What Does the Check Engine Light Mean?
One of the most ordinarily misunderstood lights or indicators in your Jeep Wrangler 4xe is the check engine light. The check engine light is part of the important onboard diagnostics system, and displays in a wide range of different ways. It can say "Check Engine", it can be a symbol of an engine, it can even be a combination of both. This light illuminates in either an amber or red color and is part of the diagnostics system found on your car. Onboard computers increasingly have controlled and monitored car performance since the 80s and do a wide range of things for your Jeep Wrangler 4xe. Some of these essential duties include shifting automatic transmissions controlling engine speed, ignition timing, and implementing stability control, just to name a few. With that being said, the check engine light can mean a variety of different things. It can be as simple as your gas cap being loose or as perilous as engine knocking. If your check engine light is on in your Jeep Wrangler 4xe, contact Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Bountiful. Contact Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Bountiful today! Our Jeep service department can support you find out what code is turning your check engine light on or diagnose why your check engine light is flashing.
Will the check engine light reset itself?
The check engine light on your Jeep Wrangler 4xe will frequently shut itself off if the issue or code that caused it to turn on is fixed. For example, if the cause of your check engine light coming on was a loose gas cap, if it's tightened, the light will promptly turn itself off. Still, if your catalytic converter is working accurately, and you did a lot of stop-and-go driving, that may have turned on the check engine light due to the high usage of the converter. In most cases, your Jeep Wrangler 4xe light will go off after about 20-40 miles. If you drive over that amount and the light is still on, you will need to bring it in to Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Bountiful so the light and code can be double-checked and reset.
Check Engine Light Service Jeep Wrangler 4xe
What do you do when you’re driving along in your Jeep Wrangler 4xe and suddenly, a yellow light illuminates on your dash and says "Check Engine". If you’re like most Jeep owners, your heart sinks extremely because you may have specifically idea about what that light is trying to tell you or how you should react. The fear of the unknown (or the cost of the unknown) can be just as stressful. But take a deep, peaceful breath and realize the light coming on doesn’t mean you have to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road and call a tow truck, but it is advised that you get your Jeep Wrangler 4xe checked instantly. Ignoring that warning could end up causing considerable, major damage to costly engine components.
When your Jeep Wrangler 4xe's ECM (electronic control module), which is the vehicle's onboard computer, finds a problem in the electronic control system that it can’t appropriate, a computer turns on your check engine light. This amber or yellow light is usually labeled “check engine” or “service engine soon”, or the light may be nothing more than a picture of an engine, or a picture of the engine with the word “check.”
When the light turns on, the ECM stores an engine code or “trouble code” in its memory that can expeditiously identify the issue, whether it's a sensor or a failing engine part. This code is read with an electronic scan tool that is used by our Jeep auto repair mechanics at Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Bountiful. There are again a number of comparatively inexpensive code readers that are designed for do-it-yourselfers, should you choose that route too. While this code will tell you the issue that is detected, a true diagnosis still requires an experienced professional to determine the exactly appropriate issue and repair it.
Jeep Wrangler 4xe Check Engine Light Codes
The check engine light turning on can be quite intimidating, especially to see that little light on your vehicle’s dashboard suddenly illuminate, but in reality, it is not something that should cause you to shut down in fear right away. If you hear the term, diagnostic trouble codes (DTC), these are just another name for check engine light codes. These are automotive computer codes stored by the ECM, still known as the OBD (on-board computer diagnostic system) in your Wrangler 4xe. There are hundreds of different codes that your check engine light can properly represent. While that sounds daunting, with a little patience, tackling basic diagnostics will give you useful knowledge about your vehicle and will still allow that important Check Engine Light to do what it is genuinely supposed to do: be your guide. Sadly, clear and helpful vehicle symptoms do not constantly accompany an illuminated Check Engine Light. Since there are hundreds of likely OBD codes, there are still hundreds of likely reasons for the light, including:
- Bad Spark Plugs
- Loose Gas Cap or Missing Gas Cap
- Emissions controls issues
- Fuel and air metering systems problems
- Computer output circuit issues
- Ignition system faults
- O2 Sensor
- Old Battery
- Transmission issues
This is why it is essential for someone who does not have a lot of prevailing automotive knowledge to not assume what a code means. If the engine light comes on due to a serious concern, you risk damaging your car further by not repairing the issue right away. When your check engine light comes on, you should get it checked out instantly by a proficient certified Jeep mechanic. Call Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Bountiful at 3854855488 today or schedule your check engine light service online today!
How many miles can you drive with the check engine light?
Since any check engine code has its own level of severity, it is typically difficult to predict how multiple miles you can be safe in driving with the warning light on. If you check engine light is flashing, we advise that you pull over and contact Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Bountiful to support determine if your vehicle is safe to drive in or if we advise a tow truck. The safest bet is to decipher the code and then plan your strategy accordingly. It could be anything from a bad sensor to plug wires needing to be replaced.
What could cause the check engine light to come on in a Jeep Wrangler 4xe?
When your check engine light comes on, this could be as simple as tightening or replacing your gas cap. Still, the check engine light could still be a warning of a serious problem that could cause serious damage to your engine and come with a hefty and costly repair bill. Depending on your make and model, the check engine light will illuminate or blink. A steady and continuous glow ordinarily means something less serious but a flashing check engine light signifies that your vehicle’s engine is in significant trouble and useful service is needed swiftly. If your check engine light is flashing in your Jeep Wrangler 4xe, we extremely advocate not to drive the car and schedule Jeep service today. Below is a list of the most regular reasons your check engine light can come on:
- One of the most common and frequent cause is that your Jeep Wrangler 4xe gas cap is loose, broken or missing. The gas cap for your Jeep Wrangler 4xe serves various purposes. It prevents hazardous gas fumes from being released when you aren't driving, it seals the fuel system and helps cultivate pressure within the fuel tank. What hits if you have a damaged fuel cap? If your gas cap is old or has a ruptured seal, you can lose fuel through evaporation which will result in more trips to the pump and be more costly. Luckily, to replace a gas cap isn't expensive. If your check engine light turns on quickly after you put gas in your Jeep Wrangler 4xe, first thing you should check is to make sure the cap isn’t loose — or that it's still on your car’s roof or at the fuel pump.
- Your mass airflow sensor (known as MAF) needs to be replaced. The mass airflow sensor in your Jeep Wrangler 4xe is what determines how much fuel is necessary to run your engine efficiently by measuring the amount of air entering the engine. As a part of the engine management system, the mass airflow sensor helps adjust to certain changes, like altitude. If your Jeep Wrangler 4xe is having trouble starting, idling rough or has a sudden speedy change in the position of the throttle pedal, this could be a vital sign of a damaged mass airflow sensor.
- The battery is low or dead. The battery in your Jeep Wrangler 4xe is every important. Without a vehicle battery, your vehicle won’t start, light up the road ahead, play the radio or charge your phone. Today’s vehicle batteries last much longer than they did a few decades ago, and they don't really require maintenance. The price of a new one depends on the type of Jeep you drive, but check our current service coupons and specials.
- Your catalytic converter is bad or going bad. The catalytic converter is a part of your Jeep Wrangler 4xe’s exhaust system. The catalytic converter's function is to turn the carbon monoxide created by the combustion process into carbon dioxide. A broken catalytic converter is normally caused by regularly neglected maintenance, which is why Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Bountiful offers a free multi-point check with every Jeep service. If you have an issue with your catalytic converter and don't get it repaired, your Jeep Wrangler 4xe will not pass an emissions test, show a lack of engine performance and will negatively affect your fuel economy. Your vehicle may run at a higher temperature, too, which can cause other perilous problems from overheating.
- New Spark Plugs or Plug Wires are necessary for your Jeep Wrangler 4xe. The spark plugs are the part of your engine that ignites the air/fuel mixture in the combustion chamber of your vehicle. This explosion is what moves the pistons and makes the engine run smooth. The spark plug wires deliver the spark from the ignition coil to the spark plugs. If your spark plugs or spark plug wires are bad or old, you will experience a conspicuous poor performance and reduced power. In some extreme cases, your engine will have trouble starting or continuing to run. Worn spark plugs and plug wires can cause obstructed catalytic converter or damage to ignition coils and O2 sensors, leading to more expensive repairs.
- Your O2 Sensor (Oxygen Sensor) needs to be replaced. The Oxygen sensor, known as the O2 sensor, measures the amount of oxygen in your exhaust system. If there is excess oxygen in your exhaust system, fuel burns more quickly and your vehicle will be less efficient when it comes to fuel economy. So what hits if I don’t replace your O2 sensor? A damaged sensor can not only affect your miles per gallon, but it can cause meaningful damage to your catalytic converter and your Jeep Wrangler 4xe's spark plugs. The O2 sensor sends data to the vehicle’s onboard computer to determine the explicitly correct mixture of air and fuel that enters the cylinders in your engine. A damaged O2 sensor can again cause a vehicle to fail an emissions test.
- Your Jeep Wrangler 4xe has a vacuum leak. Every Jeep Wrangler 4xe has a vacuum system that performs a wide variety of functions. The vacuum system again helps lower adverse emissions by routing the fumes as gasoline evaporates through the engine. If you notice that your RPM is high in idle or randomly surges, a vacuum leak could be the cause. Over time, vacuum hoses can dry out and crack, especially if they’re exposed to intense heat or extreme cold.
- Issues with any aftermarket items. An aftermarket alarm, exhaust or other item can wreak extreme havoc on your Jeep Wrangler 4xe if it’s not installed correctly. These aftermarket parts and accessories can drain the battery, trigger the check engine light, or even limit the vehicle from starting. If these issues sound familiar, bring your Wrangler 4xe to Jeep and have our team of skilled certified mechanics ensure that your aftermarket items were installed properly and aren't causing any issue. Getting accessories, especially aftermarket parts and accessories, or using OEM parts first place might cost a little bit more but could support you save substantially from having to get poor work and damage caused by poor installation work corrected.
How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?
The check engine light warns of issues ranging from a gas cap that's not correctly tightened to a more serious failure like a bad catalytic converter or a problem with one of the car's oxygen sensors, so it good to get the appropriate code reading and diagnosis. The average cost for a check engine light diagnosis & testing is ordinarily between $88 and $111. The good news, Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Bountiful offers totally free multi-point inspections and free diagnostics, in most cases, to support determine the cause of your check engine light.
Jeep Wrangler 4xe Check Engine Light
A flashing light signifies that the problem is very serious and if not taken care of swiftly may result in considerable and serious damage to the vehicle. If the check engine light in your Jeep Wrangler 4xe starts flashing, that means that the problem needs attention swiftly and your Jeep should be brought in promptly. This blinking light normally indicates a severe engine misfire allowing unburned fuel to be dumped into the exhaust system. There it can instantly raise the temperature of the catalytic converter to a point where damage is likely, requiring an pricey and huge repair. Some owners ask if spark plugs cause the check engine light to flash? This can definitely be the cause. A faulty, old or dirty spark plug can cause the engine to misfire. If your check engine light is always flashing, please contact our team of automotive experts at Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Bountiful swiftly by calling 3854855488. If the problem is totally ignored or you continue to drive, this can spread to the spark plug wires, catalytic converter, or ignition coils which can lead to a very pricey repair.
Is it safe to drive your Jeep Wrangler 4xe with the check engine light on?
This question is not very simple because it all depends on the severity of the issue. If the cause is a minor issue, such as a loose gas cap, it should be secure to drive. This is usually indicated by a steady glow of the check engine light. If you notice a difference in the performance of the car, it could be an indication of a more serious problem. If the check engine light is flashing, this means that there is a serious issue and it is suggested to service your Jeep Wrangler 4xe rapidly. Call the experts at Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Bountiful by dialing 3854855488 so you can describe the issues. Or decrease your speed and bring your Jeep to our certified mechanics as soon as conceivable.
Jeep Wrangler 4xe Check Engine Light Flashing
Although there are countless potential causes of an illuminated Check Engine Light, we know from years of providing Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that there are several typical causes including something as simple as a loose gas cap. Other generally typical reasons for a Check Engine Light are damaged oxygen sensor, damaged head gasket, damaged emissions control part, dirty mass airflow sensor, a malfunction with the fuel injection system, or damaged spark plugs to name a few. No matter what is the root cause of the Check Engine Light, we have the Jeep Certified Technicians and the certified service protocol to isolate the root problem and absolutely repair it as required to restore factory specifications. When this results, the Check Engine Light turns off, and you can leave the service center knowing that your Jeep issue was completely fixed.
Every Jeep Wrangler 4xe was designed with a high-technology performance monitoring system with a computer, and a series of sensors positioned strategically throughout the vehicle on its critical systems. The speedy sensors are continually detecting conditions while sending vital data to the electronic control unit. If the electronic control unit detects that the data is out of factory specifications, the Check Engine Light illuminates telling you that there is a problem. Nonetheless, sadly that is the limitation of the Check Engine Light – it won’t tell you what specifically is wrong nor what to do about it. That’s where we come in; Larry H. Miller Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram Bountiful provides a Check Engine Light Diagnosis Service that isolates the core problem and gives you a recommendation on what to do next from a Tremendously Certified Service professional.