[geemale1957]

I’m sitting in a dealership waiting area writing this. Been here 3 separate times without any diagnostic services. Each time I get the lip service that it can be a multitude of reasons. Now I’m here for a dead battery. Jumped it last week for a battery issue then drove to the dealer to be told the battery is good. 1 week later jumped again. Today I learn the Pacifica has 2 batteries; learned the auxiliary battery handles the 12v systems such as the stop stop feature. However, the service department can’t tell me how the auxiliary battery charges. From reading, the alternator DOES NOT charge the auxiliary battery. My question, why does the service department not know this. In closing, I’m not angry, I’m very frustrated. I bought a new vehicle because I don’t want to have to learn how it works. I expect the professionals to know this and fox issues.

 

[goaliemo]

I’m sitting in a dealership waiting area writing this. Been here 3 separate times without any diagnostic services. Each time I get the lip service that it can be a multitude of reasons. Now I’m here for a dead battery. Jumped it last week for a battery issue then drove to the dealer to be told the battery is good. 1 week later jumped again. Today I learn the Pacifica has 2 batteries; learned the auxiliary battery handles the 12v systems such as the stop stop feature. However, the service department can’t tell me how the auxiliary battery charges. From reading, the alternator DOES NOT charge the auxiliary battery. My question, why does the service department not know this. In closing, I’m not angry, I’m very frustrated. I bought a new vehicle because I don’t want to have to learn how it works. I expect the professionals to know this and fox issues.

Alternator does not directly charge the auxiliary battery. But the auxiliary battery is still wired to the big battery, so the nator charges it with a middle man.
If the big battery starts to fail though, it pulls juice from the auxiliary. Auxiliary usually goes first and is a sign to get ready to replace both batteries. Not always the case. But more times then not I replace them in pairs.

And as a tech myself, I'd expect the advisors to have at least somewhat of an understanding of the common maintenance items and general functions. But doesn't always work like that. I'm not gonna go into a rant over that topic to save everyone the hassle.

 

[zageandsmokey]

Not an happy girl. (and I am a senior citizen old girl to boot!). Bought this vehicle cuz the floor is flat and I can get 2 large dog crates in for my siberian huskies when I take them out or do dog rescue work. This off/on feature seems to be a money maker for the Chrysler service dept. It never worked correctly from the get-go, so I just turned it off every trip, but yesterday the light went on, which had never happened before. Just spent $750 at the dealer to have it diagnosed and fixed. There is a product for $99 that is called the Auto Stop/Start Eliminator, sold by this company.
TRL Automotive, LLC
26 Peachtree Dr
Fairmont, WV 26554
info@trlauto.com
Do you think that this would be a permanent fix to not having to worry about these 2 batteries going bad again?
Thanks for any help you may give.