service engine light came on after I opened the hood... I've heard of this problem, easy fix? or I stare at it forever?

 

If it were me, I'd stare at it.

If you don't feel like doing this you can try removing the battery cables for a min or two and then putting them back on. This should clear your codes, and the SES/CEL.

 

Thanks Gee!

 

that service light is on for a reason. dont ignore it.

 

OP said it happened after he opened the hood.

If it comes back, then I'd be concerned. But if nothing has changed except him opening the hood, it could be just a fluke.

Any parts store should be able to pull the code and tell you what is wrong.

 

opening your hood has nothing to do with your cel

 

Exactly. That is why I wouldn't be concerned unless it comes back.

CEL (or service engine soon, whichever it is we're talking about) popped on my fiance's 98 TJ, showed 3 codes. All were garbage, and meant nothing. Cleared the codes, and still haven't seen anything. No issues at all, not even another CEL.

Sometimes CEL's pop for no good reason.

 

lol if you say so man

 

sometimes when to cel comes on it may not run any different to you but it is usually an emissions issue that pollutes the environment

 

Its not just me saying it, its fact. My buddie used his scan tool in front of my fiance and me, cleared the codes, and they haven't popped again. And its been well over 2 months.

One was an EVAP code, and I can't remember the others.

Clearing them once isn't gonna hurt anything, esp since you can trip a CEL by, for example, not having your gas cap tight. Or having a loose wire on TONS of things.

If it pops again, then you know something needs to be adressed.

Now if your CEL pops and the truck is running like ****, burning through gas like its a top fuel drag car, then yes, get the codes run and figure out whats wrong.

 

I would at least read the error code before resetting. I can get the codes from my '99 by holding the trip odometer button while turning the key on, then off. The code shows in the mileage window, and you should be looking at it the whole time so you don't miss it. Mine read "2.3" meaning an air intake temperature sensor.

 

Forgot to mention, someone here has a list of what the codes mean. You can find it if you search for it.

 

Like I said, a quick trip to the parts store and you'll have your codes for sure, and for free. No missing a code and redoing your work.

 

plus the auto parts store will read it for free

 

yes take it to an auto store and they do it for free