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Yeah, the problem is in the dash. There are a couple of technical service bulletins from Jeep on this issue. To fix the problem, you have to remove the dash cluster, (not as hard as it sounds), and clean the pins on the cluster that slide into the connector that goes to the rest of the wiring. Light corrosion builds up on the pins, causing the intermittent problem. You may have noticed that when it's acting up, a good smack on the dash will cure it temporarily. I cleaned mine a couple months ago, and haven't seen the problem since. But, it usually acted up more when it was cold outside, so I won't know for sure till about January. So far though, it's been fine. A decent manual will tell you how to remove the cluster. Good luck!
Nelson
PS, great site here...
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
The first couple of times it happened, all of the instrument lights flashed on and then off. They weren't on for any longer than a second. Then, this past weekend, during a major rainstorm, all intrument lights flashed on then off, and then I lost all electrical power inside the vehicle. This repeated itself a dozen times or so, then power inside the vehicle was restored and all the instrument lights except for the check engine light (the one shaped like an engine) went back off. It stayed on for atleast 5 minutes.
It happened again the next day while driving through a small tunnel (when the automatic head lights came on). During all 4 incidents, the vehicle always drove fine, with no loss of power/perfomance. I just made an appoitment to take it in to the dealer to have it checked out, but wanted to check and see if anyone else has had the same problem, and if so, what the solution was. Thanks in advance.
When I drive now, I only have the one key in the ignition... nothing else dangling on a key chain. I thought that maybe the weight of my keys on the chain was causing the switch to come loose or something. Believe it or not, so far this seems to have solved my problem. Once I removed the keychain and house key, there was nothing swinging or dangling from the (loose?) iginition switch, and I have not had the problem since.
I too only seemed to have this happen when the lights were in automatic mode. I wonder if it is a combination of a loose switch, being in automatic mode, and everything being fully power in this vehicle... I too called the dealership when I first bought it (used), and they were all too eager for me to come in. I was told it could be variety of things, and this place has a reputation for being expensive. So I contacted another place, one that has a very good reputation in town. They were not as eager to spend my money because they hadn't heard of this problem before and I didn't have enough info to go on. But they told me to keep track of when it happens and under what conditions I am driving in, etc.
But since taking my other stuff off the keychain so there is no weight swinging from it, I haven't had a recurrence.
Good luck! I would be interested to hear how you make out!
Thanks for the replies and advice. I'm taking my GC to the dealer to be serviced tomorrow. It's still under bumper-to-bumper warranty, so I will go ahead and let them take a look at it. If they can't find/fix the problem, I will try your advice with the key and cleaning battery terminals.
I will let you know what I find out...
Any ideas? Since I bought this car recently I woul appreciate some opinions. Thanx for your time.
Regards.
Mauricio
if not try to hot wire fan to see if fan motor if fan works then fan relay could be bad
take to auto zone and have them read codes from computer should tell you what to look for buy the numbers that you get on the code reader
should not have to change plugs with only 33000 miles on them have 100000 on mine and just thinking about changing them
I have this problem also- in addition to a 'no bu5' message I get on the odometer. Would the same fix apply? It is driving me crazy!! Thanks for any advice!
It started out that my car would die (while driving 40 mph, at stop lights, etc), and start back up, and I was able to get home from work.. Well now the car won't run for more than 10 minutes, dash gauges die, will crank over but not start and the sentry key light on dash stays on.. I had it to the dealership to a friend that has been working on car for 15+ years (he could not get the car to duplicate problem, computer read clean also), and he took an educated guess and changed the crank sensor.. Worked for about a week.. Now the car is useless.. I don't want to drive it..
I need help, I have read so many different fixes, and people spending $2,000+ and car still is not fixed.. If you have good information please help me.. I can't afford to sink thousands into this car.. It won't run more than 10 minutes now, and takes about 2 hours before it will start again.. I AM DESPERATE... (
lots of stuff on key chain can upset the sentry computer just try just the key for a while
I've got a 1998 Cherokee and recently the night time illuminaton on the dash went out....so we changed the fuse. Apparently that was not the problem. I have no dash lights at night, only icons light up but the dash is otherwise pitch dark. Everything else seems to be running smoothly, no other glitches...just can't see.
My husband is over seas and I'm loathe to take it to a mechanic and have them take advantage as I know they do....so any help/advice would be much appreciated.
thanks :confuse:
In the meantime, see the reply to your original message: mmeyer1, "Jeep Grand Cherokee Electrical Problems" #245, 21 Oct 2007 3:34 pm
tidester, host
SUVs and Smart Shopper
I tried replacing the light bulb but that didn't fix it. Does anyone have any ideas as to what the problem might be?
I turned the key once and it acted dead.
Next time I turned the key it acted normal, dash lights, starter cranks, but no start. Tried a bunch of times and starter cranks fine, but no start.
What would you try first - ignition switch ? It's got 126,000 miles on the 4L.
By the way, it's just one of the brake lights acting up, right ?
would be better off to install three gage set witch comes with all the mounting stuf