Have you ever been driving on the highway or off-road with your Jeep Grand Cherokee, and suddenly noticed your check engine light come on and you want to reset it?
In this article we guide you through this process and explain what to do when the check engine lights comes on.
First of all, we would like to point out that the check engine light is normally a sign that something is wrong with the engine. However, sometimes the check engine light can come on and there is no problem.
How to Reset your Jeep Grand Cherokee Check Engine Light
Method 1
If you are sure that the latter is the case, here are six steps on how to reset your Jeep’s check engine light:
- Safety first! Make sure you have the necessary equipment such as screwdriver, gloves, and safety glasses.
- Make sure your Jeep is turned off and then carefully open the hood.
- Find the battery and locate the negative terminal.
- Disconnect the negative terminal plug. You should use a tool for this (screwdriver). Hold the unscrewed terminal plug away from the terminal for about 30 to 60 seconds.
- Reconnect the negative pole cable and retighten all screws using a suitable tool.
- That’s it! Start your vehicle and drive around your neighborhood for a while to make sure the check engine light does not come back on.
If the above steps don’t fix the problem, schedule a service appointment at the auto repair shop you trust so a technician can take a closer look at the problem.
Method 2
There is another possibility for the check engine light to go out if there is no problem.
- Turn the key in the ignition until all the instruments light up but the engine does not start. Experience has shown that there is a slight resistance when turning the key just before the engine starts.
- Press the accelerator pedal flat to the floor for 30 seconds.
- Now pump the brake pedal down 6 times at the same time. For older Grand Cherokee model years, it is sufficient to pump the brake pedal down 3 times.
- That’s it. Before you take another long drive, you should do a test drive in your neighborhood. During this drive, check whether the light comes on again.
Again, if the decribed steps don’t fix the problem, drive to you local repair shop.
Why it the Check Engine Light on in my Jeep Grand Cherokee?
There are many reasons why the check engine light in your Jeep Grand Cherokee may come on.
Possible reasons are listed below:
- Loose or cracked gas cap. Tightening or replacing the gas cap may be the solution.
- Faulty or failing fuel injectors. Replacing the fuel injectors could solve it.
- Broken or defective sensors like mass air flor sensors, oxygen sensors, or camshaft sensors. Renewing the sensors will help.
- A lot of stop-and-go driving. Sometimes, the light will turn off when you drive longer trips.
Is it safe to drive my Jeep Grand Cherokee with the Check Engine Light on?
It is not advisable to drive for any length of time with an illuminated check engine light. You should find out the reason for the light coming on as soon as possible. Sometimes the light goes out again by itself, but this is not often the case. You can use an OBD2-scanner to read out your Jeep’s fault code to find out the reason for the light coming on.
Can I reset the Check Engine Light myself?
You can try to reset the check engine light yourself using the two methods described above. However, if there is a problem with your engine and the light comes on again after resetting, you should take your Jeep to a nearby repair shop.
Will the Jeep Check Engine Light reset itself in my Grand Cherokee?
The check engine light on your Jeep Grand Cherokee switches off when the problem that caused it to light up has been resolved.
How much does it cost to get the engine light checked?
The check engine light warns of the problems described above. The problem can be simple or more complex to rectify. The average cost of a check engine light diagnosis and test is usually around $ 90 to $ 120.
The garage will be able to determine the cause of the problem with an OBD2-scanner. This scanner reads the fault code of the car. If you are technically savvy, you can buy an OBD2-scanner yourself and find the fault yourself.
Other Problems with your Jeep Grand Cherokee?
Do you have any other problems besides the check engine light? We have prepared further solutions for your Jeep in numerous other articles (ABS and traction control light or other problems).
