Jeep Check Engine Light

How do you feel when you are driving along the roadsides in your Jeep and suddenly you see yellow lights illuminating the dashboard and say CHECK ENGINE? Does it seem unclear and uncomfortable? Don’t worry!

Well! In this situation, if you are like most vehicle owners, you feel your heart sink a bit as you haven’t any idea about what is happening here, what this light means and how to handle or react to it. Am I right?

Calm down and take a deep breath; I am here to direct you straight out of this problem. I know the fear of the unknown is really stressful, but it isn't as big as it seems. 

Light blinking on the dash with the note ‘ check engine’ doesn’t really mean that you now have to pull your Jeep aside and call someone to handle it, but it's simply just a recommendation or suggestion. It means it is just telling you that you have some problem with your car engine and try to check it soon.

Remember! Although it’s not very problematic at that time, if you ignore it, it would probably lead to costly damages and repairs. Just follow my directions and instructions to be safe and secure in this situation.

Let’s start.

Jeep Check Engine Light

Flashing lights indicate a serious problem that should be dealt with as soon as possible to avoid significant and major damage to your car. Jeeps with flashing check engine lights need immediate attention, so bring them in right away.

How to know which indicator is for checking the engine? 

1. There is typically a yellow or amber light indicated by the expression "check engine" or "service engine soon."
2. It may be just an image of the engine or an image of the engine with the words or indicator “check’.

Got it?

Common causes of check engine light

Now! It’s time to look for some causes of the Check engine light; why is my check engine light on? So examine these causes clearly to get more doubts clear.

Maintain your vehicle properly and must check for these below failures in your Jeep. This type of failure can spread or extend to the catalytic converter, the spark plug wires, or ignition coils in the event the problem is neglected or you continue to drive, which could lead to exceptionally expensive repairs if the problem is ignored.

Let’s see!

Misfire

Usually, a blinking light indicates unburned fuel is being discharged into the exhaust system due to an engine misfire. 

• Eventually, it can cause the catalytic converter to overheat, resulting in expensive and extensive repairs. 

Spark Plugs

Is it true? That spark plugs can cause the check engine light to flash? Well! that might be the case.

It may be the cause of the problem. Having a dirty, defective or old spark plug can be the reason for the engine to misfire if it is not cleaned properly.

The Gas Cap is loose.

If your engine light is blinking possibly, You have a loose, broken, or missing gas cap. 

• There is a possibility that gas cap issues can lead to fuel pressure problems and fuel vapors escaping, resulting in decreased fuel economy and higher emissions.

Catalytic Converter Failure

How does a catalytic converter cause a jeep check engine problem?

Well! Catalytic converters can eventually become clogged with material, especially with higher mileage vehicles. 

• An important part of the emission system is the catalytic converter, which removes poisonous carbon monoxide. 

When a catalytic converter fails or becomes clogged, the vehicle's fuel economy and performance will be severely affected.

Got it?

Oxygen Sensor Fault

If your oxygen sensor has been exposed to hot exhaust gas for a long period, it may need to be replaced. 

• Air-fuel mixture information is provided by the oxygen sensor to the engine control unit (ECU). 

In some cases, faulty oxygen sensors can result in the computer supplying your vehicle with too much or too little fuel. 

1. In engines with too little fuel, total engine failure is a possibility, and 
2. in engines with too much fuel, excessive smoke and odor are potential problems.

Flow Sensor Faulty 

Lastly! The other main cause of this problematic situation is MAF.

Mass Air Flow (MAF) sensors can fail when exposed to dirty or particle-rich air. 

• Like oxygen sensors, MAF sensors measure the amount of air entering an engine and ensure that the mixture of air and fuel is correct. 

The MAF sensor can malfunction, causing the engine to misfire, which in turn causes poor fuel economy, poor performance, and potentially further engine damage.

Jeep Check Engine Light Codes

As you get now, what is a Jeep Check engine light? It means Seeing that little light on your vehicle's dashboard suddenly illuminate can be quite alarming, but it shouldn't cause you to shut down in fear.

But! What are check engine codes for Jeep? And how does it work? Let’s see 

You might hear the term "diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs)," which is another way of referring to the codes associated with your check engine light. ECMs, also called OBDs (onboard computer diagnostic systems), store automotive computer codes. 

Your check engine light can represent hundreds of different codes. Since there are hundreds of imaginable OBD codes, there are also hundreds of imaginable reasons for the light, including:

• Emissions control issues
• Computer output circuit issues
• Ignition system faults
• O2 Sensor
• Old Battery
• Bad Spark Plugs
• Transmission issues
• Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
• Fuel and air metering systems problems

How to Reset Check Engine Light? 

If you are certain that there isn't a problem with your Jeep, you can proceed with resetting its check engine light in just six simple steps once you are convinced there is no problem with the Jeep:

Follow the steps carefully as I direct!

1. First and foremost, safety! Be sure that you have the safety equipment you need, such as gloves and eye protection, before starting any activity.
2. The hood needs to be opened after the vehicle is turned off.
3. Take the battery apart and look for the negative terminal.
4. The negative terminal connector should be disconnected and kept away from the terminal for 30-60 seconds.
5. Tighten everything back up after reconnecting the negative terminal cable.
6. That's all there is to it! You should turn off your check engine light by simply starting your vehicle and driving around for a while.

Yeah, all right. These are just a few easy things that can get you out of the problem and help you rest the Check engine light.

Frequently Asked Question

How far can you travel when the check engine light is on?

The problem can be caused by anything from a bad sensor to worn-out plug wires. Your best bet would be to understand the code before planning your strategy. 

With each check engine code having a different severity level, it is usually hard to predict how many miles you are safe driving with the light on.

Is it safe to drive with the check engine light on?

It may be more expensive to repair serious damage if you continue driving with the check engine light on. 

• Furthermore, your vehicle's fuel efficiency and performance will likely be reduced. 
• In order to maintain or repair your vehicle, you should take it to a qualified service center as soon as possible.

What is the cost of fixing the check engine light?

You should get the proper code reading and diagnosis when your check engine light comes on because problems range from a loose gas cap to a bad catalytic converter or oxygen sensor. It usually costs between $88 and $111 to diagnose and test a check engine light.

Conclusion:

Don’t ignore your Jeep's check engine light. While it might not always indicate an immediate issue, addressing this issue can prevent costly repairs and keep your vehicle running smoothly. 

When your Jeep’s check engine light comes on, it could be due to various causes, from a loose gas cap to a faulty oxygen sensor or catalytic converter issues. 

Regular maintenance and quick action are key to avoiding bigger problems down the road. If your check engine light is on, have it checked by a professional as soon as possible.