These instructions apply to the Jeep Grand Cherokee Mk4 (WK2) 2011-2022.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
The automatic stop/start on your Jeep Grand Cherokee (2011–2022) cuts the engine at junctions to save fuel. If you’d rather keep it running — towing, off-roading, or in heavy traffic — you can switch it off with a single button. It’s a normal economy feature, not a fault, and the Grand Cherokee lets you make the choice every time you drive.
How Stop/Start Works on the Grand Cherokee
When you bring the Grand Cherokee to a firm stop with the brake pressed, the engine cuts to save fuel; easing off the brake restarts it straight away. A battery-monitoring sensor watches the 12 V state of charge, and the system also weighs engine temperature, cabin climate demand, gradient and whether you’re on the move. Because this is a heavy vehicle that’s often towing or working off-road, it holds the engine on whenever a stop would leave you short of power or comfort — that’s deliberate, not a malfunction.
Before You Begin
- You can press the button with the ignition on or the engine running — no special preparation is needed.
- To keep the engine on for towing or a repair, switch stop/start off first, then carry on.
- The setting isn’t stored: it returns to ON at the next engine start.
- If the light is on before you touch anything, the system has likely disabled itself for one of the reasons below rather than because you switched it off.
Turning Stop/Start Off
- Find the stop/start button — marked with the ‘A’ with a circular arrow, usually on the dash near the gear selector.
- Press the button once.
- The warning light illuminates to confirm the system is off — the engine now idles normally at a stop.
Turning It Back On
Press the button again, or restart the car — stop/start defaults to ON every time you start the engine, so press the button each drive if you want it off.
Why It Sometimes Keeps the Engine Running
Even with stop/start active, the Grand Cherokee holds the engine on when conditions aren’t met, for example:
- The 12 V battery charge is low, or the battery sensor isn’t satisfied.
- The cabin is still heating or cooling to the set temperature.
- The engine is still cold, or you’re on a steep slope or towing.
- The car hasn’t fully stopped, or the brake isn’t firmly pressed.
- Four-wheel-drive or low-range is engaged for off-road use.
If Stop/Start Won’t Work or Won’t Stay Set
- A weak or ageing battery is the most common cause — the system disables itself to protect it.
- After a battery change, fit the correct type and let it learn over a few drives before expecting normal cut-outs.
- A recent battery disconnect can suspend the feature until the car has relearned the state of charge.
- Cold weather and short trips leave the battery low, so stop/start may stay dormant until it recovers.
- Strong heating, air-con or demister demand keeps the engine running to hold cabin comfort.
- A stored fault can disable it — look up the code on autodtcs.com.
After the Reset
Once you press the button, the warning light stays on for the rest of that drive and the engine idles normally at every stop instead of cutting out. Switch the ignition off and back on and stop/start returns to its default ON state, so you press the button again if you want it off. This makes it easy to disable each time you hitch up a trailer or head off-road, then leave it on for economy during normal driving.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I turn off stop/start on a Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Press the ‘A’ button with the circular arrow on the dash, near the gear selector. The warning light comes on to confirm the system is off, and the engine then idles normally rather than cutting out at junctions. Press the same button again whenever you want the fuel-saving function back on for the rest of that drive.
Can I disable it permanently?
Not from the button alone — the Grand Cherokee resets stop/start to ON every time you start the engine, so the ‘off’ choice doesn’t carry over. The simplest habit is to press the button once each time you set off, or each time you hitch up a trailer, if you prefer a steady idle.
Why does the engine keep running with stop/start on?
The system only stops the engine when it’s safe and efficient. If the 12 V battery is low, the cabin is still heating or cooling, the engine is cold, you’re on a slope, towing, or the brake isn’t firmly pressed, the Grand Cherokee keeps idling. On this kind of vehicle that happens often, and it’s normal protective behaviour rather than a fault.
Should I turn stop/start off when towing or off-road?
Many owners prefer to. When towing, on a steep incline, or crawling off-road, a steady idle keeps power and response consistent, so switching the feature off can feel more natural. It does no harm to leave it on, but the button is there precisely so you can choose based on how you’re using the vehicle that day.
Why won’t stop/start work at all?
The usual reason is a weak or ageing 12 V battery, which the Grand Cherokee protects by disabling the feature. A recent battery disconnect, cold weather, or a lot of short trips can all leave the charge too low. Once the battery recovers, or is renewed with the correct type, stop/start normally returns on its own after a few drives.
Do I need a special battery for stop/start?
Yes — stop/start models use an enhanced battery built for frequent cycling. Fitting an ordinary battery, or one of the wrong specification, can stop the system working and shorten battery life. After any replacement, give the vehicle a few drives so the sensor can relearn the state of charge before expecting normal engine cut-outs.
If a warning light came on with the fault, decode it on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Jeep. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.