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what else can I check

H

howardusa

NAXJA Forum User
Location
Missouri
Regarding the gauges on my 97 XJ. I've tried 3 clusters (including a brand new one), have tweaked the pins, applied dielectric grease and checked and double checked all grounds. The gauges continue to fail intermittently. There's got to be a short somewhere but I have no idea what else to check. I also get the CEL, airbag light, check gauges light. Everything else works fine. The turn signals flash and work, the cruise control works (even during gauge failure when the light will not come on) This has been an ongoing battle that I am unable to resolve nor am I able to find a mechanic who can trace and fix the problem. I've tried 2 different dealers and numerous private shops with negative results. Any suggestions at all would be appreciated.
HT
 
scorpio_vette said:
has anybody suspected the PCM??? i'm not trying to jump to conclusions, but it sounds like you've had this worked on quite a bit.
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I have not figured out half the abbreviations used here and don't know what a PCM is.
 
A friend of mine is experiencing the same issue on his 97', we have been through the whole dash, had it out and still have not found the issue. We fixed his left hand turnsignal/hazard light issue with a new signal switch but still no luck on the gauges.
 
badboys said:
Have you checked the fuses under the hood?
Click to expand...

With my friends 97' it is a intermittent problem. When the cluster goes out you can kick or hit the lower dash below the steering column and it will come back on. We have checked all connectors, grounds, whatever we can find going to the cluster. No luck!
 
In my 25 years as a ASE cert. tech, I've never seen a fuse be a "intermittent" problem, they are good or bad. The connection at the fuses may be another story. We have traced the problem as far out as the engine bay with Ohm meters and test lights. Its a matter of time before we stumble on it. It does not affect the running of the Jeep in any way but his 16 year old son will soon be driving it so it needs to be fixed.

I'm open to any and all suggestions so keep them coming.
 
I would hope that we could keep this thread going with suggestions until this problem is solved. My Jeep is a great vehicle, runs perfectly and everything works including the sunroof but last night I found myself checking ad's for Chevrolet trailblazers. I did this under cover of darkness so know one would find out..lol.. I would hate to sell this Jeep just because the gauges don't work properly but working gauges are a "must have" for me. Little things like always knowing how much gas you have or if your overheating are or how much oil pressure you have are a high priority for me. Pounding on the dash doesn't work for me. The gauges have a mind of their own. When I test the gauges by pressing in the trip meter and switching the key to the on position the test indicates that all my gauges are working..NOT! I do have a mechanically sound 96 with 78,000 miles in reserve but prefer my 97 as it's loaded with all the extras.
 
howardusa said:
My Jeep is a great vehicle, runs perfectly and everything works including the sunroof but last night I found myself checking ad's for Chevrolet trailblazers.
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oh great thanks. now i'm gonna have flashbacks of the SATANSmobile.

when i worked at the chevy dealership years ago, we had a trailblazer that had several mechanics stumped for months. GM ended up even sending out a "specialist" and he couldn't figure out the problems we were having with the vehicle. at that point the GM techline authorized what normally gets you in big trouble. randomly replacing every computer and control module in the vehicle until the problem stopped.

up until i quit working at that dealership, we never did find the problem with that trailblazer.
Trailblazers are "ok" maybe even "nice" vehicles to drive depending on what you do with them, they are known for to many electrical quirks that i wouldn't wanna be withing 50feet of one if i could help it.

stick with jeeps. their great vehicles and cheap to fix.
 
scorpio_vette said:
oh great thanks. now i'm gonna have flashbacks of the SATANSmobile.

.
Trailblazers are "ok" maybe even "nice" vehicles to drive depending on what you do with them, they are known for to many electrical quirks that i wouldn't wanna be withing 50feet of one if i could help it.

QUOTE]

Thanks for the tip. I noticed the local Sheriff's Department has equipped their Deputies with Trailblazers. They are new so maybe given time some of these gremlins will surface.
I think my Jeep read what I wrote about looking at Trailblazers. The last 6-8 times I took her out all the gauges worked perfectly and no dash lights came on...Go figure..LOL
HT
Click to expand...
 
Have you ever replace the actual dock connector on the dash? There was a TSB for the guage issue quite some time ago. You said you've had it to a dealer, but that dosn't mean they did it.
 
One shop said they replaced the harness with a newer style. They continued to fail and I took it to a dealer who said it needed a new harness but after checking they advised that I already had one. So apparently the replacement was made...Went out today and NO gauges again. Came on briefly then went to zero and stayed there except for the gas,oil,temp and batt meter. They were froze in place and did not move.
 
My 98 does the same thing,If you press on the bezel around the gauges right on top of the steering column they also come back on.Also does it on big right turns
 
How about the ignition switch??????????????????????????????? and the connectors/wires to it?????
 
Ecomike said:
How about the ignition switch??????????????????????????????? and the connectors/wires to it?????
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Do you mean change the key cylinder and check the wires to it? (I'm mechanically challenged). That hasn't been tried yet. I've gotten varying opinions as to whether the key cylinder does or does not have anything to do with gauge failure. Some say yes others say no. It seems to depend on which mechanic you ask. I do know that occassionally slowly turning the key off and on will cause the gauges to work. Also on occasion if I tap the right turn signal the gauges will work. I'm willing to try anything to keep from selling the Jeep.
HT
 
The ignition seems to be the common denominater on my friends 97, but testing it doesnt seem to show any issues. I guess we could just put a new one in and see what happens.
 
xjtrailrider said:
The ignition seems to be the common denominater on my friends 97, but testing it doesnt seem to show any issues. I guess we could just put a new one in and see what happens.
Click to expand...

If he does this please come back and let me know if it fixed the gauges. I already have a small fortune invested in what seems to be an unfixable problem.
 
howardusa said:
If he does this please come back and let me know if it fixed the gauges. I already have a small fortune invested in what seems to be an unfixable problem.
Click to expand...

If I/we/he finds it there will be a write up, you can count on that. He worked on it this weekend but I've been out of town moving my kid to college.
 
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