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96 Jeep Grand Cherokee Check Engine Light

33K views 23 replies 9 participants last post by  kg6mov  
#1 ·
First of all, does the 96 JGC have the OBD system and how do I check for the code? I took it out for a day of light offroading. I was going through a mud/water pit the level covered just over half of my tire. The rest of the day I was just crawling through bumps. I noticed before I left the Check Engine light had come on, I was surprised as I had not hit the frame on anything. Under the hood is really muddy and im wondering if the mud could be making the sensors act up? Or could this be a computer problem? Or an engine, I don't see how it could be an engine problem. I did check the oil and it seemed low, but isn't there an oil light? I drove it home to my house 30 miles away with no problems.


I also have a problem where every now and then the oil pressure will drop to 0 when I am stopped and I will get the Check Gauges Light. This only happens once a week if that.
 
#2 ·
Extracting Fault Codes:
Without ever starting the engine Turn the ignition switch ON, OFF, ON, OFF, ON and observe the CHECK ENGINE LIGHT. The CHECK ENGINE LIGHT should begin to flash a series of codes. The flashes will be separated by short and long pauses. The long pauses separate the "ones" and "tens" positions, and each code from the next. A code 55 will be displayed at the end of the test.

Diagnostic Trouble Codes - 1995 Jeep

11 IGN reference signal. Cam or crank sensors
12 Battery input to PCM disconnected during last 50 key starts.
13 Fault in the map sensor pneumatic circuit.
14 Fault in the map sensor electrical circuit.
15 Fault in the vehicle speed sensor circuit.
17 Engine running too cool.
21 Problem in the oxygen feedback circuit.
22 Fault in the coolant temperature sensor circuit.
23 Air temperature sensor.
24 Intake air temp. sensor voltage high.
25 Fault in the IAC motor drive circuit.
27 Fault in injector driver interface circuit.
33 Fault in air conditioning cutout relay circuit.
34 S/C solenoid circuits.
35 Fault in fan relay circuit.
41 Fault in the charging system or no field current.
42 Fault in the ASD relay driver circuit.
44 Battery Temp Voltage.
46 Battery voltage is too high.
47 Battery voltage is too low.
51 Lean condition is indicated.
52 Rich condition is indicated.
53 Internal problem in module.
54 No cam position signal.
55 Completion of fault code display.
62 Unsuccessful attempt to update EMR mileage.
63 Unsuccessful attempt to write to an EEPROM location by the controller.
 
#3 ·
Thanks for your reply.
I did the sequence again and got the codes to come up on my odometer. In the order they appeared: 12, 52, 51, and 55. I looked on the list you gave me and I don't know what any of those mean. Could you briefly explain please? Also I noticed the list you gave me was for a 1995 JGC, are they the same for the 1996?

Also, how do I go about reseting the Check Engine Light?

Thanks again.
 
#6 ·
Only the upstream one is used for fuel management.

You could unplug it, clean the contacts inside the connector, remove the negative battery cable (to clear the codes) and try again.

Some O2 sensors can be removed easily and some will fight you to the death
 
#15 ·
That’s about it. However, it may be really really hard to remove. They get rusted up in there. Hit the threads with PB-blaster, the day before.
 
#18 ·
its got an OBD2 sensor in it and u can go to autozone to get it read it doesnt cost anything and it would bring up trouble codes if anything was wrong with it. i had an output speed sensor problem and it didnt cause my CEL to come on but i had the computer checked just to see and that when i found out about the speed sensor. you can buy one there too and the best one ive seen is like $120 and it even can tell u how your rpm's are when the vehicle is running.
 
#21 ·
Brewster96 said:
I tried to retrieve the codes for my 96 zj and nothing happend,nothing on the odometer or flashing of the check engine light
That's because you have a 96. This means OBD-II, you need to have the codes pulled with a scanner, go to AUtoZone or any other parts store they can get the code for you...

from my surgically attached iPad
 
#22 ·
You can key code a '96 or use a scanner. 55 code means it is finished with the coding sequence. A 51/52 could easily be a MAS searching for the right mix. The upstream sensor "1 is in the front downpipe and #2 is after the Cat. If the cat is not functioning it will send the reading to the ECU as the downstream sensor. It does not mean the sensor is bad.
The most important sensors for the ECU which can prevent starting is the CPS, Dist cam position (its the one inside the dist-very common problem) MAS. Always check for the 5v supply when the key is in the on position. Also check the ASD relay. It can be switched with the ac relay for test purposes.
 
#23 ·
I'm having similar issues. 96i6 . First I had no CEL. And it would stall out. Figured something with fuel/air. First I replaced the fuel filter. Cause I got it with 257k miles on it. Change air filter, fluids, plugs,wires when I got it. When it started stalling out the idle would drop but if I kept the rpms up in nuetrul it wouldn't die out. Till finay it just started dying all the time. Took the iac valve out cleaned it and the throttle body. Put both back in. It seemed to work for a couple miles the died almost instantly after starting. Unplugged map/to sensors plugged back in. Finally r CEL popped up. As of right now it backfired and dies sometimes but if I start it and let it warm up as well as revving the engine for awhile it drives fine after. But the codes I'm getting are 12,43,72,45. Hopefully someone can point me in the right direction cause I'm thinking about just pulling the iac,tps, and map sensors and buying new ones. Thanks in advance.
 
#24 ·