ShakeyB

It's telling me that the tail lights are malfunctioning. They are not. A bulb was replaced recently to pass inspection. Any tips?

94zj318

The sensors in the unit go bad over time... the easiest thing to do is remove the screen... it won't affect any other systems inside of the Jeep... plus it'll stop that annoying unnecessary beeping. I've heard you can try pulling a replacement screen out of another Jeep and plugging it into your Jeep, but I've also heard that a lot of times, that won't fix the problem. I was going to remove the EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Information Center, that's what the screen is called) and replace it with a storage cubby so I had some cell phone storage, but I ended up buying a WJ before I could ever get around to it.

Some ZJ Laredos (mosty 1996-1998) have just a white diagram printed on plastic in lieu of the display with LED's behind it that light up the parts of the vehicle that have faults, and those diagrams don't beep when something is up. My parent's old '96 ZJ Laredo had the most basic package you could get on a GC (the 26X/2TX Packages) that diagram (as opposed to my '94 ZJ's 28E/2TE Packages), and theirs had no options at all on it. Starting with the WJ's in 1999, all of that was moved to the overhead console and even included customer-programmable features (headlights on with windshield wipers, horn honk with lock, unlock only the front driver's door or all doors and the tailgate and the tailgate flip-up window with one press of the 'Unlock' button on the remote, and service interval, just to name a few of the customized options), and some 1999 WJ's didn't even have an EVIC, but just an overhead light cluster on the headliner with the 26D/2TD Packages, which are very rare. After 1999 and starting in 2000, the EVIC was standard equipment on all WJ's, with the 26D/2TD Packages deleted. Since 2005, the EVIC is now located in the instrument cluster.

ShakeyB

. I'sensors in the unit go bad over time... the easiest thing to do is remove the screen... it won't affect any other systems inside of the Jeep... plus it'll stop that annoying unnecessary beeping. I've heard you can try pulling a replacement screen out of another Jeep and plugging it into your Jeep, but I've also heard that a lot of times, that won't fix the problem. I was going to remove the EVIC (Electronic Vehicle Information Center, that's what the screen is called) and replace it with a storage cubby so I had some cell phone storage, but I ended up buying a WJ before I could ever get around to it.

Some ZJ Laredos (mosty 1996-1998) have just a white diagram printed on plastic in lieu of the display with LED's behind it that light up the parts of the vehicle that have faults, and those diagrams don't beep when something is up. My parent's old '96 ZJ Laredo had the most basic package you could get on a GC (the 26X/2TX Packages) that diagram (as opposed to my '94 ZJ's 28E/2TE Packages), and theirs had no options at all on it. Starting with the WJ's in 1999, all of that was moved to the overhead console and even included customer-programmable features (headlights on with windshield wipers, horn honk with lock, unlock only the front driver's door or all doors and the tailgate and the tailgate flip-up window with one press of the 'Unlock' button on the remote, and service interval, just to name a few of the customized options), and some 1999 WJ's didn't even have an EVIC, but just an overhead light cluster on the headliner with the 26D/2TD Packages, which are very rare. After 1999 and starting in 2000, the EVIC was standard equipment on all WJ's, with the 26D/2TD Packages deleted. Since 2005, the EVIC is now located in the instrument cluster.[/QUOTE. ] My folks say if it's not broken, don't fix it. Well, it's BROKEN! I just might take a trip to the local UPullit and look for the same color interior with the cubby hole. I can always just disconnect the EVIC if I want to stop it from flashing, right? Someone in their wisdom disconnected the beeper... thank God... Thanks for the advice.

IStoleIt

Your local YouPickIt\Junkyard will have both a cheap EVIC, and more likely the Rear Lamp Controller Circuit. This is a white Circuit box located inside the Left Rear taillight compartment in the trunk area. These should be very cheap at the junkyard!


These intermittent failures are due to mileage. After years of use and abuse the cheap Solder Joints on the circuit boards, some break loose. I spent a solid 2 hours disassembling/reassembling my dash, and repairing the solders joints. I fixed 10-20 bad solders, but my Tail Lamp Failure persisted. Just buy a replacement from the junkyard.

*Most junkyards have a "VERY SHORT" return policy. If it doesnt fix your problem, take it back and tell them it doesnt work. They should repay you. at least partial.


Or like said above, Just remove the whole thing and no more notifications.

Good luck!

jon-d

same issue with the VIC on my 96. I thought about filling the location with a CB radio, since I was looking for a spot anyway. but mine does not beep it just flashes, rather annoyingly.

ShakeyB

Thanks for all the great replies guys. You all make this the best forum out there. I have decided against chasing sensors for the rest of my life...lol I am going to go to the local JY and find the cubby hole. I refuse to resolder and chase aging sensors. I will just check my fluids, bulbs and gauges like I did in my four XJs. I found this 95 ZJ with a 4.0 and 88,000 miles on it! $1500 the power seats and windows work...interior is in great shape and the body is straight....some peeling paint. I have big plans for it.

dave1123

I don't believe you'll find a cubby. It's not a standard factory item. As far as the solder joints go, that's because of the government's mandate for lead-free solder. If you try to fix it, find some old rosin-core electronic solder. The big thing to watch for on ZJs is rust around the rear frame brackets that attach the control arms.

jon-d

wow nice find! i searched for months and could not find anything close to that.

94zj318

Yes, disconnecting the EVIC will disable it completely (the speaker/beeper in the EVIC is actually separate from the one for the headlights on, door ajar, and seatbelt warnings that's plugged into the relay panel underneath of the dashboard), and you'll just have a useless screen mounted in the lower dashboard of your ZJ until you find a cubby to replace it.

AFAIK cubbies were NEVER available in the ZJ, you instead had one of two of the info. screens/diagrams in the lower dashboard, so you'll most likely have to fabricate one to fit, or some aftermarket parts site may sell em pre-manufactured, so all you have to do is bolt it in with the factory screw holes and screws, pushing the factory EVIC wiring harnesses back into the dashboard opening. The cubbies were all black, AFAIK, no other colors were available.

Also, I've heard the EVIC makes a great bedside clock and calendar, go to Instructables.com and lookup how to make one, if you're handy, and put that "broken" EVIC to good use! (:

http://www.instructables.com/id/Cust...-and-Jeep-VIC/

JY95ZJ

I disconnected my screen and replaced it with this because it kept saying my tail lights weren't working and all my doors were open. Just wrapped up the connector end and left it behind there

94zj318

Where did you find the cubby? Might do that to my old '94 before I sell it so that the new owner doesn't have to deal with a faulty EVIC.

jon-d

I know this may not help, but while at the JY I found a cubby installed in a GC. it fit perfectly (all the screws aligned) but unlike the one in the photo above it had a fuzzy coating on it. so there may be different ones out there that will fit.

JY95ZJ

Got lucky at the junkyard and found mine.

ShakeyB

I could not find the cubby hole at the JY. Mine is a 95. I ended up putting a screen from a 93 in it. It doesn't have all of the Nannies that the 95 has. It basically just tells you that you are in 2wd, 4wd part or full time. Perfect! I couldn't be happier.

94zj318

Yeah, you probably have the more basic graphic info screen with a white outline of the Jeep and LED bulbs behind it to light up the 4WD selection.