Had to take my '99 XJ Cherokee Classic through state of NJ inspection today. Didn't give it a second thought it has always passed. This time it failed due to the Check Engine Light not working as indicated by the Check Gauges light being on. Huh? Emissions and all else were fine. There was nothing out of the ordinary going on with the XJ when I went in. Took the now Red Stickered Jeep home. Shut it down and turned the switch on to watch the lights. Everything that's supposed to light up did, then went out. Started it up battery was at 14 volts, water temp and oil pressure were the same as always, tach and speedo working fine. Put a tester on it, no codes past, present or pending. No warning lights come on while I'm driving. Battery connections are clean and tight, oil levels good, antifreeze is good, brake fluid and power steering fluids all good. My garage tech can't look at it for at least a week so I'm turning to you all for some direction. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

If the light doesnt come back on, just get it re-checked seemed like the simplest solution ?

You have nothing to go on

A lot of CEL codes are pollution sensor related, but a lot are diagnostic

If you have a genuine fault, eventually it will throw a code, or give some other evidence (like breaking down)

How long do you have to wait for a re-check?

 

6 weeks.

 

Reading your description, I took it as the Check Engine Light not turning on when the computer told it to. It's my understanding, that as part of the test process, the technician checks that the light comes on to make sure that the bulb is in place and everything is working as it should.

 

When turning the ignition on the Check Engine light does light up. I would have to presume the bulb is good. When driving I've had no warning lights come on and everything was working normally, otherwise I would never have bothered with inspection.

 

Presumably that means you have 6 weeks to observe whether there is a malfunction

Dont discount the tester may have got confused or be a simple ****wit

 

Don't have a 99 manual, and that's a changeover year, but the 97 manual says:

 

That's awesome. Thanks. I saved it for diagnostics. My '99 manual says it illuminates when the Voltmeter, Engine Oil Pressure or Engine Coolant Temperature gauges are faulty. Makes no mention about indicating a faulty Check Engine Light and all my gauges appear to be working fine. My 1984 - 2001 Cherokee Haynes Repair Manual doesn't even mention my dash panel lights.

 

The "Check Gauges" light and the Check Engine light have two separate functions. The Check Gauges light only alerts you to a condition that you can see on your gauge cluster and doesn't trigger the Check Engine Light. Either completely ridiculous inspection requirements or an incompetent inspector.

 

Pull the bulb out.

 

Wait...So you're uninspected now and can't get it rechecked for 6 weeks?

 

No, I can go back anytime.

 

Are all of your I/m monitors in the ready state? Should be on your emissions results ticket.

 

I should have just posted this initially. Don't know where my head was at. But it notes that "Evaporative System" NOT READY.

 

The report notes that only the MIL is faulty. If the bulb illuminates them goes out it shouldn't be a fail. Key on engine off does your bulb illuminate, go off, then illuminate again?