I have a 1999 TJ, 4.0 with the "check engine" light on, but it seems to be running fine.
When I check for error codes, all of the gauges go nuts and the odometer flashes a series of all zeros, ones, twos, etc. all the way through nine.
000000...111111...222222...333333.........999999
but I never see any error codes, and the "Check Engine" light never flashes...it just comes on at the end and stays on.
So does this mean that the problem was probably very short-lived and is now corrected? In which case the "check engine" light is waiting for 40 warm-up cycles or a battery disconnect....whichever comes first.
You can't access your own diagnostic codes in that year TJ without an OBDII code reader. Older and newer TJs have that ability built-in but unfortunately, yours is one of a couple years of models without that ability.
Standard solution for that is to reverse polarity, restart the transwarp drive and fire a full spread of photon torpedos.
But if that fails, then definitely check the gas cap. #1 cause of a CHECK ENGINE idiot light is an incomplete seal on the gas cap, causing the emissions control system vacuum test to fail.
Just putting the gas cap back on right may not immediately turn the warning light off. May take three or more restarts of the engine before the computer decides the trouble has stopped and turns the warning indicator back off.
Try having the gas cap tested. Same thing happened to my 02. Dealership changed out the gas cap and the check engine light went off. The service advisor told me that they have had quite a few bad caps. The 03 went to a new style gas cap to correct the problem.
C'mon guys be easy on him. Your '99 does not have self diagnostic capability. In other words to pull codes you need to either buy a diagnostic code reader or have a shop do it for you. It really bites, I'm in the same boat & it really bites. Try the battery disconnect (not likely to help but what the hey). Ummm, the gas cap? It doesn't cost anything to try.
My check engine light came on & the heep is running fine. Paid $20 to get the codes pulled & they told me the 'puter was getting intermitant readings from the Crank position sensor OR the cam position sensor. Pulled the bulb & been holding my breath. Been running fine for 6 months but..........not recomended practice. Kinda long, sorry HTH Audra
I was in this same boat three wks ago, and my 2000 wont let me pull codes. so i disconnected the battery - i love cheap fixes.
Interestingly enough, last sat night some crack-head stole my gascap and the light didn't come on. Sunday when I went to fill up - imaging my amazement - no cap!
I can't imagine that Jeep would let you pull the codes on the early TJ's and not the later ones, but maybe they did remove that feature.
I had a hard time with this at first too, I got the same results (guages going nuts) on my 97, you have to switch the ignition on (without starting it) and off three times within 5 seconds and then hold the odom. button down while switching it on - the codes should display on the odom.
Hope this helps,
Joe
I went out and bought the scanner. I'd rather find out that nothing is wrong with my jeep than overlook that light the ONE TIME that it's actually broken. 99% of the codes I pulled off were for a large fuel evaporation system leak...or a faulty gas cap.
It's got an option to just turn the light off...just in case it comes on like that (I think)
I just recently got my TJ, so I traded my old XJ in. I haven't needed it since, but I'm not getting rid of the scanner because I plan on driving this one for a while. Just go buy the scanner if you can afford one. I think it's worth the money to get rid of that light.
...
I just recently got my TJ, so I traded my old XJ in. I haven't needed it since, but I'm not getting rid of the scanner because I plan on driving this one for a while. Just go buy the scanner if you can afford one. I think it's worth the money to get rid of that light.
A very basic scanner costs less than a tank of gas. Watch the sales and you can get a decent one under $100. It's something everyone who touches a car should have.
My boss finally got his own after borrowing mine a few times because he was getting (expensive) flim flam stories from his Mercedes dealer.
I do remember reading in a technical manual about if the Airbag lamp burns out, it'll automatically start using the check engine light.. I don't remember the specifics. But when in doubt, ignore it, that should make the problem go away.
Had to dig up this old thread as it's the only "check engine light" thread that also deals with the no-codes problem that I have.
Mine is an '02 TJ and using the ODM button method, I'm getting the full light show with no codes.
What years can you not get codes without a reader?
You can't access your own diagnostic codes in that year TJ without an OBDII code reader. Older and newer TJs have that ability built-in but unfortunately, yours is one of a couple years of models without that ability.
I've got a 2000 and mine does the same thing. The FAQ doesn't say what years you can't do it on ... so what years were gimped and not allowed to read their error codes?
My name is Marie and I live in the French West Indies. My boyfriend has a Jeep Grand Cherokee 2001, VM Motor.
The thing is, he had to change 2 seals in the automatic shift because of a oil leak. He did it with ly brother. Everything seemed ok
but when he tried to start the Jeep, the "engine light" was on, so he could not start. He checked everything, all the sensors they touched but everything is ok. Then we found out that the Top Dead Center sensor (TDC) was broken. We alo changed it and so far, more than 3 weeks later) the Jeep can not start. A mechanic tested it with his computer program and also found "no error codes" which means that we can not do a reset neither.
We are desparate. I want to help him. We have no money to buy another vehicule and he loves his Jeep. I hope one of you will be able to help us. My english is not perfect especially with technical terms but I will do my best to understand if you take the time to reply. He checked on the French community but no one replied so far. PLEASE!!!! Thanks a lot for your time!
The VM diesel engine is not something that people will be familiar with on this forum, as I think it was for export markets only, so you would have better look on non US forums.
There are plenty of people on http://www.birtydastards.com (UK Forum) and http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com (Australian Forum) that will be familiar with the engine and able to offer advice on it.
Good luck with getting it running.
Your English is very good by the way. Better than some who are born in England.
Thanks for the replies and for your time!
We decided to scan it and it seems that my boyfriend made a mistake when he put back the automatic shift.
The lechanic is nice and proposed him to take some free lessons with him to learn how to do this correctly!
We hope it gets fixed very soon!
Thanks again and have a good day in Jeep!
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