Hey guys my CEL came on today its been running kinda rough so it didnt surprise me. But all the shops in town want 1h Labour to read the codes. I know on my 95 Ranger there was a way to read the codes without going to a shop. Any ideas on how I can figure out what code it is throwing without paying the shop. Im not working right now so Im on VERY limited funds

 

Some OBD1 cars like your ranger you can get the CEL to flash the codes. I'm not sure if a '95 XJ can do the same. I know on a pre '96 BMW you turn the ignition on and press the gas pedal 5x and it will flash the CEL.

 

My bad I see your XJ is a '96 you will need a OBD2 scanner. VatoZone will do it for free.

 

My '97 ZJ can still give codes this way. I know, as I do it myself. Turn key On (not start), Off, On, Off, On, Off, On..(within 3 seconds).., leaving it on. Watch odometer. Miles will turn to a two digit number. 55 means No Codes End of Messages. Any numbers that follow will be your codes. Write them down. I think '98 was the last year this worked. I know it doesn't work on my '04 WJ.

 

the numbers on the odometer change?

 

his ZJ probably has digital odometer, will not work for yours. Advance Auto Parts does it for free and Autozone will also read your codes for free

 

i dont have a aap...as i stated in my first post all the shops in town want 1h labour to go sit in my jeep for 2 minutes to read the codes

 

advance auto and autozone do it for free. That's the easiest

 

once again I DONT NOT HAVE A AUTO ZONE

 

OK. If this is for your '95 Cherokee, as stated in your profile, then do this. After doing the steps I outlined earlier, where it says the odometer will change.... Instead of the odo. your CEL will go from solid on, to a series of long flashes, then a pause, then short flashes. For instance. 5 long flashes, then a pause, then 5 short flashes, = 55. 1 long flash, pause, 2 short flashes = 12. Etc. After any stored codes, or lack thereof, 5 long, pause, 5 short=55 will flash to inform you End of Message. It will then repeat. Write them down.
This works on Chrysler F.I. vehicles from '85 up to '98. If they have digital dash, the codes will be displayed in the odo display.

 

If you dont have a single auto parts chain store around i feel for ya... They pretty much all do it...

 

thanks blue i will try that tomorrow morning

 

yeah most all auto parts stores have code readers to use.

 

yea two shops here have'em but they charge 1h labour so it works out to $75 to come sit in my jeep for 5 minutes

 

If you don't get any code readouts, either your problem is a very random occurring electrical problem, or more likely it is a mechanical issue which will not set a code. That is, unless it causes a condition which will eventually set an unrelated code. For instance, if a spark plug is misfiring it won't set a code, but later the unburned fuel could set an 02sensor out of range code.