Dashboard warning light test
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Tallinn, Estonia
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I have a suspicion, that some of my dashboard warning lights are burnt out, but I am not 100% sure.
Are all the lights supposed to light up momentarily when the key is put into ignition or do only some light up? On mine, about half are not lighting up.
Are all the lights supposed to light up momentarily when the key is put into ignition or do only some light up? On mine, about half are not lighting up.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Tallinn, Estonia
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
@Slick761: it's a 1992 limited i6 4.0 HO aut.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 6,322
Likes: 6
From: Summerville, Ga
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 2.5 4 cyl.
ohh your check engine light dont work? thought you were just talking about the 4 dummy lights. none of my dummy lights actually do anything, the rest works
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 1
From: Nor-Cal
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: The venerable 4.0
If you cycle your key.. can't remember how many times... you can tell for sure... but if other lights pop on then off when you turn the key on the bulb is probably gone... there's a list somewhere in here, think the tech write up area, that tells what all the bulbs are. If you have dummy gauges I think just oil temp abs if you have it and cel will light up.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Tallinn, Estonia
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Well, I can see what the bulbs are...sort of. If I use a flashlight at an angle to the console, then I can see that there is a bunch of red lights and some yellow ones.
When I turn the key I do see the oil warning light, seatbelt light, parking break light. They light up and then go off.
But a bunch of other lights don't come on. There is some service required light and an ABS light. They don't come on and I am not sure if they should before I start ripping of the dashboard to replace them. Maybe they are working?
And about dummy lights I am not sure, there are dummy lights? On mine all seem to have some icons or text on them (saw it using flashlight).
When I turn the key I do see the oil warning light, seatbelt light, parking break light. They light up and then go off.
But a bunch of other lights don't come on. There is some service required light and an ABS light. They don't come on and I am not sure if they should before I start ripping of the dashboard to replace them. Maybe they are working?
And about dummy lights I am not sure, there are dummy lights? On mine all seem to have some icons or text on them (saw it using flashlight).
Trending Topics
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 1
From: Nor-Cal
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: The venerable 4.0
Dummy lights are when you don't have actual gauges such as oil pressure and volts and temp..... just Googled it... I think battery and oil are the only ones that light up. For mine I really couldn't care less about those lights. I have gauges and I know when something is wrong with my jeep. I also periodically test my sensors to make sure they're functioning properly. But especially if you don't have gauges its good to know if it works. Try cycling your key 5 times and I believe the cel should flash.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 287
Likes: 2
From: Catasauqua PA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by Slick761
Dummy lights are when you don't have actual gauges such as oil pressure and volts and temp..... just Googled it... I think battery and oil are the only ones that light up. For mine I really couldn't care less about those lights. I have gauges and I know when something is wrong with my jeep. I also periodically test my sensors to make sure they're functioning properly. But especially if you don't have gauges its good to know if it works. Try cycling your key 5 times and I believe the cel should flash.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 1
From: Nor-Cal
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: The venerable 4.0
Ok its on off on off on within 5 seconds. Should light up your cel... Catty isn't there always a test code... so if you do it and nothing is wrong it will still flash?
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 287
Likes: 2
From: Catasauqua PA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by Slick761
Ok its on off on off on within 5 seconds. Should light up your cel... Catty isn't there always a test code... so if you do it and nothing is wrong it will still flash?
Last edited by CattyXJ; Aug 25, 2011 at 12:51 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 1
From: Nor-Cal
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: The venerable 4.0
Originally Posted by CattyXJ
I dunno...he could just pull a sensor connection under the hood to make it throw one...if his truck is like mine though, there's always SOMETHING wrong. Lol
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 48
Likes: 0
From: Tallinn, Estonia
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Thanks. I have went out and tried it. The CEL light does light up and I am glad that it is working properly.
Is there a way to trigger a ABS light or the service required light?
Is there a way to trigger a ABS light or the service required light?
CF Veteran
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 2,858
Likes: 1
From: Nor-Cal
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee
Engine: The venerable 4.0
Originally Posted by kusman
Thanks. I have went out and tried it. The CEL light does light up and I am glad that it is working properly.
Is there a way to trigger a ABS light or the service required light?
Is there a way to trigger a ABS light or the service required light?
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 287
Likes: 2
From: Catasauqua PA
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Originally Posted by Slick761
Abs will light up if it is bad. Also I believe it would throw a code. Google engine codes for your year. Did the cel only flash once?


