Engine maintnence light, Can't spend $80.00 to find out why.

[woody-wagon]

1074572

Is there a way to figure out why my engine maintnence light is on without paying mechanics $80 to hook up a handheld computer?[addsig]

 

[PASmokeater]

1074586

I would like to welcome you..and hope that we can be of some help.....but we could use a little info first.........

What kind of vehicle are we tlking about here....what is the year, and how many miles ?


These answers will help us get our collective heads together and give you the best possible resolution to your problem





Rob [addsig]

 

[Tug-n-pull]

1074591

Yup all that PASmokeater said. You may be able to get a loaner to hook up at your local Autozone and or use the code system on your dash if your jeep. Let us have some info and you will be better informed. tug[addsig]

 

[jhiggins]

1074631

Here you go guys have at it here is some info
on his jeep from a previous post..."1991 Jeep Cherokee Briarwood L6 4.0L "
hope this helps..... :-D [addsig]

 

[woody-wagon]

1074653

Sorry, I had to work all day on the 4th :-( . It is a 1991 Jeep Cheroke l6 4.0L with 132,000 miles. There is nothing wrong mechanicly that I know of. Changed the oil in the past 100 miles, transmission fluid looks new, electrical system works fine except for the alarm which doesn't arm anymore.

Matt

edited by: woody-wagon, Jul 04, 2003 - 02:13 PM[addsig]

 

[XJNick]

1074670

You have the Bendix/Renix computer system. This system doesn't store any codes. Instead you can only Monitor the system.

If the light you see on reads EMISS MAINT that is a light controlled by a time clock under the dash (gray box). This light is for the emission system and doesn't mean anything is wrong. After about 80,000 miles the timer triggers and lights the EMISS MAINT lamp to remind you to do service items such as replace oxygen sensor. To turn the light off, you either unplug the timer box or replace the timer box, I believe it is NOT able to be reset.

Hope this helps
-Nick

edited by: XJNick, Jul 04, 2003 - 05:57 PM[addsig]

 

[Tug-n-pull]

1074671

Ain't this cool! i knew it was just a matter of time till the answer would come along. I think this is why I am here so much! Answers are abudant! tug :lol: [addsig]

 

[woody-wagon]

1074684

It doesn't say EMISS Maintnence but at least I know it's a Bendix/Renix computer system. That could help. Thanx

Matt
[addsig]

 

[XJNick]

1074706

What does the light say?? Have you tried unplugging that timer to see if the light is triggered by it?
[addsig]

 

[tech_ed]

You can reset the time clock box. It's tricky but doable. The one in my jeep had one half clear so I could look inside and see dozens and dozens of gears. There are more gears in here than big ben. But, you can reset it.
Take a knife and open the time clock box on it's seam. Be very careful to not let the box fly out of your hands while doing this bbecause if it does, well...all the gears will go flying and you'll never be able to put them back the way they need to be.
At one end of the box, you'll see one large gear with a metal tab against it. There is a sloping part of this gear which pushed the metal tab against a metal contact. This is what makes the light go on. When you open the box, pull this gear out slightly and rotate it so that the sloping part of the gear is just past the metal tab and replace the gear and reseal the box. It took me an evening with nothing better to do, an exacto knife and 100% concentration. Saved me $80 too!
Ed
web/gadget guru

 

[Sound_Man]

I have this box under the dash in my 88 XJ. The previous owner pulled the wires or had a shop do it. There are a bunch of loose wires under my dash from other disconnected things. Do you have any idea what color the wire is that is supposed to be plugged into it? Also, how often does this light come on? Is it based on hours running, milage, or both?

 

[XJNick]

The box is basically a timer, it goes by hours. When the box is plugged in, it will activate any time the ignition is in ON position. Mine always makes alittle clicking as it runs.

The plug for it is a three prong plug with (i think) black, orange/wht, and gray wires. (one hot, one ground, one to EMISS MAINT bulb)

-Nick :mrgreen:

 

[Sound_Man]

Thanks Nick! I will look for it tonight and see if I can find the plug.

 

[Cherokee_MZ]

jeeps commonly have problems with the camshaft sensor and 1 other sensor under the hood.... so if ur car doesn't start or dies out on you, or the engine light comes on for no reason..its probably just the sensor. a new sensor is between 50-80 bucks and its not that much labor to put it on. so good luck.. but definitely don't try anything drastic before you check the sensors.