[Kierstee]

Happy Saturday!

Just bought our first Jeep last month!
(2017 Jeep Renegade Latitude 4x4)
Lifetime power train and bumper to bumper warranty (thankfully) as the service engine and service transmission lights randomly illuminate after driving on the highway for extended periods of time.

We replaced the spark plugs and coil packs ourselves (Carfax report indicated that had never been done/ or neglected to report that it was done. All looked to be original except for one coil pack...who knows 🤷‍♀️)as the Renegade started idling horribly (almost seeming to want to shut off), misfiring and acting like it couldn't catch a gear randomly as we were driving.The issue was becoming more pronounced and persistent by the day.
After changing out all of the plugs and packs, the Jeep is running beautifully! No more rough idle, no jerking while driving and definitely not having issues with misfire or trying to find the gear.

Unfortunately, after taking it on the highway today, the service engine and transmission lights are back. Jeep is still running smoothly.
Oil level looks good and it isn't due for a change for another 2k miles.
No idea how old the battery is...Carfax doesn't note it ever being replaced.

The dealership is overbooked and can't see us for a while, so just trying to get some insight as we wait. Thanks!

 

[Kierstee]

To add, our Renegade has about 75,000 miles.
We use regular gas.
Service engine and transmission lights will turn off after the vehicle sits overnight and typically not illuminate again until we take it on the highway for a while.
Lights stay solid thus far, no flashing.
Also, we call him (our Renegade) Gremlin 💙

 

[IDoMy0wnRacing]

To add, our Renegade has about 75,000 miles.
We use regular gas.
Service engine and transmission lights will turn off after the vehicle sits overnight and typically not illuminate again until we take it on the highway for a while.
Lights stay solid thus far, no flashing.
Also, we call him (our Renegade) Gremlin 💙

W E L C O M E ! ! !
... to the forum.

Our Renegades has battery power issues, just little ones but they wreak havoc on the Renegade.

The negative battery terminal has a quick disconnect.

Make sure that the ignition is off,

Disconnect the negative battery terminal for about 60 seconds.

Reconnect the battery.

This process reboots the system and usually corrects any of the minor issues that arise.
The Renegade to a rolling computer, 2 main computer and some 40-ish submodules. Every once in a while, they just need to be rebooted.

The condition of the battery is very important also. If in doubt, have the battery LOAD tested, and replace if necessary.

The battery that came with the Renegade has proven to be good for only 2 or 3 years.

 

[Kierstee]

W E L C O M E ! ! !
... to the forum.

Our Renegades has battery power issues, just little ones but they wreak havoc on the Renegade.

The negative battery terminal has a quick disconnect.

Make sure that the ignition is off,

Disconnect the negative battery terminal for about 60 seconds.

Reconnect the battery.

This process reboots the system and usually corrects any of the minor issues that arise.
The Renegade to a rolling computer, 2 main computer and some 40-ish submodules. Every once in a while, they just need to be rebooted.

The condition of the battery is very important also. If in doubt, have the battery LOAD tested, and replace if necessary.

The battery that came with the Renegade has proven to be good for only 2 or 3 years.

Thank you and thank you for the reply!
Is changing the battery in the Renegade similar to changing the battery in other vehicles...as in it doesn't require a computer reset?
I came into this 2017 Renegade from a 2011 Hyundai Santa Fe AWD, so it's a world of a difference! 😅
I've read some forums where people say not to change the battery on our own as it can mess up the computer, so on and so forth. It seems there's lots of different opinions on the battery front.

I'll definitely have it tested though and we'll try the negative terminal battery disconnect that you recommended above! 🚙

 

[IDoMy0wnRacing]

It isn't too bad.

It has been a while, but...
Remove the negative battery terminal (quick disconnect).

Remove the 2 Phillip's screws to remove the fuse block retainer, remove the red retainer.

Loosen the 10 mm nut on the positive battery terminal and the fuse block should move up and out of the way enough to replace the battery.
You can remove the red cables at the fuse (left hand side of the fuse box as looking at the battery from the front of the Jeep) to move the fuse box out of the way a little easier.

Remove that battery retaining strap to remove the battery.

Install in reverse order.

NOTE:
when reinstalling the fuse box, after the positive terminal is over the battery post, install the fuse box retainer before tightening the positive battery terminal (the retainer can be out of alignment if you tighten the positive terminal before inserting the retainer).

 

[Kierstee]

It isn't too bad.

It has been a while, but...
Remove the negative battery terminal (quick disconnect).

Remove the 2 Phillip's screws to remove the fuse block retainer, remove the red retainer.

Loosen the 10 mm nut on the positive battery terminal and the fuse block should move up and out of the way enough to replace the battery.
You can remove the red cables at the fuse (left hand side of the fuse box as looking at the battery from the front of the Jeep) to move the fuse box out of the way a little easier.

Remove that battery retaining strap to remove the battery.

Install in reverse order.

NOTE:
when reinstalling the fuse box, after the positive terminal is over the battery post, install the fuse box retainer before tightening the positive battery terminal (the retainer can be out of alignment if you tighten the positive terminal before inserting the retainer).

You're awesome, thanks!
My husband is going to test the battery tomorrow and then we'll decide from there if we need to install a new one.
Finger's crossed that when he does the disconnect that the re-set will clear the lights for good🤞🚙

 

[Grigori Rasputin]

W E L C O M E ! ! !
... to the forum.

Our Renegades has battery power issues, just little ones but they wreak havoc on the Renegade.

The negative battery terminal has a quick disconnect.

Make sure that the ignition is off,

Disconnect the negative battery terminal for about 60 seconds.

Reconnect the battery.

This process reboots the system and usually corrects any of the minor issues that arise.
The Renegade to a rolling computer, 2 main computer and some 40-ish submodules. Every once in a while, they just need to be rebooted.

The condition of the battery is very important also. If in doubt, have the battery LOAD tested, and replace if necessary.

The battery that came with the Renegade has proven to be good for only 2 or 3 years.

*Taking notes.

 

[Kierstee]

It isn't too bad.

It has been a while, but...
Remove the negative battery terminal (quick disconnect).

Remove the 2 Phillip's screws to remove the fuse block retainer, remove the red retainer.

Loosen the 10 mm nut on the positive battery terminal and the fuse block should move up and out of the way enough to replace the battery.
You can remove the red cables at the fuse (left hand side of the fuse box as looking at the battery from the front of the Jeep) to move the fuse box out of the way a little easier.

Remove that battery retaining strap to remove the battery.

Install in reverse order.

NOTE:
when reinstalling the fuse box, after the positive terminal is over the battery post, install the fuse box retainer before tightening the positive battery terminal (the retainer can be out of alignment if you tighten the positive terminal before inserting the retainer).

So, my amazing husband did a load test yesterday and it said the battery is fine!
He disconnected to try the re-set and unfortunately, engine and transmission lights came back on when he drove the Gremlin home from work.
They stayed on during his drive home (30 miles). Gremlin sat overnight and when I drove it into town today, only the service engine light was on (20 miles).
When I got back in to head home from town ( it sat for about an hour) , neither warning lights were to be seen!
Drove it home (20 miles once again), no warning lights still.
We'll see what the Gremlin decides to do during tomorrow's ventures🤷‍♀️

 

[Mud Pie]

I do not trust CarFax at all. And I an not basing my opinion of hearsay, what I read online, what happened to my best friends brother, etc.. I'm going by personal experience.

In 2002 I bought a brand new PT Cruiser, 7 miles on it. Traded it in in 2009. In that time period I had two minor accidents that required body part replacements (drivers door and right front fender munched), blown tranny, blown main computer, blown timing belt, blown front hubs. All replaced at a Chrysler dealership, only the tranny done under warranty.

Traded it in at Mercedes. The dealership ran a CarFax report and showed it to me. It came back clean. The only thing accurate was my name and I'm the original owner. I fessed up and said it wasn't accurate by a long shot. Dealer said it didn't matter, it was going to auction anyway.

My friend was buying a used Toyota Tacoma from a dealer. CarFax said clean. Before buying he took it to a mechanic for a once-over. Mechanic sent him pics of the truck. Underneath he found several bent parts, evidence of it being in a somewhat major accident. He didn't buy it.

CarFax gets a zero in my book.

 

[Kierstee]

I do not trust CarFax at all. And I an not basing my opinion of hearsay, what I read online, what happened to my best friends brother, etc.. I'm going by personal experience.

In 2002 I bought a brand new PT Cruiser, 7 miles on it. Traded it in in 2009. In that time period I had two minor accidents that required body part replacements (drivers door and right front fender munched), blown tranny, blown main computer, blown timing belt, blown front hubs. All replaced at a Chrysler dealership, only the tranny done under warranty.

Traded it in at Mercedes. The dealership ran a CarFax report and showed it to me. It came back clean. The only thing accurate was my name and I'm the original owner. I fessed up and said it wasn't accurate by a long shot. Dealer said it didn't matter, it was going to auction anyway.

My friend was buying a used Toyota Tacoma from a dealer. CarFax said clean. Before buying he took it to a mechanic for a once-over. Mechanic sent him pics of the truck. Underneath he found several bent parts, evidence of it being in a somewhat major accident. He didn't buy it.

CarFax gets a zero in my book.

Good to know! In our experience, our last two Carfax reports were spot on. (We knew the previous owners)
This Renegade, we have 0 idea as we only have the Carfax to go off of.
Sad that we as people have to second guess it though when we don't have first hand knowledge..
Thanks for the heads up!

 

[greyghost]

So mine has done the same thing this week. I had the oil changed at the dealer and it went through most of the week with no trouble at all. All of a sudden one evening I was driving down the coast to visit someone and all of the lights and error messages it could conjure went off, one after another. "Battery" I thought as I drove home. I had the battery load tested and they did not recommend it be replaced (Les Schwab) but when I insisted did so. I got it back and it did it a few more times. When it happens the 4wd modes in the switch refuse to engage and the traction control stays on, and the display retains a "Service Engine" message. After a restart all works again. I am thinking Les Schwab might not have the knowledge necessary to reset things after replacing a battery (maybe) but as of today it runs fine and no more lights after a few restarts. After the last time I drove gently down a side street and engaged all the 4wd modes and back again. Might be that one did the trick as it has done fine so far since then.

Maybe it just got bored. My dog does this now and then too. The dog is happier after a good hard game of fetch so maybe the Jeep needs similar.