How would you handle this (check engine light)?

[NAZJeeper]

So about 10 days ago, I was going out to have a beer with a friend, and the check engine light came on. It was already Saturday night, so I figured I'll take it to AutoZone and get it read tomorrow. I go out and fire it up on Sunday, and the CE light did not come on....nor has it come on since.

So on the one hand whew, right......? But this weekend, I am driving from Phoenix to San Diego, and back, about 5 hrs each way. It just occured to me - what if the light comes on halfway in? This trip is basically all through the desert (until you get way into SD County). Plus there are few towns, other than Yuma and EL Centro.

So, how serious could that be, I've heard that the CE light is only for emission issues and not serious stuff, so don't worry about it? (I doubt that)
And since it went out am I just sitting on a ticking bomb?

Thoughts?

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[yokramer]

There may be some stored code in the system, worth a stop at an auto parts store to have it checked.

CELs are for more than just emissions codes

 

[Reinen]

All the check engine light means is that you have a stored diagnostic code. It's like your phone saying you have a new text message and you're asking us what's it about?

We have no clue. Could be anything. Get a reader and read it.

 

[Bobby Hank]

So about 10 days ago, I was going out to have a beer with a friend, and the check engine light came on. It was already Saturday night, so I figured I'll take it to AutoZone and get it read tomorrow. I go out and fire it up on Sunday, and the CE light did not come on....nor has it come on since.

So on the one hand whew, right......? But this weekend, I am driving from Phoenix to San Diego, and back, about 5 hrs each way. It just occured to me - what if the light comes on halfway in? This trip is basically all through the desert (until you get way into SD County). Plus there are few towns, other than Yuma and EL Centro.

So, how serious could that be, I've heard that the CE light is only for emission issues and not serious stuff, so don't worry about it? (I doubt that)
And since it went out am I just sitting on a ticking bomb?

Thoughts?

Every driver *edit* should have a code reader of some sort. As soon as a CEL appears, you need to know why. They are not expensive.
You need to know what it is ASAP.

 

[Pape]

For piece of mind getting the code read is a good idea.
if you want to skip couples of beers you can get a code reader or a programmer that also read code

 

[Heimkehr]

We disregard these things at our peril, Woody. Purchase and carry with you a code reader of your choosing, and follow up with CEL diagnosis as warranted.

 

[DavidES1]

Check engine codes appear when a fault is detected and will disappear after a few drive cycles if it no longer sees the fault. It would be wise to check codes for any pending or stored codes and any auto parts store can do this for free. Did the jeep have any issues when you had the code appear? Misfire, sluggish, stalling, rough running? Mopar vehicles computers are the most sensitive to differences in setting codes and will alert you when anything occurs. If you had no issues with the jeep when the check engine light came on, you're probably safe to drive anywhere.

 

[NAZJeeper]

Update........ I had the code read, and it is a P06DD (Engine Oil Pressure Control Circuit Stuck Off). A search said that it can be caused by a few things, like low oil (nope), low oil pressure (nope), bad oil pump, etc...
Replacing the sensor will cost me $80 and looks to be fairly easy. But do I call a dealer and take it in? (I have an estended warranty I purchased from a dealer when I bought it used a year ago)
Thoughts on how to proceed?
Thank you.

 

[Pape]

You can get more info here
Did you validate the high pressure mode work on the oil pump ?

 

[NAZJeeper]

You can get more info here
Did you validate the high pressure mode work on the oil pump ?

No, I have no idea how to do that. I'll check YT. Thanks!

 

[Pape]

Select the oil pressure dial in the dash and bring the engine rpm over 3k. You should see the pressure climb from 33 to arround 85 psi. If the pressure do not climb go see a mechanic.

Also do not use start / stop until you validated the oil pump high pressure mode work.

If the light comme back maybe you can try to replace de oil filter as it is the easiest of the fix the rest require some level of knowledge.

 

[NAZJeeper]

Pape - It idles at 16psi, and goes up to 49psi when I take it up to 3500 rpms. But it won't go any higher (rpms or psi)

 

[ScottishWillys]

Get it scanned. That's the only way to know. There should be a code stored in the history if the CEL came on but you won't be able to diag a history code. Get the code cleared, drive it and see if it comes back. If the CEL comes back on then get it scanned ASAP so it can be diagnosed further.

 

[hamiamham69]

is 85psi a typo?

 

[Heimkehr]

is 85psi a typo?

I was wondering the same thing.

Granted, my data is limited to the functioning of a healthy 2.0T, but...its oil pressure usually hovers at 18 PSI or so when idling or at steady-state cruising on level ground.

On ascents and/or during acceleration, the pressure will increase to ~49 PSI, fluctuating only slightly and then only as long as conditions (including driver inputs) requires. It's a plain illustration of the functioning of the multi-stage oil pump.

The foregoing seems to reconcile with the content in one of the OP's posts.

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