Engine Warning Light

[al]

First of all,

Hello My name is AL and i have been reading your forum for a while as i have been looking into purchasing a 1998 Bighorn with the 4jg2 engine, It has 140 K on the clock. It also has the check engine light on.. the dealer says it has come on because he put a new battery in and that he will take it to an auto electrician and get it re set. Does this sound right? i am worried about picking up the vehicle with the light off and then it coming on again of worse still him de activating it and the engine blowing up or something??? What are your guys thoughts...I had a MU for a number of years but never had this issue..Any advice you guys could give me would be greatly appreciated...

Cheers
AL

[geeves]

Doesnt sound right but it is possible. When you get it back make sure that the check engine light comes on when the ignition is turned on and goes out once the engine is started.The same must apply to the oil and ignition and abs lights. Also get written confirmation that the cam belt has been replaced. Also an extra warrentee on anything affected by this could be worthwhile
Can I confirm this is the 4jb1 and not the 4jx1 which came out in 98. The 4jx1 is the overhead cam engine which could of been one of the great engines of this world if it wasnt for a couple of inapropiatly specified O rings. If it is the 4jx1 and has a check engine light on I wouldnt bother seeing if it can be fixed I would just run away Quickly.

[kenny]

Does the MU have a check engine light? I was just having trouble with my handbrake warning light being stuck on and I realised that when I turn the ignition on there is a gap where I suspect an engine warning light should be?
Can anyone help with what I can do to fix it? I can't seem to find any relevant fuses or anything.

[James W]

The handbrake light is also linked to the brake fluid level, check the brake fluid level or the float switch inside the little reservior. It might be stuck

[geeves]

the brake light also comes on for low vacuum which you would notice by terrible brakes and imbalance between back and front This can also show with a low brake peddle but not always. If it comes on when you push the brake pedal check the callipers for poor adjustment and fix as req

[kenny]

I've fixed the hand brake light... I just disconnected the wire to the brake booster and then plugged it back in and it worked.

Can anyone help with the check engine light? ie does the MU have one and if so what can I do to get it to work when i turn the ignition on?
I need to get it serviced soon anyway so hopefully they might be able to sort it out if worst comes to worst.

[geeves]

What model Mu. The dashboard fits several models so has to allow for every combo. Not 100% on this but I think check engine light only applys to petrol models that have a computer. Only the last of the diesel Mus had a computer so they might have it as well

[dxmedia]

Is it the cambelt check light? an orange one with a pic of an engine in? If so (and if it's the same as a trooper) take out the dash, and look for the 2 screw holes next to each other behind the clocks and move the screw from one hole to the other. If it's the same, it will reset the light for 60 000 miles / 100 000 km's.

I had to do this twice on mine to get it to work due to a bad earth.

[geeves]

timing belt light should be a pic of a internaly toothed belt (it is on the bighorn) I couldnt get mine to go out so I just hid the bulb in the glovebox. I know when the belt need changing so dont need a light

[3vilc]

Should the cambelt light self check? (ie come on when you first turn the key on like oil/chg/abs lights do). Something to look for when i buy my MU make sure problems havent been 'fixed' by taking warning lights out

[geeves]

good question One thing to watch out for though is that it has been known to come on at strange milages ie far lower than expected. Cause of this is unknown but frequently associated with scratch marks on the rear of the speedo.