We are 95% sure we are going to go buy a new 2 door Wrangler soon and I was doing some research. I downloaded the owners manual from the Jeep Web site and found in the instructions for "Shifting Into NEUTRAL (N)":15. Disconnect the negative battery cable, and secure it away from the negative battery post.Our Jeep Liberty does not need a battery disconnect, so this caught me by surprise. I am curious what other Jeep owners are using for a disconnect. Pulling the cable of the battery and leaving it hang seems a bit crude. I see there are various disconnects on the market. Or is there a work around for this?

you can buy a lever type battery disconnect at any automotive store. Once installed you only have to lift the lever to disconnect the battery when needed. Installation is very simple and most automotive stores will do it for you, free of charge.

We've towed thousands of miles without disconnecting. Can't see any reason for it, the key is not on- there is no steering lock.Probably just out of date info in the manual.

There is no steering lock on a Wrangler column. So no need to leave the ignition in ACC. Why would you disconnect the battery? The owners manual certainly does't require that...

We have 2013 Jeep Wrangler. I never disconnect the battery, why. The car is not turned on when towing. I take the key out and put it in the console when towing. No steering wheel lock. This is one of the big advantages of towing a Jeep. Fast and easy.

I do not disconnect the battery in my new Jeep. I need power for my brake system. 3700 miles so far and no problems whatsoever.

2014 Wrangler Requires battery disconnect - What do you use?

sch911
Explorer
Sep 03, 2014
portscanner wrote:
sch911 wrote:
dubdub07 wrote:
mowermech wrote:
I wonder...
Of all the people who are towing newer Wranglers which have NO steering lock, and have been confused by the outdated instructions in the Owners Manual, how many have called (or written) Jeep Customer Service and told them about the incorrect information in the book?
Maybe if Jeep gets enough informative calls, they will issue a correction!

No they won't. Not unless there are more calls/complaints because my GC is wrong as well and I have written to Chrysler and told my dealer. I bet there are so many in print that they aren't going to change it until the supply is exhausted. Why they don't change the electronic version is asinine. This subject has been brought up so many times it seems that there needs to be a sticky.......for the Wrangler TOAD.

The 2014 JGC OM is correct, no steering lock, no battery pull is required. Just checked the OM myself...

Can I assume you mean the printed version is correct? As the owners manual from the Jeep Web site still has the reference to disconnecting the battery (page 552)

The 2013 OM has that not the 2014 OM....
bshpilot
Explorer
Sep 02, 2014
my 2012 Wrangler Owners Manuel is ALSO correct - no mention of doing anything to the battery or fuse box. (see Chapter 5, page 485, RECREATIONAL TOWING).
portscanner
Explorer
Sep 02, 2014
sch911 wrote:
dubdub07 wrote:
mowermech wrote:
I wonder...
Of all the people who are towing newer Wranglers which have NO steering lock, and have been confused by the outdated instructions in the Owners Manual, how many have called (or written) Jeep Customer Service and told them about the incorrect information in the book?
Maybe if Jeep gets enough informative calls, they will issue a correction!

No they won't. Not unless there are more calls/complaints because my GC is wrong as well and I have written to Chrysler and told my dealer. I bet there are so many in print that they aren't going to change it until the supply is exhausted. Why they don't change the electronic version is asinine. This subject has been brought up so many times it seems that there needs to be a sticky.......for the Wrangler TOAD.

The 2014 JGC OM is correct, no steering lock, no battery pull is required. Just checked the OM myself...

Can I assume you mean the printed version is correct? As the owners manual from the Jeep Web site still has the reference to disconnecting the battery (page 552)
sch911
Explorer
Sep 02, 2014
dubdub07 wrote:
mowermech wrote:
I wonder...
Of all the people who are towing newer Wranglers which have NO steering lock, and have been confused by the outdated instructions in the Owners Manual, how many have called (or written) Jeep Customer Service and told them about the incorrect information in the book?
Maybe if Jeep gets enough informative calls, they will issue a correction!

No they won't. Not unless there are more calls/complaints because my GC is wrong as well and I have written to Chrysler and told my dealer. I bet there are so many in print that they aren't going to change it until the supply is exhausted. Why they don't change the electronic version is asinine. This subject has been brought up so many times it seems that there needs to be a sticky.......for the Wrangler TOAD.

The 2014 JGC OM is correct, no steering lock, no battery pull is required. Just checked the OM myself...
sch911
Explorer
Sep 02, 2014
dubdub07 wrote:
mowermech wrote:
I wonder...
Of all the people who are towing newer Wranglers which have NO steering lock, and have been confused by the outdated instructions in the Owners Manual, how many have called (or written) Jeep Customer Service and told them about the incorrect information in the book?
Maybe if Jeep gets enough informative calls, they will issue a correction!

No they won't. Not unless there are more calls/complaints because my GC is wrong as well and I have written to Chrysler and told my dealer. I bet there are so many in print that they aren't going to change it until the supply is exhausted. Why they don't change the electronic version is asinine. This subject has been brought up so many times it seems that there needs to be a sticky.......for the Wrangler TOAD.

OK, ok I work there and will try to get this cleared up...
bshpilot
Explorer
Sep 01, 2014
2010+ wranglers do NOT require battery disconnects....in fact it NEEDS the battery connected to supply power TO the bulbs !

my suggestion is to use the MOPAR wiring harness (as i did on my 2012).

after 2010 there are no steering locks or fuses to be pulled - take the key and lock the jeep ! DONE !
dubdub07
Explorer
Sep 01, 2014
mowermech wrote:
I wonder...
Of all the people who are towing newer Wranglers which have NO steering lock, and have been confused by the outdated instructions in the Owners Manual, how many have called (or written) Jeep Customer Service and told them about the incorrect information in the book?
Maybe if Jeep gets enough informative calls, they will issue a correction!

No they won't. Not unless there are more calls/complaints because my GC is wrong as well and I have written to Chrysler and told my dealer. I bet there are so many in print that they aren't going to change it until the supply is exhausted. Why they don't change the electronic version is asinine. This subject has been brought up so many times it seems that there needs to be a sticky.......for the Wrangler TOAD.
portscanner
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
sch911 wrote:
It does not have a steering column lock so there is no need to disconnect the battery. The Owners Manual says nothing about disconnecting the battery...

I am going to assume you have a printed version of the Owners Manual that came with your 2014 Wranger. I downloaded the owners manual from the Jeep Web site and it is in there.

But this wont be the first time (or last) that a printed document contradicts an electronic version of a document. Mowermech has a good point:

mowermech wrote:
I wonder...
Of all the people who are towing newer Wranglers which have NO steering lock, and have been confused by the outdated instructions in the Owners Manual, how many have called (or written) Jeep Customer Service and told them about the incorrect information in the book?
Maybe if Jeep gets enough informative calls, they will issue a correction!
sch911
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
It does not have a steering column lock so there is no need to disconnect the battery. The Owners Manual says nothing about disconnecting the battery...
mowermech
Explorer
Aug 31, 2014
I wonder...
Of all the people who are towing newer Wranglers which have NO steering lock, and have been confused by the outdated instructions in the Owners Manual, how many have called (or written) Jeep Customer Service and told them about the incorrect information in the book?
Maybe if Jeep gets enough informative calls, they will issue a correction!