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General Forums => The Mess Hall => Topic started by: Mozman68 on February 21, 2006, 03:39:03 PM

Title: check engine light
Post by: Mozman68 on February 21, 2006, 03:39:03 PM: freak out moment....(remember, I've only had it a month)

Check engine light came on when I started the Jeep to leave from work...just over 64,000 miles....no issues...everything running fine.

Thoughts??

Just an oxygen sensor?? preset mileage check??
Title: check engine light
Post by: lanulos89 on February 21, 2006, 04:56:33 PM: try checking the tps sensor. The day after i got my jeep the engine light came on, and i was flipping out. Turned out to be the tps sensor, only about 30 bucks to fix thank god.
Title: check engine light
Post by: Jeffy on February 21, 2006, 08:26:47 PM: Is the light staying on? If not then I wouldn't worry about it too much. If it's staying on on reappearing then you'll want to see what the code is.

Trying to figure out what's wrong with it with that description is really a shot in the dark. :roll:
Title: still on
Post by: Mozman68 on February 22, 2006, 07:59:13 AM: Yeah.... I was hoping it would go off when I re-started.....still on even after sitting overnight. Guess it's a trip to the dealer when I get time.
Title: check engine light
Post by: wildman4x4nut on February 22, 2006, 08:38:07 AM: You don't have to take it to the dealer to get your codes read. If you go to the local autoparts store they will read your codes for you. Or you can try to read them your self. On 97 TJ's you can do our own flash test but I am not sure if it still works in 2000.
You turn your key to the run postion 3 times from the off postion. On the third time you leave the key in the run postion and in you odomiter window codes should start popping up. If that doesn't work then take it to a autoparts store. Most of them will read your codes for free hoping you will buy the parts to fix it from them.
My check engine light kept coming on and it was BOTH my O2 sensors. Took me a while to find the correct one for the downstream sensor.

Good luck and keep us posted.
Title: hmmmmm
Post by: Mozman68 on February 22, 2006, 09:14:00 AM: Made an appointment for Friday morning, so I'll swing by NAPA tomorrow at lunch and see what they say. Easy to change those sensors out?? Haven't fooled around much as I had never owned a jeep prior to last month (and not a real experienced car guy as it is...)
Title: Found problem
Post by: Mozman68 on February 24, 2006, 07:14:25 AM: Dealership did their $75 diagnostic to tell me that I need my gas cap on....I feel like a 'tard.

The reason I have had it off for the last month is I put a billet aluminum one on and the standard cap doesn't fit (at least without pushing the door open).

Anyone know a good replacement cap that is lower profile than the OEM??
Title: check engine light
Post by: Jeffy on February 24, 2006, 12:28:06 PM: Wow that sucks. For that kinda change you could have bought a code reader. :?
Title: hah
Post by: Mozman68 on February 24, 2006, 12:46:49 PM: Quote from: "Jeffy"
Wow that sucks. For that kinda change you could have bought a code reader. :?

That's what I told the dealer....I was almost hoping the light meant the car was just about to explode so it would feel worthwhile going in for the check.

The $75 is standard for them JUST to check it and the average "repair" for a check engine light is $225 ($75 for the diagnosis and the rest to replace whatever sensor tipped it off).

I'll be buying a code reader next week!
Title: check engine light
Post by: Jeffy on February 24, 2006, 12:49:37 PM: Didn't someone else say go to a Auto Parts store? ( wildman4x4nut did.) They'll read codes for free. :?
Title: not Napa
Post by: Mozman68 on February 24, 2006, 01:08:29 PM: They wouldn't read crap....and when I went back this morning to ask for suggestions on a new gas cap the guy had this very puzzled look on his face. I said thanks anyway and ran out the door. Hoping someone on here or 4wd or jeepaholics has a suggestion before I buy what looks to be a lower profile locking gas cap on 4wd.com
Title: check engine light
Post by: Jeffy on February 24, 2006, 01:45:24 PM: I'm pretty sure AUto-ZOne or Peoboys will read codes for free. In any case, you can buy gas caps for $5 from just about anywhere. I lost my ORM one and ordered a replacement MOPAR. Then when it comes in they hit me with the $30. I've seen them at Kmart, and Walmart among other places.
Title: check engine light
Post by: SMC4WD on February 24, 2006, 04:08:47 PM: I can't believe they charged you $75.00 bucks to tell you the gas cap was off...

Let your expense be a lesson to all of us!! The Jeep was still running ok, right? Someone here at work taught me something, and it has stuck with me for a while...

"try free first". Time (sometimes) is free... Asking questions and driving here and there, is free...

I'm sorry for throwing money away, but I do thank you for a little more Jeep/computer knowledge.
Title: check engine light
Post by: Jeffy on February 24, 2006, 05:33:32 PM: These are probably the cheapest ODB II code readers.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0007LEG2K/qid=1140827304/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/103-0502755-5385466?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=15684181

It will read the code but you'll need an FSM to decypher the code, I believe.
There is one model higher that tells you want the code means.

There are many out there. It would pay for itself the first time you'd use it, too.

It's BS that they charged you $75 to read the code. Especially, if it was for the gas cap.
Title: check engine light
Post by: getstucksome on February 25, 2006, 11:17:11 AM: autozone does check codes for free. i should know :D
Title: Same Problem
Post by: black99tj on February 26, 2006, 09:49:51 PM: I bought my jeep used with 92,000 miles on it. When I got home from the dealership the light came on. It ended up being the throttle position sensor. I bought a new one and it was fine. the jeep had no symptoms of a problem though. Just gay computer stuff that means nothing in the long run.
Title: well....I'm pissed.
Post by: Mozman68 on March 06, 2006, 09:34:53 AM: went to Autozone yesterday....no cap fits.

went across the street to NAPA and bought one that looked like it had the lowest profile, but still not flush.

Been home sick since I got back from San Diego so I'll post some pics as soon as I can get my batteries charged.
Title: check engine light
Post by: jagular7 on March 06, 2006, 11:32:44 AM: Really? I didn't have one either when I picked mine up in OH last Feb. I went to Walmart and picked up a normal looking cap. Fit and within couple of miles the Check Engine light went out. Hasn't come back on now. Only problem I can see what will happen is that I'll forget to put it back on...
Title: check engine light
Post by: ratherbejeeping on March 06, 2006, 01:34:45 PM: (http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/photos/46000-46099/46030.gif)

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=46030
Title: woops
Post by: Mozman68 on March 06, 2006, 02:11:30 PM: Quote from: "jagular7"
Really? I didn't have one either when I picked mine up in OH last Feb. I went to Walmart and picked up a normal looking cap. Fit and within couple of miles the Check Engine light went out. Hasn't come back on now. Only problem I can see what will happen is that I'll forget to put it back on...

Guess I should clarify if I didn't mention it in an earlier post....the reason I didn't have my gas cap on in the first place is that it wouldn't fit under the billet aluminum gas hatch I installed. They had plenty that "fit" but not in my application. The Napa one is close enough as I just need to shave down the top handle slightly.