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Chrysler Sebring JXI 1996 - Service Engine Soon light

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Dominique Bordereaux

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Jan 14, 2002, 1:01:16 AM1/14/02
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Hi,


my 'Service Engine Soon' light now shines whenever I take my car. I
learned that it was so because the computer on board detected something.
I caught the error codes thanks the ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON technique and they
were: 12 - 21.
Chrysler 1996 => ODB version == ODB-II

Browsing the web, I caught two interpretations 1st one

12 means
Fault Codes Erased. Battery input to PCM disconnected. Trans Unlock
Relay Circuit
Power lost to PCM during last 50 key-on cycles (PCM - Powertrain
Control Module, the on-board computer that controls engine and drive
train)

21 means
* Upstream oxygen sensor voltage is shorted to ground. * Upstream
oxygen sensor voltage is shorted to voltage. * Upstream oxygen sensor
was slow to respond. * Upstream oxygen sensor stays at center. *
Upstream oxygen sensor heater has failed. * Downstream oxygen sensor
voltage is shorted to ground. * Downstream oxygen sensor voltage is
shorted to voltage. * Downstream oxygen sensor was slow to respond. *
Downstream oxygen sensor stays at center. * Downstream oxygen sensor
heater has failed. * Distributer pickup coil circuit.


2nd one:
12 Open or shorted condition detected in the evaporative purge solenoid
control circuit
21 Engine coolant temperature remains below normal operating
temperatures during ve[???]

I've got 2 questions:
- which interpretation is the right one? - how 'soon' should I visit my
garage?
In fact, I have a revision in one month.

Thanks in advance for your insight,


--
Dominique

Kamen Guentchev

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Jan 14, 2002, 5:17:54 PM1/14/02
to
In article <220c3349.02011...@posting.google.com>,
dbord...@netscape.net says...

>my 'Service Engine Soon' light now shines whenever I take my car. I
>learned that it was so because the computer on board detected something.
>I caught the error codes thanks the ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON technique and they
>were: 12 - 21.
>Chrysler 1996 => ODB version == ODB-II
>
[...]

>
>I've got 2 questions:
> - which interpretation is the right one? - how 'soon' should I visit my
> garage?
> In fact, I have a revision in one month.
>
>Thanks in advance for your insight,

If the car is OBD-II certified (1996 Chrylser should be) then the PCM should
be read with a OBD-II scan tool. I don't know why there would be any other way
(e.g. flashing lights) but especially after the confusion you are describing I
would stick to what is known to work.
If you don't feel confident working on your car you may as well take it to the
shop and have it looked at. If you just want to read the codes (and you can't
borrow a tool from anyone) there are code readers (check out JC Whitney) for
under $50. If you want a full-featured OBD-II Scan tool there are several
PC-based solutions (and some PDA-based ones) on the Internet, a search would
reveal most. I can point you to a free software for that but you'd still need
the protocol interface (http://www.guentchev.com/OBD-II/)
Either way do not delay your decision because it may cost you more if you wait
too long.
Kamen

D Quacker

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Jan 14, 2002, 8:46:21 PM1/14/02
to
>my 'Service Engine Soon' light now shines whenever I take my car. I
>learned that it was so because the computer on board detected something.
>I caught the error codes thanks the ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON technique and they
>were: 12 - 21.

I don't see where you are getting this from. A 1996 model has OBD II, and you
should not be able to get codes in this fashion. Even if you are, these are
meaningless; OBD II codes are always four digits. You really need a scan tool
to find out what your real problem is. Also, this model is a hybrid of
Chrysler and Mitsubishi engine management systems. The scan tool connector has
two connectors in series, one to go into the 16-pin OBD-II connector, the other
to go to the Mitsu connector.

Robert Hancock

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Jan 15, 2002, 12:19:55 AM1/15/02
to
Apparently some Chryslers are a bit unusual in this respect - you can read
both OBD II codes with a scan tool AND the old OBD I codes with the
key-flicking method..

--
Robert Hancock Saskatoon, SK, Canada
To email, remove "nospam" from hanc...@nospamshaw.ca
Home Page: http://www.roberthancock.com/


"D Quacker" <dqua...@aol.com> wrote in message
news:20020114204621...@mb-mw.aol.com...

D Quacker

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Jan 15, 2002, 12:39:52 AM1/15/02
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>Apparently some Chryslers are a bit unusual in this respect - you can read
>both OBD II codes with a scan tool AND the old OBD I codes with the
>key-flicking method..

Interesting, but surely irrelevant. Maybe when no one else is looking I will
try it on one.

D Quacker

unread,
Jan 15, 2002, 9:37:11 PM1/15/02
to
>I don't see where you are getting this from. A 1996 model has OBD II, and
>you
>should not be able to get codes in this fashion. Even if you are, these are
>meaningless; OBD II codes are always four digits. You really need a scan
>tool

An update on this one: since a couple of intelligent sounding people said you
can, I researched the matter, having a slow day and some spare time on my
hands, and I found out you CAN get codes in this fashion. 12 means power
disconnected at some point, and 21 is for rear bank oxygen sensor staying at
center. This corresponds to P0134 when using a scan tool. I never bothered to
check before, having the right equipment to start with, but it is interesting.

D Quacker

unread,
Jan 15, 2002, 9:38:17 PM1/15/02
to

It turns out you can.

Gerhard Mueller

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Jan 19, 2002, 6:22:41 AM1/19/02
to
On 14 Jan 2002 22:17:54 GMT, Kamen Guentchev wrote about Re: Chrysler Sebring JXI 1996 - Service Engine Soon light:
> In article <220c3349.02011...@posting.google.com>,
> dbord...@netscape.net says...
> >my 'Service Engine Soon' light now shines whenever I take my car. I
> >learned that it was so because the computer on board detected something.
> >I caught the error codes thanks the ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON technique and they
> >were: 12 - 21.
> >Chrysler 1996 => ODB version == ODB-II
> >
> [...]

> >
> >I've got 2 questions:
> > - which interpretation is the right one? - how 'soon' should I visit my
> > garage?
> > In fact, I have a revision in one month.
> >
> >Thanks in advance for your insight,
>
> If the car is OBD-II certified (1996 Chrylser should be) then the PCM should
> be read with a OBD-II scan tool. I don't know why there would be any other way
> (e.g. flashing lights) but especially after the confusion you are describing I
> would stick to what is known to work.
> If you don't feel confident working on your car you may as well take it to the
> shop and have it looked at. If you just want to read the codes (and you can't
> borrow a tool from anyone) there are code readers (check out JC Whitney) for
> under $50. If you want a full-featured OBD-II Scan tool there are several
> PC-based solutions (and some PDA-based ones) on the Internet, a search would
> reveal most. I can point you to a free software for that but you'd still need
> the protocol interface (http://www.guentchev.com/OBD-II/)
> Either way do not delay your decision because it may cost you more if you wait
> too long.
> Kamen
>
Although Mr. Guentchev likes to make a fight with me I can point you
to http://www.obd-2.com where is also free software available.
In the opposite to Mr. Guentchev I dont sell anything in the USA.

From Germany
Gerhard Müller

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