JohnHuston

Had to jump to start the car (a few times to keep it running with gas) but while doing it the tach responded initially and the speedometer went full max on but then on subsequent start with enough gas both the speedometer and the
tach stopped working. The other dashboard gauges continued to function and still do. I checked fuse 17 (for the dashboard gauges/indicators and it was good. My wife was starting the car while I jumped it and she did race the engine then let off the gas and it died - three times in a row because she can't control the gas flow (with loss of feeling in her feet - neuropathy). Maybe a voltage spike from racing the engine but the fuse #17 was still good. Any ideas

cruiser54

To all users of CF:

PLEASE, before posting technical questions, take some time to help others out, by adding details in the user control panel. There's 2 ways to do this. First, in the upper left corner on the front page of the site, is a menu button labeled UserCP.




After you click on that you'll see this menu:





Please take the time to click on the highlighted sections and fill out the vehicle information for your vehicle. The signature link is also helpful for any additional information like mods done, links to your build or other vehicles owned.

This helps EVERYONE out by informing them immediately about your year, make, model, etc.

These details are necessary for responders to accurately answer your questions without guessing or having to ask what are the specifics of the vehicle you are referring to. You can add these details easily and permanently by creating a signature or adding your truck details to your existing signature.

5 minutes of your time doing this now will save a ton of time and effort later.



Thanks!!!

CF staff
__________________

JohnHuston

Well i tried to do what you suggested but only know it is a Grand Cherokee. I have no idea which of the four types listed (with letters following) so chose the first. Further have no idea of the transmission or front or rear axles.

Cherryokee

I was once where you are now, so...

Please keep in mind that I/we are not berating you or minimizing your troubles but this situation seems like it needs a "tough love moment" so bear with it. Nothing is a "gimme" here, you've got to do a little leg-work of your own if you expect to get anywhere with this stuff.

Forum members will help those who help themselves but many of us will likely ignore those who will not, because we cannot help without these details. Which Model Year is your Grand Cherokee? With which Engine is it equipped? Resources are available on-line to help you identify these important details. You need to enter the first eleven characters of the VIN (Vehicle Identification Number, found atop the dash, viewed from outside through the driver's side of the windshield, alpha-numeric badge in the corner).

JohnHuston

I previously filled in the year (1999 - so why do you ask again) but do not have the VIN number handy (nor was there anyplace I saw requesting that like a blank to enter it on). I can get that next week when we are back up at our cottage where the jeep is located. Still makes me wonder why the instrument cluster would be different between various versions of the Grand Cherokee of that specific year (and I seriously doubt that). I hope I am wrong but I get the feeling you just want to make me jump through hoops.

Cherryokee

Dear John,

I understand your frustration. And please note that this is my second try at assuaging your fears regarding what's needed to help you by-remote. The "velvet glove" treatment is not often needed in the forum but I chose to present my attempt to assist you in this manner because I understand your frustration. As I said before, I was there once too. It is/was not my intent to make you "jump through hoops" nor to have you post your VIN in the forum (for future reference, that VIN thing is just a Google search away). Maybe your just having a bad day and took my message in a different light but please, don't shoot the messenger. Why would I do a mean thing like that when my my only intent is to help? In addition, how would I know that the Jeep/VIN/Registration was "back at the cottage"?

Okay, enough of explaining ourselves, let's get back to brass tacks. Let me take a swing at this because I like to help fellow Jeep enthusiasts when/if I can. Please be more patient as we proceed? Let me review the circumstances on your 1999 Grand Cherokee WJ with 4.0L engine and unknown trim ... cue the Jeopardy music ...

I'm back. I think this condition is less about the instrument cluster (which may vary with trim) and more about overall electrical health, free control of air-fuel delivery and then there's the spark. On these, a few things come to mind such-as a fresh battery with clean connections, a clean throttle-body and IAC (Idle Air Controller) and then, if those fail to produce the desired results then lastly a new Mopar CKP (Crank Sensor) may be in-order. While it will be some days yet before you go to your cottage you have some more time to review procedures, and to collect the needed tools, materials and parts you will need (fresh battery with a terminal cleaner and dielectric grease, throttle body cleaner and soft brush/rags, Mopar crank sensor). Also, allow yourself a couple-few hours to get down and dirty with your 24 y/o WJ. Best of luck.

JohnHuston

Thanks. I do appreciate your sincerity. I should note this 1999 car is just our backup car up at the cottage, but still normally runs great for 250,000 miles on it, and looks great too (due to a number of deer hits that over the years have replaced much of the exterior). Sits there all winter on a trickle charger. Now as to the crank sensor, last year it worked all summer then refused to start despite cranking over easily (at first on its own battery but then jumped to no avail). We had it towed (20 miles) to a local shop in town who replaced that crank sensor (won't fire if no signal from that apparently). We had them do a lot more while they had it, (front end rod arms and ball joints to fix a shimmy after hitting any bump, oil change, new tires etc.) We left it with them for the winter and after they finished with it they even delivered it back up to our cottage and put it in the garage on the trickle charger - talk about great service!). But of interest is the new crank sensor and everything on the dash worked fine all this summer till now. Now the battery was replaced in 2017 so may likely be due for replacement and likely why it lost enough charge after sitting 3 or 4 weeks this summer that we had to jump it. But following that (with Nancy revving the engine way too much on first two tries and she says the speedometer pegged to max on one of those), neither the tach or the speedometer would work, but all four other gauges were fine. I think we will just take it back to that same shop and let them fix it along with putting in a new battery. Still I love to have an idea of what is wrong when I take it to a shop (to keep them honest but I have some faith in this shop - the closest auto repair to us up there). I note that if that crank sensor failed again I would not expect it to start at all and it did. But I may not understand all the functions of that crank sensor. I learned its signal is required to allow ignition, and suspect it may be the signal source for the tack, but not the speedometer.

Cherryokee

Glad to help expand your knowledge. Specify the Mopar part if you want it to last another 200k miles else it's a reliability crapshoot. FWIW I stand by my other recommendations as well. Happy trails!