How does one disable the stop/start autostart?

2019 JEEP COMPASS
213,000 MILES • 2.4L • 4WD • MANUAL
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CHRISTOPHER SA
  • MEMBER
  • 255 POSTS
My friend has just purchased a used 2019 Jeep Compass and she really hates the auto stop/start. Is there a way to disable this 'feature' without going out and buying a 'dongle' to plug into the car somewhere? And would disabling this feature affect any other systems in the car?
May 7, 2026 at 5:36 PM

What to check next

Diagnostic guidance. Suggested checks and possible repairs are separate from the owner's reported results.

Use the owner's manual for the vehicle's actual market and equipment to confirm the factory stop/start control and its reset behavior. The existing button was the option the owner located in this discussion. No permanent modification was installed or evaluated here. Claims about scan-tool disabling or an aftermarket device should not be treated as verified compatibility or a guarantee that other systems are unaffected.

Guidance references and applicability

Source discussion: question 1712712 https://2carpros.com/questions/how-does-one-disable-the-stop-start-autostart--1712712 Supports the reported history and outcome only. Follow-up guidance is editorial synthesis; unverified specifications and diagnoses are not adopted.

Read the replies · Discussion summary and reported outcome

AI-ASSISTED GUIDANCE · REVIEWED BY 2CARPROS
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 110,246 POSTS
Hi:

There is a button, usually labeled with an “A” inside a circle with an arrow around it. I believe on a 2019, it is on the center console, behind the shifter.

Here is the thing. If you want that turned off, you will need to press the button each time the vehicle is driven. Once the engine is turned off, it resets and will be on again when the vehicle is restarted.

Let me know if you can find the switch or if you have other questions.

Take care,

Joe
May 7, 2026 at 7:57 PM
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STEVE W.
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 15,367 POSTS
While it can be done using a dealer level scan tool and a secure gateway ID, those are generally going to cost more money and time than the dongle, and if you decided to enable it again, you have to visit the shop or dealer and pay to have it re-activated. The dongle however is easy to install and remove as desired. I've installed a few of them and as yet have not seen them cause an issue. The one I commonly use is by 4D Tech but there are a few out there.
May 8, 2026 at 1:25 PM
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CHRISTOPHER SA
  • MEMBER
  • 255 POSTS
Hi Guys,

Thanks for the input from both of you.

Yes, we found the button. It is annoying to have to keep remembering to push it every time we get in the car.

I just visited the 4dTech website. Very impressive fix. A tad expensive though.

As an aside, if I ever came across a car that looked amazing and which I wanted, I would rip out most of the electronics and make the car pre-2000s electrically (yes, it would very expensive, a huge job but a very real learning experience). The only thing I would keep is steering wheel airbag and ABS (maybe). The crap that they are including in cars today is awful and has become quite intrusive.
May 8, 2026 at 5:39 PM
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STRAILER
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 55,549 POSTS
Yep good call, I think we will be going back to a more of a minimalistic automotive world once people get tired of all the problems the computerized electronics create.
May 10, 2026 at 9:58 AM
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Discussion summary

How does one disable the stop/start autostart?

The owner asked about disabling automatic stop/start on a friend's 2019 Jeep Compass without buying an add-on device. Contributors discussed the factory off button and aftermarket options. The owner confirmed locating the button but disliked having to operate it each trip.

Reported outcome: The owner confirmed finding the factory button. No permanent-disable installation or result was reported.

The discussion does not verify device compatibility, coding availability or effects on other systems. The listed transmission and market configuration were not independently confirmed.

Read the original discussion

AI-ASSISTED SUMMARY · REVIEWED BY 2CARPROS
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