98 TJ gauges not working

[Mattk2366]

Gauges on my TJ just stopped working. I have cleaned and checked all grounds, slightly twisted the prongs and plugged dash back in and nothing. Finally I gave up and took it to the dealer who advised the issue is the cluster connector but advised they can’t source the part.

Is anyone aware of a place to find the part or possibly a work around to get me going. At this point I don’t care about cost I just want my Jeep back.

Thanks for any help

 

[CharlesHS]

The replacement BUSS harness connectors were available years ago when the instrument cluster gauges ceased to work due to tiny specks of black oxidation.
The 1998 XJ 4.0L that I owned had this problem; the replacement of the BUSS connectors only worked for a few months before the problem returned.

IF the gauges stopped working and the problem was determined to be the BUSS harness connectors behind the Instrument Cluster a NO BUSS should be indicated on the Odometer display.
Have you checked the three 32 pin ECU harness connectors and receptacles ?
IF the pins and clips are oxidized the communications between the ECU and the Instrument Cluster will be affected.

You can also download the PDF of your year FSM and search thru 8W for the electrical schematics to assist you in trouble shooting the problem.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...ice-manuals-fsm-technical-documentation.4618/

 

[Mattk2366]

The replacement BUSS harness connectors were available years ago when the instrument cluster gauges ceased to work due to tiny specks of black oxidation.
The 1998 XJ 4.0L that I owned had this problem; the replacement of the BUSS connectors only worked for a few months before the problem returned.

IF the gauges stopped working and the problem was determined to be the BUSS harness connectors behind the Instrument Cluster a NO BUSS should be indicated on the Odometer display.
Have you checked the three 32 pin ECU harness connectors and receptacles ?
IF the pins and clips are oxidized the communications between the ECU and the Instrument Cluster will be affected.

You can also download the PDF of your year FSM and search thru 8W for the electrical schematics to assist you in trouble shooting the problem.

https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...ice-manuals-fsm-technical-documentation.4618/

I have pulled the dash apart and tried to shake the connectors with it running seeing if I can get an intermittent connection but nothing at all. I will pull the dash back apart and start chasing wires and look at the two connectors. My odometer reads mileage, though it doesn’t change, I have never seen any no buss message.

Thanks

 

[CharlesHS]

IF you can borrow another Instrument Cluster; test if this is a communications problem or an Instrument Cluster problem.

 

[tr21triton]

good luck with that damn problem ! i chased one for 3 years wrang out the wires, re soldered the pins on the cluster and everything never did figure it out. sold that one and bought another one. just remember to keep your gas tank full !

 

[qslim]

Finally I gave up and took it to the dealer who advised the issue is the cluster connector

Did they give you any detail as to how they arrived at that solution or do you think they were guessing? I'm not saying they were, I'm just interested to know how they figured it out.

Edit: Also I remember reading a couple of threads on here about a fuse under the hood causing this problem, I want to say it was the IOD fuse. Have you checked your fuses?

 

[Mattk2366]

They didn’t really go into it but I haven’t actually picked it up yet. I actually think they are guessing but was hoping they could explain how they came to their conclusion.

I've checked fuses but when I get it back I guess I’m gonna tear back through it, fuses and all.

 

[Mattk2366]

IF you can borrow another Instrument Cluster; test if this is a communications problem or an Instrument Cluster problem.

There was a test to confirm the gauges work, I think I held down the odometer reset while I turned the key and the dash went through a test. Each gauge came on and seemed to work. I am thinking I’ll pick up a different cluster with connectors from a junkyard and give that a try next.

 

[CharlesHS]

There was a test to confirm the gauges work, I think I held down the odometer reset while I turned the key and the dash went through a test. Each gauge came on and seemed to work. I am thinking I’ll pick up a different cluster with connectors from a junkyard and give that a try next.

IF you performed the test for the Instrument Cluster and the gauges came on and seemed to work; that sounds like the cluster is working, but what is lacking are the communications from the ECU.

 

[qslim]

They didn’t really go into it but I haven’t actually picked it up yet. I actually think they are guessing but was hoping they could explain how they came to their conclusion.

I've checked fuses but when I get it back I guess I’m gonna tear back through it, fuses and all.

If you're paying money they're obligated to explain how they came to that conclusion.

 

[tr21triton]

is your door buzzer working ? mine wouldn't come on when the cluster wasn't working. just knock the shit out of the cluster with a ball bat and see if it starts working. i'd tear my dash apart and pull the cluster then put it back in and it would work for a while. thinking i had it fixed i'd put the dash panels back together and it would work sometimes a hour sometimes a day then back out. it got to the point that I could have the cluster out in 5 minutes. even had one of our avionics aircraft mechanics give me a contact enhancer to put on the connectors that didn't work either. i hope you figure yours out like i said i never did mine !

 

[801 Driver]

I have been working to find my culprit for a couple years now on my 98 TJ. It comes and goes. I have tried all the common things posted in other places here, sometimes it works a while, sometimes not. It does look like my sockets have been changed out previous to me owning this jeep and they look to have done a good job replacing them. I have also tried the cleaning and bending and stuff like that, making sure the grounds were good, etc. I have tried moving the data wires around, twisting them differently and thought I had resolved the issue once but it returned later. The only thing I have seen mentioned I have not tried is finding a way to disconnect the airbag sensor that is mounted in the center up against the inside of the firewall which was mentioned might be messing up and overloading the standard rest of the data signal to give that a try. Please let us know if you have any success.

 

[Mattk2366]

I am hoping to get off work early enough to pick the Jeep up today. When I do I plan to find out why they are confident it is the connector. And then I guess I am back to the drawing board. I’ll keep you informed if I have any luck. Thanks for all the responses and ideas.

 

[801 Driver]

Some things I forgot to add in my last post. My main computer has been replaced, made no change. There are times when my tach and speedo go to zero, but the 4 small gauges still work correctly, then other times everything goes off just like turning off the switch, then when they start back working the airbag light is on and resets just like a cold start. None of this seems to be bump or jiggle related. Turning the switch off and back on(like a reset) makes no difference. Might be marginal but it seems to be worse when the interior is below about 35' and then gets better as it warms up. Good luck to you.

 

[CharlesHS]

I am hoping to get off work early enough to pick the Jeep up today. When I do I plan to find out why they are confident it is the connector. And then I guess I am back to the drawing board. I’ll keep you informed if I have any luck. Thanks for all the responses and ideas.

Guess the question should be asked and I am sure I know the answer.
IF you were to have them replace the BUSS connectors for the Instrument Cluster and the problem remains unaffected; are they not going to charge you for the parts and labor ?

 

[macleanflood]

Guess the question should be asked and I am sure I know the answer.
IF you were to have them replace the BUSS connectors for the Instrument Cluster and the problem remains unaffected; are they not going to charge you for the parts and labor ?

Has anyone tried using a Haltech on the Jeep 4.0? It would solve the computer issues, modernize engine management and allow you to run a Haltech or Dakota Digital dash. Speaking of which...I wonder if Dakota has a dash? I know it's an expensive nuclear option...but based on some of the stories in these posts...

-Mac

 

[Mattk2366]

I am leaning towards ditching the stock gauges and adding mechanical gauges and a gps Speedo. I guess I’ll have to dig in a bit before I make that decision though.

 

[Mattk2366]

Well. Messing around with it tonight and it worked. I retwisted the twisted pair and boom. Made it 4.9 miles before it stopped working. Back to nothing I do working. I think I’m buying mechanical gauges and being done with this fight.