Hi,

My check engine light came on a bit ago and won't go off. The car is running fine. While looking through some of the posts I noticed a response to a '95 xj6, with the same problem, that said all you had to do was disconnect the battery for about five minutes. I tried that hoping it would be the same for the '96 - but no luck.
Is there a particular way the battery is to be disconnected (I only disconnected the positive side)or is there another way to make the light go out for the'96?

Thanks

Ed

Submitted by dougdwyer@adel… on Mon, 10/02/2006 - 09:29

I agree that no sleep should be lost but the fact that the light is on indicates the on board diagnostic system is picking up a problem of some sort and it really should be investigated. On these cars the warning light is not a maintenance reminder device.

Doug Dwyer
Longview Washington USA
1995 XJR
1988 XJS

Submitted by zurdo_1@univis… on Mon, 10/02/2006 - 08:44

my 2 cents: it could be a maintenance reminder to check a certain component, usually the Oxygen Sensor or maybe the EGR Valve, not necessarily that something is wrong with the engine. I can't say for the 1996, but in my 1984, there is a light that comes on after 45k miles, as a reminder to check the Oxygen Sensor. In my car, this light is turned off and reset by a push-button on a mechanical counter found in the trunk behind the inner-most upholstery panel, where other electronics and the Fuel Injection Computer are located. In your modern XJ-6, I think that disconnecting the battery erases Trouble Codes from the computer Diagnostics memory chip, but does not turn-off the Check-Engine Light. If the car is running fine, don't lose sleep over it and leave it alone, just remove the Bulb from the socket and write a note with the date and mileage when you removed it, saving the bulb with the note in the glove box. But you might as well Check The Engine: check all fluids, (coolant, engine oil, transmission oil, brake fluid, power steering fluid), check the Belts for obvious wear and tension, (WITH ENGINE OFF!!), check the last time the Fuel Filter and Air Filter were replaced, etc.