Jeep Liberty Malfunction Indicator Light

[gadtnd]

Hi, I just found this forum while doing a google search and was wondering if anyone could help me out. I have a 2002 Jeep Liberty and love it. My malfunction Indicator light came on the other day. I looked it up in my Owner's Manual and it could be because I left my gas cap off the other day after filling up my tank. I'm ready to take it somewhere to have it checked out because it's not going out, but thought I'd look around here first. Can anyone help? Thanks!

 

[MoladoGuy]

It may take a couple normal drives before it turns itself off. You could always unhook the battery for 10 minutes, plug it back up, and the indicator will not be there. It will return if you have a problem other than the cap being off.

 

[2003KJ]

It may take a couple normal drives before it turns itself off. You could always unhook the battery for 10 minutes, plug it back up, and the indicator will not be there. It will return if you have a problem other than the cap being off.

Yes, but remember the code will still be stored on the computer's memory, and this will more than likely cause you to fail your state's inspection if that code has not been erased by an OBD-II scan tool that can do so.

 

[indieaz]

Yes, but remember the code will still be stored on the computer's memory, and this will more than likely cause you to fail your state's inspection if that code has not been erased by an OBD-II scan tool that can do so.

Only active codes willl make you fail. Historical codes are there for troubleshooting purposes - but don't indicate a current problem. If he clears his ECU and the problem has gone away the SES light will stay off and he'll be fine. If the light comes back on then he'll know for sure a problem exists.

Original poster: SES lights are trivial 95% of the time. Don't think you need to rush in to the dealer/shop immediately and stop driving your vehicle. Honestly I would head over to autozone (or similar depending where you live) and have them us e a scan tool to pull the codes. If it is a gas cap or something silly like that you can easily fix it at home yourself cheap.

 

[Enos316]

You can also check out this thread for a quick How-To on getting the code yourself and figuring out what they mean:

http://www.jeepkj.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=325&highlight=check+cheque+engine+light

Mine has been going on and off with the cold weather with an 02 sensor error, not sure if its the same as what yours is, but its possible.

 

[gadtnd]

Thanks to everyone for all the help. I unhooked the battery for about 10 minutes then hooked it back up. The light went out. I just came back from driving for about 1/2 hour and the light has not come back on yet. I appreciate all your help and plan to use the How-To information to check the codes out in the future. I'm a single working mother so I want to be as prepared as possible prior to getting my Jeep serviced. I'm sure I'll check back here often.

 

[zahncrelnik]

one time my Malfunction Indicator Light came on while I was driving on a freeway, at about 65 mph..... at first I was going to ignore it. I decided to exit the freeway and look in up in the book.... as I moved to the exit lane it became difficult to steer the car. By the time I got to a parking lot it was almost impossible to steer. I let the engine run, because I was afraid to turn it off. While I was calling for help the engine died. It was over $800 to repair and replace things,... a belt that was gone (that was why I could not steer), a water pump, they replaced the battery.

I got the car used. It had 52,000 miles on it when I got it,.... the original owner had never replaced or repaired anything because they didn't need to ....

anyway, if the Malfunction Indicator Light comes on get to a mechanic and have it checked out sooner rather than later.