Check engine light

[Punisher]

Well I just got a "check engine" light on... so I got home and looked into my repair book and its telling me I can do what I did on my 1991 XJ to get the code but this 1996 is not working...
Does anyone have a 1996 xj that can give you the codes by turning the key ona dn off 3 times and it reads it out to you? I know my 1991 does and the book says that the 1996 is the same way...
I dont want to have to buy a decoder thing...

[modestmar00xj]

hmm i didnt know that turning the key off and on 3 times gives you code, interesting. i have a 2000 xj.

[XJ Rat]

You might try Autozone. I know here in Texas they will go out in the parking lot and read the codes for free. Get the codes as they are reading them and write them down. Do not listen to them as they are parts monkeys and know not what they are talking about.

I have had two check engine lights.
One was the gas cap not secure. Check yours.
The other was my battery overheat module had a short. Wire to it frayed and it was grounding to the body.

[Punisher]

hmm i didnt know that turning the key off and on 3 times gives you code, interesting. i have a 2000 xj.

Doesn't work on the 2000 model, Just 91-97.. thats what the book's telling me and I know it worked on the 91 but I cant it to do it on the 96.

[Punisher]

You might try Autozone. I know here in Texas they will go out in the parking lot and read the codes for free. Get the codes as they are reading them and write them down. Do not listen to them as they are parts monkeys and know not what they are talking about.

I have had two check engine lights.
One was the gas cap not secure. Check yours.
The other was my battery overheat module had a short. Wire to it frayed and it was grounding to the body.

I didnt know they can do that... I wonder if advance auto does it? I have a buddy who's the manager and I trust him... I'll have to ask him..
I hate to go out and have to buy one of those coder things...

[msmoorenburg]

check this out


Chrysler 1985-95 OBD1 code self-retrieval
To fix the check engine light on Chrysler’s vehicles made before 1995, you can get any engine fault code by just using your ignition key. You can then watch the codes being flashed in the dash.


Within a period of 5 seconds, cycle the ignition keyON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON.

Count the number of time the MIL (check engine lamp)on the instrument panel flashes on and off. The number of flashes represents the trouble code. There is a short pause between the flashes representing the 1st and 2nd digits of the code. Longer pauses are used to separateindividual 2-digit trouble code.

An example of a flashed DTC is as follows:

-Lamp flashes 4 times, pauses, then flashes 6 more times. This denotes a DTC number 46.
-Lamp flashes 5 times, pauses, then flashes 5 more times. This indicates a DTC number 55. DTC 55 will always be the last code to be displayed.

Chrysler products common CODES OBD1 (domestic vehicles made before 1995)

88 display used for start or test
11 camshaft signal or ignition signal, no reference signal during cranking
12 memory to controller has been cleared within 50-100 engine starts
13 map sensor not detecting any change during test
14 map voltage too high or too low
15 vehicle speed sensor, no signal detected
16 knock sensor circuit. open or short detected
17 low engine temperature, possible thermostat fault
21 oxygen sensor signal, neither rich or lean detected
22 coolant sensor voltage low
23 air charge voltage high/low detected
24 throttle positioner sensor voltage high/low
25 automatic idle speed motor driver circuit, short or open detected
26 injectors 1,2,3 peak current not reached
27 injector control circuit does not respond to control signal
31 purge solenoid circuit, open or short detected
32 egr solenoid circuit, open or short detected
33 a/c clutch relay circuit, open or short detected
34 speed control servo solenoid, open or short detected
35 radiator fan control relay circuit, open or short detected
36 wastegate solenoid, open or short detected37 part throttle unlock(PTU) circuit, open or short detected
41 charging system circuit not responding to control signal
42 fuel pump or auto shutdown (ASD) relay voltage sensed at controller
43 ignition control circuit not responding
44 battery temperature voltage circuit problem
45 turbo boost limit exceeded-map sensor detects overboost
46 battery voltage too high
47 battery voltage too low
51 air/fuel at limit
52 logic module fault
53 internal controller failure
54 camshaft reference circuit not detected
55 end of message
61 baro read solenoid, open or short detected
62 emr mileage not stored
63 eeprom write denied
64 flex fuel sensor signal out of range
65 manifold tuning valve, open or short detected
66 no ccd messages
76 ballast bypass relay, open or short detected
77 speed control relay, open or short detected

[ice_cold]

I think hes saying that he cant get it to give him the codes with the key dance.
Sometimes you just have to keep trying, its like each vehicle has its own "rhythm".

Myself, I bought a scanner...lets me pull all the codes and run tests.

[Mudderoy]

Ahhhh OBDII started in 96 (I believe) which means you need to hook up an OBDII scanner. Go to your local autoparts store and borrow a reader.

[msmoorenburg]

the 3 key strokes works on obd2 just watch the digital odo :thumbsup: it will say done when finished

[PolarXJ]

There are a few (remainder) OBD I style XJs that made in out in '96 and thats probably whey the book stated that. Most '96 they came out came with the OBD II set up which will require the scanner :thumbsdown:

[4.3LXJ]

Well I just got a "check engine" light on... so I got home and looked into my repair book and its telling me I can do what I did on my 1991 XJ to get the code but this 1996 is not working...
Does anyone have a 1996 xj that can give you the codes by turning the key ona dn off 3 times and it reads it out to you? I know my 1991 does and the book says that the 1996 is the same way...
I dont want to have to buy a decoder thing...

96 is OBDII. You cannot get the codes that way. You have to use a scanner. I bought one and use it a lot. But you can go to some auto parts stores and they will scan for free in hopes you will buy the parts from them.

[Punisher]

Ok guys thanks for the input... I went to the suto store and my buddy hooked up the OBDII and it reads that its misfire on 3 so we played around with the plug wires and tried it again and that solved the problem...
my buddy also says that some 96 and 97 model uses OBDI but those are the years they started doing the OBDII so I got lucky and got the OBDII...
I'm just glad it wasnt anything serious...

[4.3LXJ]

:thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Mudderoy]

Ok guys thanks for the input... I went to the suto store and my buddy hooked up the OBDII and it reads that its misfire on 3 so we played around with the plug wires and tried it again and that solved the problem...
my buddy also says that some 96 and 97 model uses OBDI but those are the years they started doing the OBDII so I got lucky and got the OBDII...
I'm just glad it wasnt anything serious...

I remember reading that 96/97 was a weird mix of the two years on SOME(?) of the XJ's built then.

[LizardRunner]

I'm just glad I have the OBDI 95 model and have a parts store or three that will read codes for free.

[Mudderoy]

I'm just glad I have the OBDI 95 model and have a parts store or three that will read codes for free.

I used to use the OBDII scanner from O'Reilys before I got my own.

[modestmar00xj]

Doesn't work on the 2000 model, Just 91-97.. thats what the book's telling me and I know it worked on the 91 but I cant it to do it on the 96.

thanks for the heads up! that sucks. well i can always go up to autozone! lol.

[4.3LXJ]

I have my own scanner. It does OBDI and II. I take it with me wheeling so if something happens, I can at least know what parts I need. I also carry an O2 sensor with me for a spare just in case I get mine wet.

[Punisher]

I have my own scanner. It does OBDI and II. I take it with me wheeling so if something happens, I can at least know what parts I need. I also carry an O2 sensor with me for a spare just in case I get mine wet.

Smart... my family says they are going to give me money for my B-day so I can my the OBDI and II kit.... whoo hooo:thumbsup:

[may pop]

With all the work you do tool purchase are manditory and helpfull.
Ron

[Weldmen]

You must be a good boy.. :comfort:

[Punisher]

Always :D

[mw14c]

Thing is that OBDII is what is known as Global. Any vehicle built '96 or newer can be scanned by the same scanner. Pre '96 vehicles computer ran were referred to as OBDI and were vehicle/manufacturer select as to the scanner that would retrieve codes. Autozone and a lot of other stores will scan anything '96 or newer for free as they all use the same "global" codes and diagnostic port. OBD stands for on board diagnostics. The thing to know is that scanners only read sensor outputs and if a sensor goes beyond a specified tolerence level then it trips a DTC (diagnostic trouble code) and the check engine light comes on. Could be from a number of things and a ladder of codes will lead to the problem. eg. A code says o2 is lean could be a vacuum leak and not necessarily a bad o2 sensor. Seen way to many o2 sensors changed and not the problem. Hope this helps.