constant beeping noise - could this be a low oil warning?

grady7 · 02-01-2010, 09:11 AM

Yesterday I was driving home from my ski trip and my '04 TJ X began beeping at me incessantly. Seatbelts were hooked, doors were closed, no lights on the dash - except 4WD (which was engaged). It stopped wehn I slowed almost to a stop, and then it started back up a few minutes later.

Since my car is a salvage I have no manual, so I just decided to begin checking things. My fluids looked good, but the oil looked a bit low. I added a half a quart - problem solved!

I'm guessing there would be something about this in the manual. So can you guys help me to feel like my rig is OK - and also advise me on how to get a manual without going to the dealership. Is there a .pdf version that I can buy?

Thanks for the help -- and sorry for the RTFM question.

grady7 · 02-01-2010, 09:20 AM

BTW, prior to posting I did do some searching on the topic, and I didn't find anything. After I posted, the related links did provide some additional threads on the topic, but there's no conclusion. Even looks like one guy took it to the dealer for this, and they didn't know what it was!

**mdm** · 02-01-2010, 09:54 AM

At some point they put in a warning if you drove for over a mile (?) with the turn signal on and if the vehicle moved with the parking brake on. Both of these warnings were present on my wife's '05.

grady7 · 02-01-2010, 10:12 AM

No turn signal.

Pretty sure the emergency brake was off. I think the brake light on the dash blinks if you forget to take off the brake, right?

lander · 02-01-2010, 11:29 AM

Just checked mine at lunch and yes, the Brake light on the dash flashes along with the beep if you leave the e-brake engaged.

BlueFlame · 02-01-2010, 06:06 PM

and a Low Oil Pressure warning will come with a check engine light.

The chime will activate for any of the following:
Door ajar
Key in ignition
Air bag warning (plus airbag light)
Charging system warning (plus check gauges light)
Engine coolant hot (plus check gauges light)
Lights on reminder (plus high beam light flashes)
Seat belt (plus seat belt light)
Low Fuel (plus low fuel light)
Low Oil pressure (plus check gauges light)
Overspeed (in some countries)
Park brake (plus park brake light)
Turn signal left on
Sentry Key 'learn mode'

grady7 · 02-02-2010, 10:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlueFlame

and a Low Oil Pressure warning will come with a check engine light.

The chime will activate for any of the following:
Door ajar
Key in ignition
Air bag warning (plus airbag light)
Charging system warning (plus check gauges light)
Engine coolant hot (plus check gauges light)
Lights on reminder (plus high beam light flashes)
Seat belt (plus seat belt light)
Low Fuel (plus low fuel light)
Low Oil pressure (plus check gauges light)
Overspeed (in some countries)
Park brake (plus park brake light)
Turn signal left on
Sentry Key 'learn mode'

I guess it must have been some type of electrical glitch. I checked every one of those things, and I got no additional lights on the dash. Drove it to work yesterday and today and no recurrence.

Ghost in the machine.

Thanks for the insight.

jkp · 02-02-2010, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grady7

Yesterday I was driving home from my ski trip and my '04 TJ X began beeping at me incessantly. Seatbelts were hooked, doors were closed, no lights on the dash - except 4WD (which was engaged). It stopped wehn I slowed almost to a stop, and then it started back up a few minutes later.

Since my car is a salvage I have no manual, so I just decided to begin checking things. My fluids looked good, but the oil looked a bit low. I added a half a quart - problem solved!

I'm guessing there would be something about this in the manual. So can you guys help me to feel like my rig is OK - and also advise me on how to get a manual without going to the dealership. Is there a .pdf version that I can buy?

Thanks for the help -- and sorry for the RTFM question.

FREE '04 - '10 owner's manual download available here:

My Jeep: Jeep Owners Service Manuals - 4x4 SUVs, Sports Utility Vehicles, Off Road

grady7 · 02-03-2010, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jkp

FREE '04 - '10 owner's manual download available here:

My Jeep: Jeep Owners Service Manuals - 4x4 SUVs, Sports Utility Vehicles, Off Road

Got it! Thanks again.

Zen · 02-03-2010, 08:12 AM

When you turn on the key but don't start the vehicle the dash should be in bulb check. The check gauges, ses, brake and airbag lights should light up letting you know the bulbs are good. What lights turn on for you durring the bulb check?

ng4thraider · 02-03-2010, 08:16 AM

The only thing I could think would cause this is if the e-brake was pulled, or the switch was stuck, and the brake light on the dash burned out.

Is this your first jeep?

Was you using 4wd on a dry road, If so that can be very bad on your drivetrain. Only use 4wd offroad or low traction situations. 4wd would not have caused the beeping, I just wanted to warn you incase you didn't know.

grady7 · 02-04-2010, 09:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zen

When you turn on the key but don't start the vehicle the dash should be in bulb check. The check gauges, ses, brake and airbag lights should light up letting you know the bulbs are good. What lights turn on for you durring the bulb check?

Should have mentioned this earlier. I confirmed all of the dash lights are working.

grady7 · 02-04-2010, 09:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ng4thraider

The only thing I could think would cause this is if the e-brake was pulled, or the switch was stuck, and the brake light on the dash burned out.

Is this your first jeep?

Was you using 4wd on a dry road, If so that can be very bad on your drivetrain. Only use 4wd offroad or low traction situations. 4wd would not have caused the beeping, I just wanted to warn you incase you didn't know.

Thanks for the advice on this. This is actually my 3rd jeep - 1st TJ. I was driving down the mountain from a Virginia ski resort on essentially all snow. I was in 4 HI and 2nd gear - using the tranny to keep my speed low. Didn't use the gas at all for about 15 minutes. I haven't done this for an extended period before, so I initially thought that could be the warning. Not sure if that is a no-no, but it seemed to be the best way to keep the car on the road.

Zen · 02-04-2010, 09:23 AM

Pull the codes from the computer and see if anything was saved. You can do this in the driveway without any tools. Without starting the Jeep, turn the key on-off-on-off-on and the codes should scroll in the odometer, then say DONE. Google the results and post up.

good luck.

Zen · 02-04-2010, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grady7

Thanks for the advice on this. This is actually my 3rd jeep - 1st TJ. I was driving down the mountain from a Virginia ski resort on essentially all snow. I was in 4 HI and 2nd gear - using the tranny to keep my speed low. Didn't use the gas at all for about 15 minutes. I haven't done this for an extended period before, so I initially thought that could be the warning. Not sure if that is a no-no, but it seemed to be the best way to keep the car on the road.

I'd think that situation would be OK.

The biggest issue of course is that we have direct drive transfer cases so they don't have differentials like yuppie SUVs. This means the front drive shaft and rear drive shaft have to turn the same speed. On a straight road they do, but in turns with good traction they don't. The tires need to slip some to let the stress out of the driveline.