The check engine light recently turned on inside my wife’s ‘99 Jeep Cherokee. The Jeep hit 190,000 miles and, while many would say this is relatively young for a Jeep, it’s at an age when things just stop working. While I would love to buy a new car or take it to a mechanic, we need to make every dollar count.
I’m not a mechanic, but I have built many computers. After spending a lot of time tinkering with hard drives and video cards, I can definitely say working on cars is not much different than upgrading a PC.
Here’s how to fix your check engine light problem:
1. Ask Google to Identify the Problem
The first thing you should do is look up the problem on Google. That’s what I did to find out why the oil pressure was fluctuating inside my wife’s Jeep. Chances are you’re not the first person to have this problem and there are a handful of people with the same issue. You just need to browse through a few forums to determine if it’s the same problem. If you can’t find the answer, try mixing up your search words because not everyone will type words like “fluctuation.”
2. Watch YouTube Videos of People Fixing the Problem
Once you know what the problem is and how to fix it, watch videos about people fixing it. YouTube is full of these types of videos and I had no problem finding a video of someone replacing an oil pressure switch. This part cost me $50 and about an hour of my time – much cheaper and less time consuming than going to a mechanic. The videos are also helpful because you’ll know what tools are required for the job. While you may never use this tool twice, it’s generally going to make your life easier. I’d rather spend a few bucks on a tool than try to turn a bolt an inch at a time for half an hour.
3. Compare Prices Online
You’ll always find prices cheaper online than at auto parts stores and dealerships. If your problem is not critical, you’ll also be able to continue driving your vehicle while the item is delivered. This is very efficient because auto parts stores and dealerships often have to wait for the parts as well. Newegg’s automotive part-finder is a good start.
Newegg makes it easy to find the car parts you’re looking for.
4. Decide if You Can Do It
Repairing cars can be easy: some parts simply bolt on. But if you’re dealing with a bigger problem, working on your car can take a lot of time and money. I was fortunate the oil pressure switch on my wife’s Jeep was a direct swap and everything went back to normal once I replaced it. But some jobs are bigger than others and I recommend trying some simple fixes before tackling complicated jobs.
Need Help?
If none of the steps above helped you fix the problem, I suggest you invest in a scan tool to find the root of the problem and take your car to a real mechanic. This may not be the solution you were looking for but I guarantee you will learn a lot about auto repair in the process. Don’t worry, eventually you’ll come across a problem you can fix yourself.
Who knows? Maybe you’ll upgrade your car even more than you upgrade your computer.
