AydenE

Bought a 400 dollar jeep. Not expecting much just want to get it running right 1996 4.0 auto only manifold no exhaust(think this is my problem). My main problem is while driving all the gauges will randomly go to the max and lights will turn off and engine will run like crap cutting out and spiting and sputtering and sometimes turn off. Won’t start unless I cycle the key from all the way off to back on after it happens. O2 sensor? Bad ground?

That Jeep Guy XJMJ

How do the battery terminals look? Ignition cylinder feel sloppy or does it feel solid in each key position?

A bad or faulty o2 sensor cab cause random rough idle and running funny but doesn't explain the gauge flicker and need of key cycle to "reset" runability

AydenE

I was gonna start by putting the exhaust on and installing a new upper o2 sensor then go through and grind all the grounds and wire brush the terminals down. I also figured it can’t just be the o2 sensor

lawsoncl

I would start looking hard at the grounds and battery connections. As ThatGuy mentioned, ignition switch would be common to all the issues too.