Why Would 2014 Jeep Cherokee Check Engine Light Come on After Installing Wiring Harness

Question:

Why would installing the wiring turn on the check engine light? I installed the wiring in my 2014 Jeep cherokee Latitude 3.2L and now the check engine light is on. What could cause this?

asked by: Derek

Helpful Expert Reply:

Installing an aftermarket trailer wiring harness like # 118605 on a compatible vehicle such as your 2014 Jeep Cherokee Latitude should not trigger the 'check engine' light. This and similar kits plug in at the taillights and otherwise interact with the vehicle only at the 12V power connection that is made at the battery.

Many things can cause a check engine light to come on. A loose gas cap, filling your tank with the engine running (never a good idea!) or simply touching the active 12V power wire for the harness to part of the vehicle could cause this. Usually fault codes will take several cycles of the vehicle getting up to operating temperature and cooling back down before they will reset.

If you have a fault code reader you can check yourself or you can have your local mechanic clear the code. Odds are good that if the harness is working properly, once you clear the code it will not come back on.

expert reply by: Adam R