Darryl Wright

Hello,

I have a stock 1997 Cherokee Sport 6 cylinder automatic transmission 4x4 with about 130,000 miles. I have not modified this vehicle in any way and the truck runs good. The vehicle has very little to no rust and is not used off road. (I know a waste)

I have been having an issue with the Temperature gauge and A/C shutting off and the check engine light coming on.

When I am driving everything is fine until at random times the temp gauge will drop or max out, check gauges light comes on, and the AC will start blowing hot. Then just as sudden as it happens everything goes back to normal with a check engine light on.

I have watched a lot of videos on the temp gauge problems and have checked all the grounds in the engine compartment. I have checked the grounds in the cabin under the dash. I also took the cluster out and checked the plugs and cleaned everything with circuit cleaner. Grounds are good at the cluster.

I have replaced the temperature sensor twice with no effect, checked the wires and they pin out fine.

Ran the self diagnosis on the cluster and it works fine with no codes.

Here are the conditions I find trigger the malfunction:
Getting onto the freeway using a clover leaf will trigger the gauges to go in the direction of the turn and then return once you exit the on ramp.
Just driving and it will happen randomly as well but not often.
I have recently discovered that if I am in drive in my driveway not moving and shift into neutral the event will happen.
If I am in my driveway not moving and in drive and shift into reverse it will happen.
If I am in my driveway not moving and in drive and shift into Park it will happen but rarely.
I have tried to keep the button pushed on the shifter and slide the shifter around to try to see if there is a bad section that trips the event but cant really tell anything from this.

Is there a sensor or something on the shifter that maybe messing up the grounds or possibly the CAN signal that may be messing with the cluster? Are there any electronics in the transmission on a 97?

Any help would be appreciated as I can only find cluster issue solutions for the grounds at the cluster or changing the temp sensor, both of which have not worked for me.

Tsaani97xj

I would suspect worn motor/trans mounts and a pinched or scuffed wire shorting when the engine moves. You say the problem occurs more frequently when going around a turn or shifting between R N D. All these have in common is the engine moving. It could also be this movement puts strain on a connector and opening the circuit causing your symptoms. Intermittent electrical is not very fun to diagnose.