Reading Computer Codes

On 1991 to1997 models ( 1984 to 1986 V6 models as well as 1998 to 2002 follow
) you have a way of reading for fault codes which can be accessed without any
scanners like other models by reading how the check engine light flashes.
Start by turning the ignition key to the last stop before it starts, on and off three
times within 5 seconds ending in the on position on the third time, ( i.e. on, off,
on, off then on and hold ). The check engine light will start to flash quickly with
a small pause in between then a medium pause to indicate the next number in
the to digit number and then a long pause before the next set of flashing for the
next code. If all is well you will get a code 55 which would read like this: 5 fast
flashes, medium pause then a further 5 flashes. This is how all codes end with
is this 55 code if you have air conditioning or with a code 33 without and any
other codes would have been before it separated by a long pause. The codes
will remain after this test so you can cycle through it as many times as it takes
to read them. After a problem has gone the code will be removed after 50 on off
key cycles or if the battery left disconnected over night which will cause a code
12 though.

Code Description Most likely reason

Fault in wiring between crankshaft position

No crank signal to
11 sensor (CPS) and ECM ( PCM or computer )
computer.
or faulty CPS.

Battery or power to the ECM disconnected

12 Battery disconnected.
in the last 50 key cycles.

No change in Manifold Absolute Pressure

13 MAP Sensor. (MAP) between engine off and on. Check
circuit and MAP sensor.

MAP sensor voltage too high or low. Check

14 MAP Sensor.
circuit and sensor.

No signal detected from speed sensor.

15 Speed sensor or circuit.
Check circuit and sensor.

Wrong or faulty thermostat. Check also

17 Engine running too cold.
sensor and circuit for fault.

Oxygen sensor or
21 O2 sensor or wiring faulty.
circuit.

Coolant sensor or
22 Check temp sensor and wiring.
circuit.
23 Intake air temp or circuit. Check air temp sensor and wiring.

Throttle Position Sensor

24 Check TPS sensor and wiring.
(TPS)

Idle Air Control circuit

25 Check IAC sensor and wiring.
(IAC)

Injector circuit Peak injector current has not been reached

26
resistance. or injector circuits have resistance

Fuel injector control

27 Will need specialist diagnostics.
circuit.

Evaporative control Fault in fuel evaporative control circuit or

31
circuit. hoses.

Air conditioning clutch

33 Wiring to A/C clutch fault.
relay.

34 Cruise control circuit. Fault in circuit.

35 Cooling fan relay. Check relay and circuit.

Air switch solenoid circuit (non-turbo) or

Air switch solenoid
36 the waste gate solenoid on turbocharged
circuit.
models

37 Torque converter clutch. Needs specialist or dealer diagnostics.

Switch not operating correctly and check

41 Alternator field switch.
charging system.

Automatic shutdown Check relay and circuit. Needs specialist or

42
relay. dealer diagnostics.

43 Misfire. Misfire in one or more cylinders.

Battery temperature
44 Needs specialist or dealer diagnostics.
sensor.

46 Battery over voltage. Check charging system.

47 Battery under voltage. Check charging system.

Check sensor and circuit and for vacuum

51 O2 detects lean mixture.
leaks.
 52 O2 detects rich mixture. Check fuel injection system and sensor.

Powertrain Control PCM (ECM) fault. Needs specialist or dealer

53
Module. diagnostics.

54 Distributor sync pickup. Change sync sensor in distributor.

55 End of code. Trouble codes finished or none recorded.

61 BARO solenoid BARO solenoid failure

Emissions maintenance reminder. Needs

62 Emissions reminder.
specialist or dealer diagnostics.

EEPROM write denied. Needs specialist or

63 Controller failure.
dealer diagnostics.

Flexible fuel (methanol) sensor indicates

64 Flexible fuel sensor. concentration sensor input more/less than
acceptable voltage

Manifold tune valve solenoid circuit open

65 Manifold tune value.
or shorted

No message from the Transmission Control

66 TCM to PCM failure. Module (TCM) to the Powertrain Control
Module (PCM)

Catalytic converter
72 Needs specialist or dealer diagnostics.
circuit.

Fuel pump bypass relay

76 Needs specialist or dealer diagnostics.
circuit.

77 Cruise control system. Check power to cruise control solenoids.

On 1984 to 1986 V6 only models the codes can also be read. First locate the
diagnostics connector which is on the left fender well and is divided into two
sections with six in the lower section ( 3 rows of 2 ) and fifteen in the upper
section ( 3 rows of 5 ). In the upper section you have to run a wire between
terminal six ( first row 4 down from the top ) and terminal 7 ( third row 3 down
from the top ). Then turn the key into the on position making sure not to start it
while these terminals are connected at any time. It should flash the code 12 ( 1
flash, pause, 2 flashes ) three times in a row and will repeat this sequence until
disconnected if no other codes are recorded. If there are any faults stored then
they will follow afterwards repeating themselves three times before moving on
to the next code. To clear to codes remove negative cable for 10 seconds or
longer.

Code Description Most likely reason

If appears when terminals not connected

Terminals 6 and 7
12 and engine running, no signal between
connected.
distributor and computer.

Check TPS adjustment. Check O2 wiring

13 Oxygen sensor circuit.
and sensor.

Overheating or fault in wiring or coolant

14 Coolant sensor circuit.
sensor.

Low temperature or fault in wiring or

15 Coolant sensor circuit.
coolant sensor.

Signal voltage high. Check TPS and

21 TPS circuit. adjustment. Also wiring at both computer
and TPS ends.

Check wiring at M/C solenoid and

23 Mixture control (M/C). computer. Clear code and re-check after
driving.

Check wiring and hose in case of leak.

34 MAP sensor.
Otherwise replace.

Check distributor wiring and pick-up coil

41 No distributor signal.
connections.

Check wire to terminal 12 on ECM or faulty

42 EST or bypass problem.
HEI module can cause same code.

Check for sticking M/C solenoid also

44 Lean exhaust. terminals 9 and 14 at ECM. Vacuum leakage
or faulty O2 sensor.

44-
O2 sensor or circuit. O2 circuit wiring or sensor faulty.
45

Check for sticking M/C solenoid and wiring

45 Rich exhaust. plus charcoal canister for fuel. O2 sensor
faulty.

51 PROM fault. Needs specialist or dealer diagnostics.

 54 M/C solenoid Check wiring at M/C and ECM. Faulty M/C.

Check short to ground on ECM terminal 21

55 Reference voltage.
wire. O2 sensor or ECM faulty.

For the 1998 to 2002 models you can access the trouble codes as follows.
Insert the key but do not turn. Fully depress the trip reset button and hold
down. Next turn the key to the on position three times and then leave in the on
position. Release trip reset button and the gauges will flicker and the odometer
will count down and then show the trouble codes. I have been told that some
1997's you don't need to use the trip button but cycle the key off and on 5
times! Just try one way or the other if it does not work for you. There was also
someone that told me it would not work unless they had a warm engine and
there are a few theories that it will not work after '97 as Jeep did not like people
finding the faults and having them repaired under warranty. I have done some
searching for as many technics as possible hoping that one will work for the
post '97 models ( '97 does still work as does early '98 as above ). These are
from other Chrysler vehicles.

• Simultaneously press the trip reset and trip/odometer switches; while

holding them, turn the ignition to RUN (not start), and wait about five
seconds. This sends the car through a short self-test sequence that
lights all segments of the odometer and shift selector read-out (where
applicable). It will then display the stored error codes.
• Normally, to get codes, you put the key on OFF and then rapidly do OFF-
ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON. Mark Warrington was able to use the blinking
check engine light and the odometer readout after doing five on/ five off
ignition sequences, and if the check engine light was on, on his 4-liter
1996 Grand Cherokee.
• A loose gas cap may light up the Check Engine light! (Thanks, Lyn Clark)
• James Hale's 2000 Grand Voyager has the following sequence.

1. Press the trip and trip-reset buttons that are located next to the
digital odometer.
2. Turn the ignition key to "Run" or "On" and not "Start".
3. Count five seconds or better yet, if you didn't buckle-up count five
chimes.
4. Release both buttons at the same time. Then the word "Codes"
shows up in the odometer, and a self-test seems to take place; I
always get "999" which I assume is the end-of-codes number.
After that, a series of tests show up: "Code 1", "Code 2" and
"Code 3" which test the gauges, lights and LEDs in the instrument
panel, including the trip-computer/compass.

• On Elko Tchernev's 1998 Stratus, where there is only one combined

trip/odometer and reset switch, waiting for 5 seconds will just reset the
trip odometer. To get codes, press the switch, turn the ignition to ON,
 and release the switch as soon as the odometer displays "Check 1". This
causes the computer to go through several check sequences (5, IIRC),
for all lamps, LED segments and gauges, indicated by "Check 2" etc. and
terminated by "End". BUT Al Ward wrote that this only checks the
sensors feeding the instrument panel.

If one of the above please let me know. Otherwise you will have to use a OBDII
scanner like this one or here which you can buy or some places like Auto Zone
will do it for you for free!

Code Description

No camshaft reference during cranking signal detected during engine

11
cranking.

12 Battery power to PCM was disconnected.

No variation in MAP from start to run sensor is detected. No difference

13 recognized between engine MAP reading and barometric pressure
reading at start- up.

14 MAP sensor input below or above acceptable voltage.

No vehicle speed signal. No vehicle distance (speed) sensor signal

15 detected during road load conditions or shaft speed less than 60 rpm
when speed above 15 mph.

Engine is cold too long. Engine coolant temperature remains below

17
normal operating temperatures during vehicle travel (thermostat).

O2 sensor voltage not detected from the oxygen sensor input. Or 02

21 sensor input voltage maintained above or below normal operating
range.

Coolant sensor voltage. Sensor input above or below acceptable

22
voltage.

Charge air temp. sensor. Sensor input above or below acceptable

23
voltage.

TPS voltage sensor input above or below the minimum acceptable

24
voltage. Or TPS signal does not correlate to MAP sensor.

AIS motor circuits. An open or shorted condition detected in one or

25
more of the IAC control circuits. Or target idle speed not met.

Peak injector current has not been reached or injector circuits have
26
resistance
 Injector # X control circuit Injector output driver does not respond
27
properly to the control signal.

An open or shorted condition in Purge Solenoid circuit. Incorrect

31 vapour flow detected. Possible leak or blocked between solenoid and
fuel tank.

A/C clutch relay circuit An open or shorted condition detected in the

33
A/C clutch relay circuit.

S/C solenoid circuits An open or shorted condition detected in the

34 speed control vacuum or vent solenoid circuits. Voltage too high or
low.

Radiator Fan Relay in open or shorted condition detected in the

35
radiator fan relay circuit. ( 2.5L only ).

Air switch solenoid circuit (non-turbo) or the wastegate solenoid on

36
turbocharged models

No speed difference detected at 3 to 4 shift or no lockup in torque

37 converter. Problem with trans solenoid with wrong pressure or voltage.
Speed to trans ratio below minium required. Park/Neutral switch stuck.

Alternator field circuit in open or shorted condition detected in the

41
alternator field control circuit.

ASD ( auto shut down ) or fuel pump relay control circuit in open or
42 shorted condition detected. Or no voltage sensed at controllers. No
fuel sensor signal detected or changed over time at PCM.

43 Cylinder misfire detected.

44 Battery temperature voltage out of range ( too high or low ).

Trans temperature/ Governor pressure voltage out of range. Less than

1.55 or above 3.73volts for temperature and less than .1 or above 4.89
45
volts. Trans temp. to high or low. OD switch input too low for more
than 5 mins.

Charging system voltage high. Battery voltage sense input above

46
target charging voltage during engine operation.

Charging system voltage low. Battery voltage sense input below target
47
charging voltage during engine operation.

O2 signal below centre. Oxygen sensor signal indicates lean fuel/air

51
ratio condition during engine operation.
 O2 signal above centre. Oxygen sensor signal indicates rich fuel/air
52 ratio condition during engine operation or Adaptive memory at lean
limit.

Internal Controller failure in PCM. Internal Controller fault condition

53
detected.

No Sync signal. No camshaft position signal detected during engine

54
cranking.

61 BARO solenoid failure

62 Controller failure. EMR miles not stored.

63 Failure to write to EEPROM location by PCM.

Flexible fuel (methanol) sensor indicates concentration sensor input

64
more/less than acceptable voltage.

65 Manifold tune valve solenoid circuit open or shorted

No message from the Transmission Control Module (TCM) to the

66
Powertrain Control Module (PCM)

72 Catalyst efficiency below required level.

Fuel pump resistor Open or shorted condition by-pass relay circuit

76
detected in fuel pump by-pass relay circuit

77 Malfunction detected with power feed to speed control servo solenoids