02 wrangler trouble code p1281 - Cars & Trucks

Did you test electrical circuit before replacing ?
P0032 Jeep O2 Sensor 1 1 Heater Circuit High

PROBLEM SPEED SENSOR,FRONT O2 SENSOR.

fuel injector fault .Is yours a V6 as this code applies to cylinder 6 shorting out to earth,hope this is of help

It is not always the T-Stat or sensor!

Sorry to revive this old thread, but I have not found this answer anywhere and had to figure it out myself. I Thought it might help somebody else, particularly when a lot of us are not driving as much these days.

Low Battery Voltage, due to short trips (Incomplete charging or weak alternator), may affect P1281 and misfiring too. I have had a random misfires for so long that I just clear the codes from time to time. I might not see them for weeks or month at a time, sometime every day or so. Serendipitously, I was going to be away from my jeep for a week and put it on a NOCO 1 amp Minder/Desulfator/Charger.

When I got back, I cleared the codes and found P1281 which was new. After charging, no new codes have popped up.

So, I started plugging it in every day and my intermittent start up fast idle went away. My temp gauge was not randomly reading low (which was a recent development fitting code P1291)

Misfires never seemed to be cylinders that shared a coil (last time it was 1,4 and 6) Over the years, I had already changed the plugs twice (once back to the factory recommended plug), checked the injector circuits, replaced the injectors. Just before last inspection, I Changed the fuel filter/regulator (which magically cleared the codes by itself immediately!) Replaced the Cam sensor (I had a code at the time, my first one several years ago) It is an I6 and has always seemed rough to me. I chalked it up to being and I6, LOL. But my wife felt the difference with the new Filter/Regulator!

It has only been 10 days of keeping the battery topped off, but with the temp gauge behaving I am cautiously optimistic.

I have read that code P1291 does not always show up under these conditions, So we will see.

I know from experience that my 1998 Ram 360 would not idle after it needed a jump until it ran a while with a foot on the gas. My 1998 ZJ 318 is the same. I chalked it up to the voltage being too low to fire the ignition. But I figured once it was running there would be no problem and in those V8 vehicles I never got a misfire or P1281 code.

When I would get Misfire codes in my I6 2000 WJ, it always seemed to be right around when it would be going into closed loop, sometimes going in to limp mode just as I was trying to get on the freeway, that was always fun.

So IF it comes down to short trip incomplete battery recharge I will be happy, but sad that it hadn't occurred to me sooner.

Hi...Code P1281 means the engine is staying cold too long - check your thermostat. It is possible your thermostat is stuck in the open position.

Hope this helped,

over4dy

P1281
Engine is Cold Too Long
Engine coolant temperature remains below normal operating temperatures during vehicle travel (Thermostat).
P0455 (M)
Evaporative Emission Control System Leak Detected (large leak)
A large leak has been detected in the evaporative system. See TSB 25-001-02. Also, possible faulty or loose gas cap. Note: The respective Powertrain Diagnostic Procedures Manual will direct the technician to determine if the vehicle evaporative system has an external system leak. Examples of some external system leaks are: a loose gas cap, a disconnected evaporative system hose, or a loose hose connection. Remember that the evaporative system may also have an internal system leak. This internal leak may be caused by an intermittent or permanently stuck open Duty Cycle Purge (DCP) valve. This leak source is considered to be internal because any escaping emissions enter into the engine system and not directly into the atmosphere, unlike an external leak. An internal leak may cause one of the above DTC?s. Possible causes of a stuck open (intermittent or permanent) DCP valve are: 1. Corrosion due to system moisture or possible water intrusion into the system.
P0455 usually a loose/faulty gas cap or cracked or broken hose to the EVAP canister or purge valve.

P1281 The engine coolant temp is too low probably a bad thermostat.

Hope that helps

this code is--manufacturer control fuel air metering

Here is more information about P2096
P2096-DOWN STREAM FUEL TRIM LEAN BANK 1

WHEN MONITORED 
With the engine running in closed loop mode, the ambient/battery temperature above (-7°C) 20°F , altitude below 8500 ft and fuel level greater than 15%.

SET CONDITION 
If the PCM multiplies short term compensation by long term adaptive and a certain percentage is exceeded for two trips, a freeze frame is stored, the MIL illuminates and a trouble code is stored. Two Trip Fault. Three good trips to turn off the MIL.

Here are some possible casuses:
Exhaust leak
Engine mechanical problem
02 sensor
02 signal circut
02 return circut
Fuel contamination

Good luck and hope this helps. 

you can usually take to neares advance auto or autozone and ask them to clear check engine light and presto code gone

An 02 neon does not have an APP sensor only a TPS at the throttlebody. Sounds like a bogus code to me.