check engine light '96 4.0 HO Country

4 wheel high · 03-01-2006, 08:29 PM

Hi guys,
My folks has a '96 Country 4.0 HO Auto w/108k. The check engine light comes on and stays on..never flickers on and off. It runs smooth on the road and at a stop sign. The only thing that is different is that when it gets warm (not even up to operating temp) it becomes hard to start, but will start fine when cold. I had an '88 XJ, but had to 'upgrade' in size to a Dodge GC due to the family. As you know, they did alot of computer changing from'88-'96, so I'm pretty much at a loss on this one. Could it be the o2 going bad? How about injector sensors? Any help would be really appreciated! TIA!!!

Craig

mnoeltne · 03-02-2006, 02:52 PM

A 96 has an OBD II computer, so an engine light can mean almost anything. The first thing you need to do is to get the error code from the computer using a scan tool. Most AutoZone stores read codes for free. Or any repair shop will read it for you, but will charge for it. Once you have the code you can start troubleshooting the system that it points to.

Mark
01 totally stock XJ

Boomhauer · 03-03-2006, 02:15 AM

turn your ignition on/off three times in succession. the check engine light will then blink. count the blinks and this will be your first number. there will be a slight pause then more blinking, this is your second number. this is your first trouble code. it will keep flashing until all available codes are shown. the pauses are short though so try it a couple times to make sure the are correct then look up your codes.

mnoeltne · 03-03-2006, 01:11 PM

Unless Jeep is different than other cars, an OBD II equiped vehicle won't do this. Earlier ones did it, but OBD II monitors a LOT more stuff and has hundreds if not thousands of codes making it pretty much impossible to do blink codes. You will likely need to use a code reader to pull it.

I could be wrong, as my experience with this is with other makes and models, but OBD II added an extra layer of complexity on all 96 and newer cars and light trucks, and I doubt that Jeep is an exception.

Mark

xj-xile · 03-03-2006, 02:32 PM

The key trick works.

Leave it in the "on" position (or 'accessory on' it is sometimes called) on the third turn of the key.

I believe you will find a list of the OBDII codes somewhere in the Tech FAQ Sticky. The O2 sensor would cause a code 21, I believe. I should know, since I had the O2 sensor throw the code.