New Member hello & noobie CEL code questions

[Mike Yankee Papa]

Hi all,
Im 25, from New Jersey and I just bought my own car for the first time back in sept. Jeep TJ '97.
I bought the car because I knew it might need some work and I'd get a chance to learn more about auto upkeep/ repair.

Yesterday my CEL came on. I used the 3x on/off trick to get error codes off the odometer but it was very different from the TJ in the tutorial used on YT.

Over the course of a minute I got five different codes: 12, 11, 43, 17, 55 Skimming guide linked above it seems some of these codes are common and not something to worry about. I can’t really understand the meaning of most of the codes since I have no experience with cars outside of tune up work.
11* No crank reference signal detected during engine cranking.
11** Intermittent loss of either camshaft or crankshaft position sensor. CKP sensor target windows
have too much variation.
12* Direct battery input to PCM was disconnected within the last 50 Key-on cycles.
43* Peak primary circuit current not achieved with maximum dwell time
55* Completion of fault code display on Check Engine lamp.
seems that 55 can be completely disregarded and 12 is probably harmless


Tl;dr: what exactly do I need to fix with my TJ?

 

[AndyG]

If you don’t have a code reader I would at least enter those particular codes into our search engine and kind of get a big picture-

That’s a lot of codes, And I don’t know if they accumulated over time but sometimes when I see a good number I start to wonder if the wiring harness isn’t rubbing somewhere or something else is confusing the system-

I’m going to tag @Wranglerfix because he has a very high level of experience and info on diagnostics.

 

[LONGJP2]

Tl;dr: what exactly do I need to fix with my TJ?

Welcome
If you plan to work on your vehicle, it would be wise to pick up a cheap (harbor freight) code reader.
You didn't mention whether the car started/ran.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/crankshaft-position-sensor.10970/

 

[tr21triton]

you can get a cheap code reader, it's a good thing to have.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/4045716802...pid=5337789113&customid=&toolid=10001&mkevt=1

 

[Mike Yankee Papa]

Welcome
If you plan to work on your vehicle, it would be wise to pick up a cheap (harbor freight) code reader.
You didn't mention whether the car started/ran.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads/crankshaft-position-sensor.10970/

Should have mentioned. It does run, just the same as last week and the week before.

 

[Wranglerfix]

Welcome to the forum! How old is your battery? Have you checked the wiring, sensors and grounds? I can test your ECM if you would like to send it into us which will save you a lot of hunting!

 

[LONGJP2]

I haven't dealt with that issue (yet).
Based on the link I listed above, I would try cleaning cables and grounds?
YRMV

 

[Mike Yankee Papa]

Welcome to the forum! How old is your battery? Have you checked the wiring, sensors and grounds? I can test your ECM if you would like to send it into us which will save you a lot of hunting!

I cleaned the battery terminals before winter started. the battery is old. I would troubleshoot step by step: clean them again, buy a new battery if needed and I would be open to sending my ECM if that were necessary. Thank you

 

[AndyG]

I want to add there is a known issue of the wire loom rubbing on the rear stud behind the valve cover on earlier models-

 

[Mike Yankee Papa]

If my Jeep starts up and runs fine (as long as I can tell) would that mean my crank shaft sensor is fine, despite the error?