Check Engine Light
04-20-2004, 11:32 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
Check Engine Light
Greetings,
My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
in the past. Due for Inspection(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
Should I:
A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
Andrew
My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
in the past. Due for Inspection(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
Should I:
A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
Andrew
04-20-2004, 12:09 PM
#2
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Check Engine Light
"Reticulum" <rock_bustin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:879bfb06.0404200732.27bdc51b@posting.google.c om...
> Greetings,
>
> My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
> Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
> in the past. Due for Inspection(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
> Should I:
>
> A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
>
> B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
>
> D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
>
> Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
> had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
> to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
>
> Andrew
I'm not sure from your post if what you mean is that it simply flashed then
went out, or has come on and is staying on. The OBD II system on your '97
takes a number of inputs and should any of them go out of spec for a given
duration it will turn on the light. If it goes back into spec the light may
go back out on its own, or could "latch" requiring you to visit a dealer to
have it turned off. The fault could be as simple as a loose gas cap, or as
serious as a failed engine component, ther Feds want you suitably alarmed
enough to take it back to a dealer for inspection, therefore they wont agree
to have it read "emissions fault" or anything less alarming than "check
engine". FWIW, the issues are rarely anything fatal.
04-20-2004, 12:09 PM
#3
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Check Engine Light
"Reticulum" <rock_bustin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:879bfb06.0404200732.27bdc51b@posting.google.c om...
> Greetings,
>
> My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
> Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
> in the past. Due for Inspection(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
> Should I:
>
> A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
>
> B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
>
> D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
>
> Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
> had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
> to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
>
> Andrew
I'm not sure from your post if what you mean is that it simply flashed then
went out, or has come on and is staying on. The OBD II system on your '97
takes a number of inputs and should any of them go out of spec for a given
duration it will turn on the light. If it goes back into spec the light may
go back out on its own, or could "latch" requiring you to visit a dealer to
have it turned off. The fault could be as simple as a loose gas cap, or as
serious as a failed engine component, ther Feds want you suitably alarmed
enough to take it back to a dealer for inspection, therefore they wont agree
to have it read "emissions fault" or anything less alarming than "check
engine". FWIW, the issues are rarely anything fatal.
04-20-2004, 12:09 PM
#4
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Check Engine Light
"Reticulum" <rock_bustin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:879bfb06.0404200732.27bdc51b@posting.google.c om...
> Greetings,
>
> My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
> Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
> in the past. Due for Inspection(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
> Should I:
>
> A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
>
> B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
>
> D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
>
> Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
> had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
> to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
>
> Andrew
I'm not sure from your post if what you mean is that it simply flashed then
went out, or has come on and is staying on. The OBD II system on your '97
takes a number of inputs and should any of them go out of spec for a given
duration it will turn on the light. If it goes back into spec the light may
go back out on its own, or could "latch" requiring you to visit a dealer to
have it turned off. The fault could be as simple as a loose gas cap, or as
serious as a failed engine component, ther Feds want you suitably alarmed
enough to take it back to a dealer for inspection, therefore they wont agree
to have it read "emissions fault" or anything less alarming than "check
engine". FWIW, the issues are rarely anything fatal.
04-20-2004, 12:09 PM
#5
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Check Engine Light
"Reticulum" <rock_bustin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:879bfb06.0404200732.27bdc51b@posting.google.c om...
> Greetings,
>
> My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
> Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
> in the past. Due for Inspection(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
> Should I:
>
> A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
>
> B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
>
> D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
>
> Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
> had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
> to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
>
> Andrew
I'm not sure from your post if what you mean is that it simply flashed then
went out, or has come on and is staying on. The OBD II system on your '97
takes a number of inputs and should any of them go out of spec for a given
duration it will turn on the light. If it goes back into spec the light may
go back out on its own, or could "latch" requiring you to visit a dealer to
have it turned off. The fault could be as simple as a loose gas cap, or as
serious as a failed engine component, ther Feds want you suitably alarmed
enough to take it back to a dealer for inspection, therefore they wont agree
to have it read "emissions fault" or anything less alarming than "check
engine". FWIW, the issues are rarely anything fatal.
04-20-2004, 12:29 PM
#6
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Check Engine Light
the same thing happened to my friend's card. he just disconnected one of the
battery poles and reconnected. the light is off since then. it sounds stupid
but it worked.. he said if there is a real problem, it will come on again..
/topac
"Reticulum" <rock_bustin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:879bfb06.0404200732.27bdc51b@posting.google.c om...
> Greetings,
>
> My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
> Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
> in the past. Due for Inspect(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
> Should I:
>
> A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
>
> B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
>
> D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
>
> Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
> had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
> to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
>
> Andrew
battery poles and reconnected. the light is off since then. it sounds stupid
but it worked.. he said if there is a real problem, it will come on again..
/topac
"Reticulum" <rock_bustin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:879bfb06.0404200732.27bdc51b@posting.google.c om...
> Greetings,
>
> My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
> Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
> in the past. Due for Inspect(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
> Should I:
>
> A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
>
> B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
>
> D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
>
> Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
> had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
> to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
>
> Andrew
04-20-2004, 12:29 PM
#7
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Check Engine Light
the same thing happened to my friend's card. he just disconnected one of the
battery poles and reconnected. the light is off since then. it sounds stupid
but it worked.. he said if there is a real problem, it will come on again..
/topac
"Reticulum" <rock_bustin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:879bfb06.0404200732.27bdc51b@posting.google.c om...
> Greetings,
>
> My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
> Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
> in the past. Due for Inspect(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
> Should I:
>
> A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
>
> B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
>
> D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
>
> Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
> had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
> to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
>
> Andrew
battery poles and reconnected. the light is off since then. it sounds stupid
but it worked.. he said if there is a real problem, it will come on again..
/topac
"Reticulum" <rock_bustin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:879bfb06.0404200732.27bdc51b@posting.google.c om...
> Greetings,
>
> My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
> Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
> in the past. Due for Inspect(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
> Should I:
>
> A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
>
> B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
>
> D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
>
> Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
> had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
> to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
>
> Andrew
04-20-2004, 12:29 PM
#8
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Check Engine Light
the same thing happened to my friend's card. he just disconnected one of the
battery poles and reconnected. the light is off since then. it sounds stupid
but it worked.. he said if there is a real problem, it will come on again..
/topac
"Reticulum" <rock_bustin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:879bfb06.0404200732.27bdc51b@posting.google.c om...
> Greetings,
>
> My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
> Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
> in the past. Due for Inspect(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
> Should I:
>
> A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
>
> B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
>
> D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
>
> Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
> had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
> to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
>
> Andrew
battery poles and reconnected. the light is off since then. it sounds stupid
but it worked.. he said if there is a real problem, it will come on again..
/topac
"Reticulum" <rock_bustin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:879bfb06.0404200732.27bdc51b@posting.google.c om...
> Greetings,
>
> My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
> Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
> in the past. Due for Inspect(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
> Should I:
>
> A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
>
> B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
>
> D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
>
> Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
> had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
> to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
>
> Andrew
04-20-2004, 12:29 PM
#9
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Check Engine Light
the same thing happened to my friend's card. he just disconnected one of the
battery poles and reconnected. the light is off since then. it sounds stupid
but it worked.. he said if there is a real problem, it will come on again..
/topac
"Reticulum" <rock_bustin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:879bfb06.0404200732.27bdc51b@posting.google.c om...
> Greetings,
>
> My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
> Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
> in the past. Due for Inspect(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
> Should I:
>
> A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
>
> B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
>
> D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
>
> Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
> had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
> to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
>
> Andrew
battery poles and reconnected. the light is off since then. it sounds stupid
but it worked.. he said if there is a real problem, it will come on again..
/topac
"Reticulum" <rock_bustin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:879bfb06.0404200732.27bdc51b@posting.google.c om...
> Greetings,
>
> My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
> Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
> in the past. Due for Inspect(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
> Should I:
>
> A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
>
> B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
>
> D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
>
> Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
> had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
> to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
>
> Andrew
04-20-2004, 12:39 PM
#10
Guest
Posts: n/a
Re: Check Engine Light
Yup, that works.
A loose gas cap can set the light off.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
osu wrote:
>
> the same thing happened to my friend's card. he just disconnected one of the
> battery poles and reconnected. the light is off since then. it sounds stupid
> but it worked.. he said if there is a real problem, it will come on again..
> /topac
>
> "Reticulum" <rock_bustin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:879bfb06.0404200732.27bdc51b@posting.google.c om...
> > Greetings,
> >
> > My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
> > Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
> > in the past. Due for Inspect(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
> > Should I:
> >
> > A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
> >
> > B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
> >
> > D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
> >
> > Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
> > had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
> > to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
> >
> > Andrew
A loose gas cap can set the light off.
Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
osu wrote:
>
> the same thing happened to my friend's card. he just disconnected one of the
> battery poles and reconnected. the light is off since then. it sounds stupid
> but it worked.. he said if there is a real problem, it will come on again..
> /topac
>
> "Reticulum" <rock_bustin@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:879bfb06.0404200732.27bdc51b@posting.google.c om...
> > Greetings,
> >
> > My '97 TJ (bought new) just flashed the idiot lite for
> > Check Engine. 69K miles. Never seen it go on before. No wrecks
> > in the past. Due for Inspect(less Emissions) in VA. in May.
> > Should I:
> >
> > A. Ignore it; It'll break sooner or later and then I'll know ?
> >
> > B. Ask the mechanic in May to, "take a look at it" ?
> >
> > D. Don't delay, have it checked ASAP ?
> >
> > Owner's Manual seems to imply emissions problem is iminent. Never
> > had one of these lites go off on me before. Can anyone get me up
> > to speed ? My TJ has always been near-cherry even after 7 years.
> >
> > Andrew
