"HotOil" warning light and warning chimes today.

I headed out with Tom to run Kingston Peak and Yankee Hill today. We hadn't even made it to the trail head yet and for the first time ever, I got a HotOil warning light and all the chimes as well. I pulled over and shut it off immediately. We checked the oil. It was fine. Checked coolant. Fine. Fan - check. Long story short, I turned around and went home.

I googled the problem and found out that it is a warning for the transmission fluid (not engine oil). I called the Jeep dealer and he was clueless. Said they wouldn't be able to figure it out if the warning light isn't on. (So he really expected me to drive it to them with the warning light on):erm:. Google answers revealed that it can cause an engine fire if you keep driving it. Others say pop it into 4-low and the problem stops as it doesn't get as hot.

This warning is not listed in my owners manual.

If any of you is familiar with this issue and can help me to get it properly fixed, I will gladly pay you to fix it! My mechanic can't take me in until August 20th or later.

Thanks in advance! ~ Jackie

Sorry to hear that Jackie. I'm certainly not an expert on newer Jeeps... I'm assuming it's an automatic? If so, have you checked the fluid level, color, smell, etc? If it's real black or smells burned, it needs to be flushed out. Have you noticed any change in the way it shifts gears? Have you had it serviced routinely (as in power flushing the fluid, dropping/cleaning the pan and replacing the filter)?

[QUOTE=Spieg;338321]Sorry to hear that Jackie. I'm certainly not an expert on newer Jeeps... I'm assuming it's an automatic? If so, have you checked the fluid level, color, smell, etc? If it's real black or smells burned, it needs to be flushed out. Have you noticed any change in the way it shifts gears? Have you had it serviced routinely (as in power flushing the fluid, dropping/cleaning the pan and replacing the filter)?[/QUOTE]

That's what most of the stuff I found in google search suggested to do. I honestly don't know if/when it was done. Mine is a 2008. I'm the only owner. 82,000 miles. I haven't done anything but oils changes, brake service and axle bearing replacement.

In that case I think your best bet is to take it to someplace like Grease Monkey or Jiffy Lube and have them do the transmission service (they can do it better than most of us shade-tree mechanics just because of the specialty equipment they have). My guess is your Jeep is due for a new filter and fluid flush.

[QUOTE=Spieg;338324]In that case I think your best bet is to take it to someplace like Grease Monkey or Jiffy Lube and have them do the transmission service (they can do it better than most of us shade-tree mechanics just because of the specialty equipment they have). My guess is your Jeep is due for a new filter and fluid flush.[/QUOTE]

Thanks Brian. I'll give them a call in the morning and see what they say.

[QUOTE=Jackie;338326]Thanks Brian. I'll give them a call in the morning and see what they say.[/QUOTE]
That makes sense to me too. I have 90k on my standard tranny and have changed the fluid in it and my transfer case twice. Tried to have it done again but my mechanic said they didn't need it done at the time.

I have an '07 and the first thing I did was add an aftermarket transmission cooler. I have never experience the hot oil light.

Agreeing with everyone, it’s the overheating trans light. Change the fluid and install an aftermarket cooler the sooner the better. That will solve the problem, having worked at a grease monkey I highly suggest NOT bringing it to them, the trans flush is an absolute waste, you’ll end up either over filled and leaking from the front and rear output shaft or worse. Do it yourself and save money.

I took it to the Jiffy Lube in Evergreen this morning. They flushed the transmission and changed fluid in the t-case are rear diff. He said I can hold off on changing the fluid in the front diff. for a while. I got to see the samples they pulled from everything and could see how bad they were. Hopefully this will resolve the problem. If not, I'll research the aftermarket cooler. (I've seen differing opinions on that on the Jeep forums). I hope to get out again later in the week, so hopefully the problem won't be repeated!

Thanks for all of your input!