Why does the Check Gauges light comes on whenever I hit the break on my Jeep Cherokee?

Hi, sounds like your low on oil PLEASE check the oil level.. when you step on the brakes it casuses the oil in the oil pan shift foward and away form the pick up tube.. causing LOW oil prusher causing the check gages light to come on. Low oil or oil prusher well cause sever damage to the motor.. if its not low on oil then the is a problem with the oil pump

good luck

tim

Check the oil level.

Chrokee oil pressure switches are prone to failure. It's right on top of the oil filter. Unplug it and unscrew it from the block with a 18mm (from what I remember) wrench. Install new one.

Also, sometimes folks or oil change shops will scrape or yank the two wires that going to it when changing the oil which will cause intermittent readings.

At hot idle the oil pressure can drop to as low as 10 (13-20 normal), Is it 40 to 75 at RPM's over 1600ish.

Disregard the distributor in the picture. You have coil packs. It is in the same location on your model.

I normally would suggest to check the Owners Manual if you do have it for the Jeep, but a trip to the dealer for just a minute would prove priceless in this case.

I imagine it is cause the oil pressure is too low while the car is running and the dealer would need to look diagnose it anyways.

But we still arent too clear what meter is going to zero to make the "Check Gauge" light come on. Is it the Oil Pressure meters or the Spedo?

Good Luck :)

You had better ask your local Jeep dealer. The picture of oil dripping from the can spout signifies you're looking at the oil pump pressure gauge. Possibly they may recommend disconnecting the electrical oil pressure sending unit at the dealer and they will temporarily attach a MECHANICAL oil pressure gauge to see the "actual" oil pressure at idle and at 1,500 rpm on the tachometer.

Sounds like your engine might be low on oil. Does car have a lot of miles on it and what viscosity of oil are you using. If engine is hot and oil is thin, pressure would drop when engine idles..