Are you getting the Stop/Start Unavailable Service Stop/Start System message and you wonder why is this happening to you? If that’s correct, you are in the right place because in this article there will be a lot to cover.
So, what could be causing this annoying message on your Jeep? Well, this issue is typically related to the car battery, as well as other electrical problems. Also, extreme weather or different cabin/engine temperatures can as well cause this problem.
This is why you need to do proper research on every issue that pops up here and there and make sure that you sort the problem out as soon as possible. You just don’t want to leave the issue like that and end up stranded in the middle of nowhere.
And that’s why we are here for you. First, we are going to elaborate on the error and learn what the Stop/Start Unavailable Service Stop/Start System message is.
Then, we are going to dive into the main causes of the problem, as well as the possible solutions to this problem. So, without further ado, let’s dive into the topic.
What Is A Stop/Start System?
Now let’s learn more about the basics of stop/start technology and see what this system does. This would be quite useful for people who are new to cars and don’t yet understand what this technology is.
So, if you are one of them, this chapter will be the perfect introduction for you. If not, you can move on to the next chapters where we elaborate more on the problem and learn the causes for the problem.
So, what is the stop/start system? The start/stop technology is not something new. This technology has existed for more than a decade.
This technology is pretty simple. Whenever the computer detects that the vehicle is not moving it will turn off the engine. It will cut the fuel and ignition and the engine will come to a halt.
Then, when you are ready to move forward, you release the brake or put the car into gear, and the start/stop will activate. This time it will turn on the engine.
Then, you can keep moving forward. Many people do not like to have start/stop because it is kind of annoying at some point if you drive a lot in bumper-to-bumper traffic. You can simply turn it off and this will solve your problem.
So, what are the benefits of this technology? Well, the first benefit is that it saves a lot of fuel. With start/stop technology, you will save a lot of money on gas.
Nowadays gas is very expensive and having a feature like this is very useful if you want to cut down on costs for fuel.
It is also very Eco-friendly. So, your car does not pollute while the engine is turned off. And also, the car is very quiet.
Since we introduced ourselves with stop/start technology and learned what this technology is and how it works.
We can now move on and elaborate more on this problem and learn more about what it means for you as a driver. Knowing this will make solving this problem a lot easier for you.
The first thing to note when you get the Stop/Start Unavailable Service Stop/Start System Grand Cherokee message is that this message tells you that you cannot operate the stop/start system.
Also, there can be an icon with the capital letter “A” on the cluster.
This means that whenever this message is on the cluster, your stop/start will not be active until you solve the problem.
Take note that this is a problem that will not affect your driving in any way. This means that you can drive with this warning light as long as you want.
But the downside is, of course, the lack of the start/stop feature and your vehicle might not be as fuel efficient as before.
One good thing about this problem is that this is an early predictor that your car battery is probably near failure and has to be replaced.
This is why having this in mind will potentially help you avoid getting stranded in the middle of nowhere.
But there is a lot more going around when it comes to this problem. And luckily in the following chapters, we are going to cover the causes for this issue and then we are going to learn how to solve it properly.
Now let’s move on and learn more about the causes for this annoying Stop/Start Unavailable Service Stop/Start System message. What is worth noting is that there can be a few types of problems.
So, let’s move on and dissect the possible causes one by one and learn more about each one of them in detail.
The first cause of the problem is battery-related. When we talk about the battery, we mean the auxiliary battery of your vehicle.
This is the battery that allows your Jeep to start. Without this battery being in good shape, you will have a lot of difficulties starting your Jeep.
This battery for these start/stop systems is usually AGM (short for Absorbed Glass Mat) or in some cases EFB (Enhanced Flooded Battery). It is not the typical lead acid battery that many people think.
Because the old-school design tends to drain much faster compared to the AGM and EFB batteries in start/stop applications.
So, this type of battery has the same power output of 12.6 volts, as your regular lead acid battery. The only difference is the technology, these batteries are using more advanced technologies.
Nevertheless, these start/stop systems are very demanding because your vehicle stops a lot during the day. So, there are many cycles through which the battery goes.
And it will eventually fail after a few years of use. And when the battery fails, you will have some of the following symptoms:
- Battery Light
- Stop/Start Unavailable
- Difficulty Starting
The first thing you want to do in these situations is to check the voltage that the battery produces. For this purpose, you will need a multimeter.
A multimeter is a special device that you can use to measure electric properties. You just need to turn the multimeter to measure volts.
A good reading for a battery that is charging fully, should be about 12.6 volts. Anything below 12 volts will mean that the battery is not performing as it should and has to be replaced.
2. Corroded Wires Or Loose Terminals
Another common cause for these problems is corroded wires or loose terminals. The battery of the vehicle has to be connected to the terminals.
The terminals can corrode very often. This is often caused when you drive through roads where a lot of salt is thrown throughout the winter, or if you live near the coast.
Sometimes the battery can also cook off and release some of the acid that will corrode the terminals. Overall, a pretty bad situation.
Mainly because in these situations, the car battery will not have proper contact with the wires that should deliver power and ground connection.
The best is to clean the wires with a wire brush or sandpaper, as well as the terminals. Then tighten everything back together. The problem with the stop/start should be gone.
Another situation is whenever the wires are loose. Loose wires can also make a bad connection and trigger this warning on the cluster.
So, whenever you have this problem, make sure that the wires are properly tightened to the terminals and are not loose.
3. Bad Alternator
A bad alternator can also trigger a problem with the start/stop unavailable message. The alternator is a crucial component that allows your battery to be charged up.
If this alternator does not generate enough electricity, the battery will be constantly empty and the system for the start/stop will not have enough electricity to run properly.
This is why we often advise you to deeply inspect the alternator. This test can also be done with a multimeter.
You just need to test the alternator while the engine is running. A good voltage for a properly working alternator should be between 13.7 and 14.5 volts.
If the voltage is lower than this, you either have a weak battery or a bad alternator. So, it is advised that you also charge the battery with a charger to see if it holds power.
Alternator replacement can be expensive. So, always test twice before you deem the alternator to be replaced.
4. Weather Conditions
Weather conditions can also affect how the car works. In fact, it has been proven that when the outside temperature is too high or too low, it can affect how all systems work.
Mainly because the AC turns on and the AC draws too much power from the engine. Affecting the stop/start system in the process.
So, you must make sure if the problem appears only until the engine warms up, be patient because this problem will soon be gone from the cluster.
5. Engine/Cabin Temperature
Another common cause for this problem with the stop/start unavailable service stop/start system is the engine cabin temperature.
So, for example, if the engine temperature is too low, the computer will disable the stop/start system.
Or if you drive in very hot weather and the engine fan is working and there is not a sufficient airstream. This situation will also mean that the stop/start system will not be working because the fan of the car is working.
Also, this system becomes inoperative when the cabin temperature does not reach or exceed the operating range.
So, the cabin temperature needs to be in the proper range if you want to have this stop/start system working.
6. Other Possible Culprits For This Problem
Other possible problems can cause this problem to appear. These culprits are rarely the problem but they can sometimes be causing you this headache.
Problems with the PCM can cause a problem like this. The PCM is the car computer. Sometimes when this computer fails, it can start showing some weird messages like in this case.
Other causes for this problem include:
- A Bad Hood Switch
- Blown Fuses
- Blown Relays
- Check Engine Light
- Malfunctioning HVAC Control Module
- Bad Solar Sensor
- Loose Gas Cap
- Overloaded Ventilation
- Open Door
- Unfastened Seat Belt
- Heated Windshield
- Bad Battery Sensor, and
- Bad Maf Sensor.
To diagnose this problem properly, you will need to get a multimeter. With a multimeter, you can measure different electric properties.
So, this tool is kind of crucial when it comes to diagnosing your battery and alternator. For a good battery, you should get about 12.6 volts, and for a good alternator, you should get about 13.5 volts while the engine is running.
How you can do these tests, you can watch in the video how this procedure is done step by step. The tutorial is perfect for beginners and advanced mechanics.
If one of these components is causing this problem it has to be replaced. If they are in good condition, maybe you have some electrical gremlins going on with your Jeep or there is an issue with the outside temperatures and the sensors.
In this case, visiting a shop or a car electrician might be your best bet to solve this problem.
Why Is My Auto Start/Stop Not Available?
There may be several reasons why your auto start/stop feature is not available:
1. Low Battery Charge
2. High Electrical Load
3. The Engine Has Not Fully Warmed Up
4. Ambient Conditions
5. Faulty Sensors or Components
Why Has My Stop/Start Stopped Working?
Possible reasons for your stop/start system not working could include a faulty battery, a malfunctioning starter motor, a problem with the engine control unit (ECU), or a fault in the stop/start system itself.
Conclusion
In this article, we covered quite a bit regarding the stop/start unavailable service stop/start system message.
First, we learned what this system is and what it does. Then we covered the main culprits that could be causing this issue in your Jeep. But is it fixable?
Yes, everything is fixable. In this case, the main problem is either the battery or the alternator. There can be other reasons. But these are rarely the problems behind this message. So, check the electrical system first and make sure that the battery is healthy.
If you want to learn more about Jeep problems, we would like to recommend the article “Jeep Wrangler All Warning Lights On” where we elaborate on why dash lights turn on without any reason.
