hurley842002

Hello all,

I have had a Gauge problem for the last couple months, and have tried my hand at fixing it a couple times, I'm on vacation this week, so i'm trying to get this fixed along with some other odds and ins i've been meaning to get too. Vehicle is a 99 Cherokee Sport, with the good gauge cluster (no dummy lights). To give a rundown on whats happening. I'll turn the key into the on postition (to where the fuel gauge, voltometer, and odometer should read) and nothing happens, i'll then start the vehicle (to where the tach, oil preasure, and temp gauges should be reading), the odometer reads the last known mileage before the problem occured, and after about 30-45 seconds shows a no buS code, Then the Check Engine and Airbag light come on. I understand this is common when your crankshaft position sensor goes out, however that would keep the Jeep from running, and it runs great (knock on wood). I also understand that the connections at the rear of the gauges are known to be problematic, I've removed the cluster and checked, cleaned, and put Di-electric grease on them, to no avail.

I've been at a loss, until the other night when I started the vehicle and then unlocked the doors to let my GF in (usually unlock the doors before I start the vehicle), and noticed all of the gauges except the tach and speedo started working, I then messed with the lock switch some more, and the tach and speedo tried to work as well, along with the odometer reading and airbag light went off. As long as i'm messing with the switch, the gauges are working/trying to work, but as soon as I stop, the guages stop and odometer goes back to no buS. Needless to say, i'm COMPLETELY LOST, but assuming there must be some sort of a short in the system somewhere. Anybody know where on earth in the vehicle, the doorlocks would have anything to do with the gauges???? ANY help would be appreciated, and sorry for the extra long post, but I wanted to make clear that I've tried all the other fixes that the SEARCH feature has lead me too. Thanks in advance for any help.



Dan

98 JeepJeep

you have a short for sure...sounds like you have a ground issue and its looking for another source that it is finding when you mess with the door switches....you might want to look at the door jam harness for any broken/shorted wires...common problem!

My XJ did this when my TCU went bad...after i replaced that the dead guage issue never came back.......

HeepSpeed

Yes, doorlocks are related. Fuse #16 in your PDC (engine bay fuse block). Sounds like the "pink wire" fiasco I just fixed since April...

If you know someone who knows electrical - then buy beer. Trace the short. Took us about four hours to find it taking things apart, but I don't have power windows or door locks so I can't help you

fireman0187

I had the same problem my fix was the 2 big plugs under the driverside dash on the left kick plate. They have a bolt going through the plugs and mine were loose so see if yours are tightened. Hopefully that works.

HeepSpeed

the plug for the gauges is on the right side of the pedals and that is a ground for the gauges...turn that bolt tight as well because if loose, you'll lose your gauges.

Doubleajaybrock

Ive got this same damn problem! The first time this happened to me, it had been raining out for a couple of days and I was going through big puddles! I just figured that I had got something wet that shouldnt have been. Not it happen periodically to me!

I'll have to look into this plug by the pedals!

hurley842002

Thanks for all the input guys, There is a TSB on this issue (TSB 08-15-99 I believe), the plug behind the gauges gets caroded and will keep the gauges from working. Chrystler/Jeep produced a new connector that is supposed to fix the issue. Everybody kept telling me to get the plug and it will fix your issues, well me reading further into the problem than I really needed to, assumed that the plug couldn't be the issue because of the doorlocks. Out of curiousity I called the local Jeep stealership, to inquire about this connector. Come to find out, its only a whopping $11.19 total. So I said hell with it, I'm going to get it. If its not the connector, i'm only out $11.19, and i'll have the good connector to prevent future issues. After about an hour of soldering and heat shrink tubing this thing to my harness, I fire everything up, and whaddya know, VIOLA!!! Everything is working fine. So needless to say, lesson learned. Don't read into things too much, especially with electrical. Thanks again guys for your suggestions.

Dan

hurley842002

OH, and Doublejaybrock, you may consider replacing the Connector. Either A) it will fix your problem and you will have the upgraded connector, or B) it won't fix your problem, but you will still have the upgraded connector. Pretty much a win/win situation. Your Gauges and the puddles may not even be related, may just be coincidental. I happened to be installing a remote start around the time that mine went out, and I thought sure thats what the issue was. Let me know if you need a hand, depending on where in Colorado you are.

Derrtydave

My guages have an intermittent problem and I found this post specifically searching for topics related to this.

Occasionally as I am driving my cluster guages will go out. Sometimes they all go out and the "Airbag" light comes on. Sometimes just the Sped and RPMs goes out. I have definitely determined that i must be a loose something-or-other, because sometimes when I hit a bump in the road *poof* they all start working.

I assumed it was a loose connection and was planning to go through the wiring chapter in my Haynes manual and systematiclaly check anything that's plugged or connected for looseness. I may start with what you all have written about here first.

hurley842002

I am definitely PRO connector replacement, after my issue. Like I said early on in the posting, for $11.19 its worth it, to at least try replacing the connector. Chances are, if you keep your XJ for very long, its going to need it at some point. Your symptoms sound exactly like mine, and it worked for me.

Derrtydave

Funny... So last night I started it up and it was giving me the dead gauge issue again. On impulse I reached down under the steering column and rapped my knuckles on the edge of the plastic under-dash trim. Snap! gauges working again.

Reminds me of an old TV set.

Derrtydave

hurley what is the official name of that connector part? I can probably find it online.

xjnutt

I have the same gage problem.
going to try your suggestions . but nothing works ritenow

hurley842002

Dave,

I believe its called the "Cluster connector patch harness" and its in reference to TSB (Technical Service Bulletin) #081599 issued on 05-21-99, the part number straight from my receipt is 5016261-AA. Hope this helps and I hope you get your problem fixed.

Dan

hurley842002

I'm assuming by the title of your post, yours is a 96. The 96's use a different Gauge setup than the 97-01, so you may have a whole different issue.