Manual Shift Indicator

darkmavis

Member
Joined
Nov 3, 2019
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69
Location
DFW
My DD is a ‘99 4.0 manual TJ. Just curious if any actually shifts according to the indicator on the instrument panel? I find that I can’t even get up to speed with the flow of traffic if I do!
 
I tried for a bit recently. Around town, the light works hard to keep the rpms under 2k. Sometimes I agree with that. Most times I don't.
 
I come pretty close

But me , and the factory engineers differ from most folks on here
 
My DD is a ‘99 4.0 manual TJ. Just curious if any actually shifts according to the indicator on the instrument panel? I find that I can’t even get up to speed with the flow of traffic if I do!
I can in my DD YJ. Its just about perfect. Sometimes I find myself shifting at the same time the shift indicator illuminates without even trying.
 
I hated that stupid shift light, it tries to get you to shift at rpms that lug the engine. It's there strictly to make the EPA weenies happy. I placed a small piece of black tape over mine to cover it up.
 
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I don't know how much running 30s affects it, but mine comes on about half a second after stepping on the gas. By the time I get around to shifting the light has given up and turned off, lol.

Anyone know if you pull the instrument cluster can you remove the bulb?
 
I don't know how much running 30s affects it, but mine comes on about half a second after stepping on the gas. By the time I get around to shifting the light has given up and turned off, lol.

Anyone know if you pull the instrument cluster can you remove the bulb?
Doesnt seem to be working right. Mine comes on right before or right at 2k RPM.
 
I don't know how much running 30s affects it, but mine comes on about half a second after stepping on the gas. By the time I get around to shifting the light has given up and turned off, lol.

Anyone know if you pull the instrument cluster can you remove the bulb?
As one of the previous post states, just cut some tape and place it over the dash...You wont ever see it come on again.
 
Same for me, more or less. But shifting at 2k lugs the engine pretty bad, I aim for 2.5k - 3k usually.

Also, I'm stuck with 3.07 gears.
I would specualte the shift indicator was not/is not synced to different factory gear ratios. My Jeep has 3.73s, factory sized tires, factory wheels, and the shift indicator is accurate. I drive it daily on roads more than 25mph speed limits. Maybe the 3.07’s are the issue.

No lugging here under 2k. Heck I start off from a stop well under 2k and it doesn't seem to lug.
 
OP, you'll get used to it and just ignore it soon enough. The motor doesn't care if it see's 2,000 or 4,000 rpm shift points.
 
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All late TJs have the light, even 05-06 and even autos. It is simply disabled in the 05-06 TJs and the automatics. In fact, the FSM points it out and calls it "not applicable".

Here's the 06 FSM:
Screenshot_20200214-223026_Adobe Acrobat.jpg

So the light bulb was installed in the factory, never to be turned on