I have purchased a 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee and had the unified tow brake installed. I had the same system in my old Jeep and loved it. had no problems in all the years we towed that Jeep. The issue is, the new Jeep has to have the negative battery cable removed when towing. But, I need to have the battery power to use the braking system! I was told by the installer to skip that step and leave the battery cable connected. If I do this, what does it do the the Jeep?
Very likely, nothing. It is a misprint in the Owners Manual, due to the older Jeeps which had to have the ignition switch in the ON position to disconnect the steering lock. Most new Jeeps do not have a steering wheel lock, so the switch can be left in the OFF position.
To verify that you do NOT have a steering wheel lock, park the Jeep someplace where it will be easy to steer without the engine running (on wet grass, sand, gravel, etc.). Turn the ignition OFF, then turn the steering wheel. If possible, turn it one full turn both ways. If it turns, you do not have a steering lock, and you do not have to leave the ignition switch ON for towing. If the steering locks, and you have to turn the switch ON to unlock it, then you have to disconnect the battery cable for towing.
You CAN install a battery disconnect, leave the cable connected, and connect your braking system to the cable clamp at the battery. With the battery disconnect removed, the braking system will still be getting power.
Had you bought an older ('06 and earlier) Grand Cherokee you would not have this problem. They had an "OFF, not locked" position in the ignition switch.
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The owners manual clearly says that for the Quadra Track II and Quadra drive II the key should be removed. There is no requirement to detach the battery cable.
The instructions for recreational towing of a two wheel drive include rear wheels on tow dolly and removal of battery cable.
I have the Quadra Trac II. The last step in the towing procedure in the manual states the negative battery cable must be disconnected. I thought that is so because the ignition is to be left in the unlocked off/ postion which I think is the ACC position since there is no listing of the unlocked/off position in the manual. If that is the case, since I have the unified tow braking system, the unbilical cord from the motor home charges the battery from the motor home alternator, so I do not have to disconnect the battery cable. Also, if it is in the ACC position, I believe it needs the fob in the ignition since I do not think I can remove the fob. It will not come out. Thanks for the help!!! I am really confused on this!!!
We are considering purchasing a Grand Cherokee Overland and had the same question, so thanks for asking your question...since this is different from our Liberty setup. ADDITIONAL QUESTION...do you have the keyless start? If so, does that change anything, since you mentioned that the key doesn't need to be in the "on" position...but not sure how that would happen anyway...not used to all the keyless stuff.
ALSO...what break system do you use? We have the Even Brake system and were wondering about if it was easy to install on the Cherokee...we have it on our Liberty, but the front is different.
Thanks for any info!
* This post was
edited 08/07/11 02:45pm by pingpong *
pingpong with the keyless system you remove the keyless button from its housing ( its simply pops out) and use the key for set up with the final step removing the key.
I have the 2011 jeep gc also and called Jeep HQ about towing, they said to keep the batt.cable connected ( no locking steering wheel, was the why its ok ) they also said you won't get the hvac mssg. just watch the red light to confirm Tran. disconnect. I have been towing since March doing it this way and no problems.
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