info screen of the tachometer. I believe it was the weekend after my first experience of the mentioned issue, I finally got around to replacing the stock radio in my JK, because the AM/FM tuner stopped working back in late December. Now, I have to be honest here, because I was trying to do the radio project on a budget, I did not purchase the module for connecting the steering wheel controls to the radio or the adapter pigtail for the wire connections. Instead, I consulted the connector diagram found on Mopar Connection Repair Kit (http://connectors.dcctools.com/home.htm), and the wiring in the installation manual of the aftermarket radio, and I spliced my connections for power and the speaker connections, and I also cut a few wires that I did not need for the install (yes, I know that I probably should not have done that). The radio worked just fine, once I ironed out the settings of the radio itself, and everything operated liked it should for about a week or so...until yesterday.

OK, now keep in mind that my JK is about as barebones as a 2015 model can be: manual locks and windows, keyed ignition without remote start, etc. As I was loading up my stuff into my JK so I could leave for work yesterday morning, I noticed that the radio was on, and my keys were still in my pocket. I also noticed that the time on the radio had defaulted to 12:00 AM, and it was around 6:00 AM when I was preparing to leave for work yesterday. I turned the radio off and left for work. As I was driving in to work, I heard the warning sound at two different times, and in both instances, the traction control indicator light flashed on and off, but the traction control itself didn't do anything. Then, on my way home yesterday, I heard the warning sound once, and I did not see anything on my dash. This morning, as I was driving into work, I was on a stretch of road that is posted 45 MPH, which was the speed that I was driving (sorry, I don't drive my Jeep like a stole it). Anyway, while I was on this stretch of road, I heard the warning sound, and when I looked down at my dash, I saw the speedometer needle moving back up to 45 MPH.

I prefer to work on my own vehicles, however, I realize that I will most-likely have to make an appointment with the local dealership for service. Before I do that, I wanted to post this to see if anyone has experienced a similar issue, and if so, what your experience was like.

Thank you for reading my saga and for your input, Kenny
 
My 2014 ruby used to flash a traction control light occasionally and the chime would sound. Never would show a trouble code I checked the battery cable connections and found looking like new .........I took them off and cleaned them anyway and it stopped the problem. I hope that is all you'll need to fix yours.
 
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OK, I have an update for all of you...

The battery connection appeared to be tight, but I disconnected them from the battery anyway. I read somewhere about performing a hard reboot of the system, so I thought I would give it try becuase my instrument cluster did reboot on me when I was driving to work the other day. I did the hard reboot over night last night, and following Barry's suggestion of cleaning the connections before I reconnected the battery. The radio turned on by itself again, but at the moment, I was not concerned about that as much as whether it helped or made my situation worse. I took my Jeep out for a little drive, and about an hour later, I heard that audible ring indicating that there was a problem...and this time, wow! The windshield wipers began to operate, and the switch was in the off position. The instrument cluster lit up like a Christmas tree (I apologize if I offended anyone's religious beliefs), and lost the speedo and fuel gauge. About this point in time, I was approximately 40 miles from home. I pulled off at the very next exit and pulled into a diner. I turned off my Jeep, after snapping a pic of the dash with my phone, and went inside the diner to grab lunch. After eating my lunch, I got back in the Jeep, and immediately, the audible ring, the lighting of the dash, and the inactive speedo and fuel gauge returned before I even pulled out of the parking spot. The wipers also were operating again, with the switch in the off position. I also forgot to mention that I lost my turn signals and 4-way hazard lights as well. I had to drive with hand signals...and I don't mean the middle digit; although, I probably received a few.

I don't want to jump to conclusions, but I have read about similar issues, and the blam was placed on the Totally Integrated Power Module (TIPM). I know that these are pricey to replace, and I don't want to throw money at something like that without knowing for sure that is the issue, and I am sure that most of you would agree to that. I am only aware of the ground strap on the motor and inside the front passenger foot well in my JK. Can someone please tell me where I may find the other grounds on my JK? I've tried researching that information, and I have not had much luck.

Thank you for all of your help so far, and for what is to follow.

Oh, and here's the pic I took after I pulled into the parking lot of diner:

IMG_20220520_125426965.jpg
 
I also forgot to mention that when I got home, I notice that my exterior lights were on, and I did not have the switch turned on for them either.
 
The battery to the engine ground is the main cable then there should be usually engine to the body. One of the first things I did when I got my Jeep was to run a cable from battery ground to the alternator case.

Inside the Jeep at the foot wells there are ground studs in the sides of them, usually 3-4 ground wires attached to them. It could be real easy for a foot to kick a wire and break it off the terminal.
 
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Hi all, Happy Memorial Day weekend, and for those of you who are or have served, thank you.

I wanted to give you an update on my electrical issues with my 2015 JK Wrangler. As it turned it, it was not a ground or battery cable issue...I was the reason for the electrical issues. As I mentioned in my original post, I had cut off the OE connector for the factory radio and spliced the wire connections. In doing so, I cut off the cables that were not used. During the process, I had cut off the Can Bus wires for the radio, which created a short in the Can Bus system. Oops, or as the younger generation phrases it, my bad.

To resolve this issue, and I believe that I have, I replaced the OE radio connector I had cut off with one made by Metra, part number 71-6522. I then installed the harness, made by Axxess Interfaces (a.k.a. Metra), part number AVXI-6522. I also attempted to install the Steering Wheel Controls module, also made by Axxess Interfaces, part number AXSWC; however, that part did not work. I will attempt that at another point in time. I also made this attempt easier by using Posi-Locks by Posi-Products for my wiring splicing. Yes, they are a bit pricey, but it beats trying to get wire crimps into tight spaces.

Anyway, after I installed those two parts, and put everything back together, I started up my Jeep. No more warning sounds and dash was no longer lit up. Also, the wipers were not functioning on their own, and I regained my fuel gauge, speedometer, turn signals and hazard lights. I took the Jeep out for a drive, about 1.5 hours, and had absolutely no issues with it.

So, lesson learned: When it comes to working on a late model vehicle, you have to play by the rules. Ol'skool approaches will turn around and bite you where the sun doesn't shine.

Thank you all again for your input on this issue.
 
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Pretty sad that they have to tie the radio in with the other main functions.

Thanks for the update.
 
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