My engine light came on, code P1281 is what the computer read, what does that mean? and how would I fix it?

Hi:
The P1281 code means the engine coolant temperature remains below normal during operation. Usually this is caused by a defective thermostat or temp sensor.

Disconnect the battery for 5 min.then checks if the code is back, if came back you have a problem.

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.

no, it's not the transmission. No monitors for that. It sounds like your check engine light.
When your engine computer detects a problem with it's engine management controls, or when an emissions problem is detected, the computer will turn your check engine light and store a code or codes describing the problem.
Autozone will scan your codes for free. Then you'll know if the light means a major problem (fix right away) or a minor problem that needs attention. When it's fixed, the light will stay off.
You won't know what that light means until you get the codes read. Good luck.

This code is stored when the thermostat does not function properly and it causes the engine to take longer than normal to heat up to operating temperature. So to fix the problem will require the thermostat to be replaced. Have the thermostat replaced and the codes cleared.

P1281 Engine Is Cold Too Long P1694 No CCD Messages Received From ECM

P0700 Transmission Control System Malfunction

For the P0700 I would check your tps sensor first to make sure it is good. This is a common failure in this vehicle which can sometimes show as a transimission malfunction.

Hope this helps, if you want alot more info about jeeps goto www.cherokeeforum.com

http://www.denlorstools.com/autoblog/2009/08/jeep-grand-cherokee-scanned-p1281-fault-code/

Code P1281: Engine Is Cold Too Long

The running to cold to long will put your computer in a limp mode and it will run off set tables and not the best it can. It will effect performance and gas mileage

This means engine too cold for too long Mabie your thermostat is stuck open. In other cases, owners just put a 160 degree thermostat (other features).

To clear the code you can disconnect the battery for a few minutes and the light will be off when you start it up again. You could also just drive the truck.

When the PCM runs a certain OBDII monitor and it passes 3 times in a row the light will turn off, if the problem does not reoccur in 255 starts the code will be erased completely. Each monitor can be run at a different time with different driving conditions, all monitors run all by themselves with no input from the driver. In your case if you want the code to clear naturally you will have to drive the truck from a cold start and drive it until it is fully warmed up without shutting it off. You will have to do this and it has to pass 3 times in a row, and on the 4th time you start it the light should be off if it is fixed.

I hope that helped.

Steve is right on the money. You engine is staying cold too long. I assume you probably don't have hot heat like you use too either.

this code is--manufacturer control fuel air metering