Check Engine Light

[RUBICON13]

I know most of you will know what I am about to write but, this may be helpful for some newbies and not so mechanically inclined people like me:

Check engine light came on my JK Rubicon on Sunday as I was leaving for McLean for the recovery. I stopped, checked my manual which said it would likely only be a major issue if the light was blinking (it was not). Got out and with my limited knowledge popped the hood checked the oil (clean and full), checked the air filter (dusty but generally clean). I shook out a lot of the dust and replaced. Checked the radiator fluid ( little watery but probably not a reason for the check engine light). Checked all the spark plug connections (snug). Finally remembered that a loose gas cap could potentially cause such a light. My gas cap is a locking one so I just went over and spun it and made sure it was on tight. Got back in the Jeep, turned it back on, and the light came back on. Decided to garage it and drive my truck rather than take the chance of doing some harm to my baby.

Took it into to the Jeep dealership (Okotoks) this morning hoping they would just hook it up to a portable code reader and we could go from there. Have done this before at other dealerships and they are happy to do it for free. After all it is good PR and they usually get the work order for it after that. This dealearship wanted to charge me $144 to do a 'necessary full diagnostic'. Yes, that's right $144!!! I walked out (disgusted).

Went down the road to where I get the oil changed on all of my vehicles. He pulled out a portable code reader and read the code to be a vacuum seal or something like that. He suggested I check the gas cap for built up pressure. This time I actually removed the gas cap and put it back on. Light is gone!!! Thank you helpful, reasonable business owner!!!

Moral of the story: I need to learn more about my Jeep and simple mechanical things like this (thank you all for your adivce yesterday on the recovery regarding the issue), never ever go to the Jeep dealership in Okotoks again!!! Next time the check engine light comes on actually remove the gas cap and replace (obviously very simple), continue to bring all of my vehicles to the same oil change place in Okotoks (Can't remember the name but, it is the one across the street from Fountain tire). Yes, he charges a little more but, he uses higher quality parts (oil filter) and he just saved me at least $144. Building a relationship with a reputable mechanic/service person (or any good person): priceless!!!

Maybe this will help someone.

Thanks,

Jeff

[JackstandJohnny]

the dealership is Southridge in Okotoks.

i'd tend to agree with your thoughts on them...

however, don't drag their name through the mud because you were incapable of closing a gas cap correctly. 


especially when you start bragging about how knowledgeable a jiffylube's 'mechanics' are............. and those higher quality parts come out of the same chinese factory. 

glad your jeep is running good!

[RUBICON13]

Jack,

Your comments are noted and I agree to an extent.

However, the cap was on properly (it turned freely when checked as a locking cap is supposed to do when on properly) but, for some reason it malfunctioned (apparently did not allow the pressure to escape properly) during an apparent routine 'test' performed by the Jk on a regular basis (as my research and discussion with several people in the last couple hours has indicated).

Further, I have been to many dealerships that were kind enough and intelligent enough to know it is a good idea to do simple tests for free such as the easy one here which takes 5 minutes to hook up to a portable code reader (which costs $125 at Canadian Tire; $20 less than Jeep wanted to charge me). Since I own a large corporation and several franchises, I know this is the way to treat customers (at least if you want them back).

Finally, I was not bragging the 'Jiffy Lube' (and its not a 'Jiffy Lube' it is a 'mom and pop' organization) guy was all that knowledgeable rather, I was really happy he was kind of enough (and intelligent enough) to offer (simple) great service for free to a (regular) customer. By-the-way he is the only guy in Okotoks that can service my 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage (and the air filter going in that baby is NOT from China), and he thought gas cap immediately when I told him about the check engine light whereas the 'mechanic' at Jeep insisted it needed a 'full diagnostic'. So, who might be the better mechnic among these two?

Peace,

Jeff

[Spinalguy]

In my TJ's you could flash codes yourself, do JK's not allow this? (Turn key on/off 5 times without starting it and watch the codes the odometer will throw off)

[w squared]

Nope. I don't believe that JK's do that.

[apeman]

If you can afford that Austin Martin maybe you could buy a code reader? And maybe pick up a FSM and some tools an learn to use em. If a check engine light go your panties in a knot, I can imagine what happens when you break on the trail. 
Last I checked a wallet and a sense of entitlement wont get you far out there.
Just cuz you bought a jeep doesnt mean any dealership owes you anything for free.Don't bash shops an dealers on the site.
.they often help us out in other ways.

[RUBICON13]

Spinal,

Thanks for the advice. I had no idea that may be possible. I spoke with a few Jeep people on the weekend and they did not mention it. I will look into it.

Jeff

[RUBICON13]

Apeman,

As I said in my mottos for this story: I need to learn a LOT more about my Jeep (so I can do some things on my own or with some help from others perhaps on this board). So, thanks for the advice on buying a code reader to use myself (for $125 at Canadian tire which was the source of surprise that they wanted to charge me $145 to basically do it for me once).

The check engine light itself is not what rattled my cage. It was the 'mechanic' who immediately jumped to the conclusion that a çomplete diagnostic' was needed. In my experience a good mechanic would ask some helpful questions and then use the answers to come up with a good solution for the vehicle owner and not just some revenue for their shop. This is what my oil change guy did and it earned my business for life (unless he does something to lose it). This is also what Iattempt to do for all of my customers and it has gained significant praise and a very good income. Perhaps if other business owners would take this tact they too would do far better in many ways (not just financially).

I also fly and have become quite capable of fixing my planes but, that has taken many years of (hands-on) learning. This is what I want to learn from people on this site with regard to my Jeep. But, being a newbie, this will take time.

As far as badmouthing businesses. Point taken. Stupid newbie mistake. My sincerest apologies. It was a knee jerk reaction and was not warranted. However, I believe forums like this can also be used to warn people of places that may not be the best places to go.

Take care,

Jeff

[vantagetes]

My check engine light has been on for like 2 months now! I'm sure my gas mileage sucks but then again when did Jeeps ever get good mileage to start with?

Personally I'm glad you found a place that won't screw you. I won't paint all dealers with the same brush as that would be unfair, but I've been to quite a few and have had many more bad experiences than good. Then the company wonders why they needed a bailout  

I try not to badmouth anyone, but I do know that if I get hosed I make a point of never giving them any more business! On the same note, if I find a place that is honest and goes the extra mile I always try to go to them first with my money.

[Tyn Pow]

which costs $125 at Canadian Tire;

Princess Auto has them too, I picked up one on sale for 30 bucks and it works great for reading and clearing codes and has come in handy more than once.

Also, Auto Value (maybe others too?) will scan your rig for free - I've gone there a few times before I bought the reader and they were always helpful

[RUBICON13]

Thanks everyone for your advice. I am learning from you guys everyday! I hope I can return the favour some day.

Jeff

[Raspberry]

Yah I'd highly recommend picking up one of the simple orange OBDII code readers from Princess. They're usually $70 but they do put them on sale for 1/2 price every now and then, that's when I picked one up, great bargain! Found out that I'm throwing codes even though my check engine light isn't on (pretty sure the place where I got the Jeep just removed the bulb behind the dash, shady fuckers).

[JackstandJohnny]

the key dance doesn't work in JKs. i just tried it on our JK

to bad. stupid jeep.  i will show you what i mean by 'key dance' on saturday Jeff. it would have saved you a whole hell of a lot of headache.  you can blame jeep for that in general.  just wondering does your manual not say to check the gas cap?  on nicoles last TJ, it said to check that first!


now that you know, ask a question on here first. there's lots of JK geeks that will probably be able to answer your question before taking it to a stealership.  and offer a simple solution.

also is your mom and pop shop behind Fountain tire, or is it literally the oil change place almost on the train tracks?  if i recall, there is a small 4x4 shop in that direct area.....

[TL-Iguana]

the key dance doesn't work in JKs. i just tried it on our JK

Has never worked on my '01 XJ either... Ended up getting a bluetooth reader that I pair to my blackberry to clear the inevitable EGR leak code it keeps throwing. Ive kinda gotten used to the fact that as long as the lights on, it means the engines still installed and the computer works 

[RUBICON13]

Thanks again everyone for your advice.

I do normally ask questions here on the board before making a decision or talk to people directly. This time I asked the question of fellow CJA people on Sunday during the recovery and they all gave me good advice. The gas cap came up but I mentioned I checked it and it was on properly. I did not realize at the time that you may need to actually remove it. Many years ago another vehicle I had had a check engine light and I discovered the gas cap was not on all the way (not sealed) and when I turned it all the way the light went off because it closed the seal. So, this time I thought the seal was good becasue the cap was on properly. Ironically it turned out to be the opposite problem this time (the gasses were being allowed to escape as needed). Ultimately we agreed that dealerships usually will give a helping hand by doing a quick code check to determine the problem for free and then go from there. I should have included this information in my first post. This expectation (perhaps unrealistic but, has also been my experience in the past) lead to my surprise at their response of the need for a full diagnostic at $145 when I knew from discussion with others and my research before going to the dealership that I could buy a code reader for $125, and now thanks to your advice for even less).

Anyway, I look forward to meeting more of you guys this weekend and lerning from you (driving and mechanically).

Take care,

Jeff