Why would my check gauge light come on?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Akron, Ohio
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Recently, my check gauge light has been coming on. I flushed my heater core because it was all backed up but since I've done that my check gauge light will come on for about a minute when my jeep isn't even up to running temperature. My check engine light is also on because of a evap leak would that have anything to do with it? I need some help!
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,479
Likes: 805
From: Blunt, South Dakota
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6 stroker
Q: Why would my CEL come on?
A: Because something is wrong.
Q: My check engine light is also on because of a evap leak would that have anything to do with it?
A: Yes.
Have the codes read.
A: Because something is wrong.
Q: My check engine light is also on because of a evap leak would that have anything to do with it?
A: Yes.
Have the codes read.
Seasoned Member

Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 452
Likes: 3
From: Duluth, MN
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 I6
For OP, you're sure your voltage is staying around 14 when idling? And your oil pressure is around 30 idling and around 40 when under a load? Other than that, it might be a faulty connection but I can't really say. Never heard of that happening before. Hope someone else knows more.
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Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 14,479
Likes: 805
From: Blunt, South Dakota
Year: 97
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.6 stroker
I think you misunderstood his question, he's wondering why his check gauges light is coming on, not check engine.
For OP, you're sure your voltage is staying around 14 when idling? And your oil pressure is around 30 idling and around 40 when under a load? Other than that, it might be a faulty connection but I can't really say. Never heard of that happening before. Hope someone else knows more.
For OP, you're sure your voltage is staying around 14 when idling? And your oil pressure is around 30 idling and around 40 when under a load? Other than that, it might be a faulty connection but I can't really say. Never heard of that happening before. Hope someone else knows more.
Herp Derp Jerp

Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 18,251
Likes: 17
From: Parham, ON
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L OBD-II
Check Gauges will come on for me when the oil pressure or voltage hits the floor or maxes out. It might come on when the tank is near empty too, I have no idea.
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 464
Likes: 0
From: Muncie, Indiana
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
What do the gauges read when the light comes on? Mine was coming on last week since my battery volts hovered around 9 then bottomed out. Turns out I needed a new alternator.
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 100
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
mine has come on and off quickly a few times in the past, on both my tj's and my 99 xj.
don't know why, i think it is just a loose connection at times. gauges are all good and read normal when they come back on.
i have had to smack the dash in the xj a few times, but i'm not worried since all is working well.
i chalk it up to being normal with these newer jeeps.
don't know why, i think it is just a loose connection at times. gauges are all good and read normal when they come back on.
i have had to smack the dash in the xj a few times, but i'm not worried since all is working well.
i chalk it up to being normal with these newer jeeps.
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CF Veteran




Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 5,841
Likes: 117
From: In the middle of Minnesota!
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Yup, correlate the "check gauges light" to what you see on each and every gauge. One of them is out of whack at that time which is triggering the "check gauges" light.
It's up to you to figure out which one is out of spec. Post what you see on every gauge when the light trips and we'll try to help you.....
It's up to you to figure out which one is out of spec. Post what you see on every gauge when the light trips and we'll try to help you.....
CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
Likes: 100
From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
i should say with mine, my whole dash goes out. tach and speedo drop to 0, all gauges drop too, check gauges light comes on with a warning beep.
sometimes it will all just come back alive, sometimes i will have to hit the dash.
nothing wrong with anything in my system, just the dash will sometimes do this.
this may not be your problem, but if it is, try smacking the top of your dash to see if it wakes up.
if it is only one gauge out of whack, it will tell you why it's doing it. most common is if the temp spikes, it will warn you like that.
sometimes it will all just come back alive, sometimes i will have to hit the dash.
nothing wrong with anything in my system, just the dash will sometimes do this.
this may not be your problem, but if it is, try smacking the top of your dash to see if it wakes up.
if it is only one gauge out of whack, it will tell you why it's doing it. most common is if the temp spikes, it will warn you like that.
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 80
Likes: 0
From: Akron, Ohio
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
My battery loses voltage I just got a new one a year an a half ago but I don't know when my alternator has been replaced if ever so I'm going to start there, it has a tight connection I even put a screw in the connector to make it really tight, it started today then I went out to go somewhere and it didn't start at all not even a nudge my lights won't even turn on sometimes
sounds like you have a poor connection to the battery somewhere. my jeep showed the same symptom a few weeks ago. the connections were tight, but where the cable went into the clamp had smashed down and gotten loose over time. I cut the cable insulation back farther and doubled the bare wire end into the clamp and retightened, in the parking lot at the grocery store to boot, with my 7 year old daughter mad as hell that we weren't leaving. nonetheless, check and double check any and all areas of a connection.
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