Hey guys,

Brand new to the forums and to Jeeps. I picked mine up last year and I've got a few issues with it, some new and some came when I bought it. It's a 1999 Jeep Cherokee with the 4.0.

1) As of last week, the dash cluster lights and the lights on the shifter do not light up when the headlights are turned on. The headlights still come on, but nothing changes inside. The digital odometer still works and is bright. I think maybe a fuse is to blame, but I thought I'd ask here anyway just in case there's a pre-existing or well known problem. EDIT: Fixed this with a 5AMP fuse.

2) I assume this is unrelated to the first one, but since I got it (and even after a battery swap) occasionally the entire dash cluster (speedo, tach, voltage, oil temp, etc) will go dead, needles dropping and the airbag light will activate. If I turn the headlights on and off again they usually come back to life, and sometimes pressing the odometer reset switch will bring things back also. I have no idea what could be causing this. EDIT: looks like the service bulletin listed below should help solve this. Just waiting for dealers to open up again on Tuesday.

3) The HVAC system is stuck on defrost setting. This happens whether the A/C is on or not, whether it's set to hot or cold, but no matter what it blows out of the defost vents. I've been told it could be the "vacuum valve check", but I don't know where that is or how I could get to it to fix it.

Any help or advice you all could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks again!

FtB

 

I'm having the same issue as #2 the entire instrument panel will sometimes go dead and the airbag light will come on. I've found a couple threads where people have similar issues and a writeup on how to fix it. I haven't gotten around to actually fixing it yet but when I find time I'll follow this guide.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/fi...cluster-88247/
Here's another link about the same problem
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/no-...finally-87255/

 

Wow. Immensely helpful. Thanks so much dude. I've been searching for an answer for this for 9 months.

 

Problem number 3 the defrost I forget what the part is called but I know it located behind the glove box, there are 2 10mm screws holding it on.. It's an oval shape, about the size of a shot glass.. It's an air temperature control sensor or auto temp control.

 

That's what controls where the air flows? The AC actually works, it just blows all cold air out the defrost vents instead of the console vents.

EDIT: This is what I'm looking at. Let me know which one you're talking about.

 

Still trying to figure out the vacuum issue....

 

None, it's maybe under the panel under the glove box,, I'll post a pic

 

It's right next to the light, my bad on the placement, it's been a few years since I fixed mine. The white thing with the two 10mm screws on it.

 

I am very sorry to interrupt, but my 1999 XJ does the "Blows out the defroster vents" occasionally, not all the time. Does this part have to be replace or can you clean it? Fade-to-Black. We both are in the same predicament it seems! I am new to Jeeps and the forum too. If ever we can help each other, let me know!

 

Which light is that? The one in the passenger side footwell? My glove box doesn't have a light.

 

He might have a pre 97 xj, they have glove box lights.
I remember readin bout the air out of the defrost vents and I believe it was a vaccum problem, not a sensor, ill try and find the tread.

EDIT here are 2 links
http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f11/b...t-only-916667/
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/air...defrost-41279/

 

Thanks for these. My cruise control doesn't work either. The light comes on but the speed won't set. I just assumed it was a switch gone bad. Nice to know I may kill two birds with one stone when I fix this thing. Thanks!

 

So the local Jeep guys say it's the actual HVAC unit that has the leak. $350 FML...

 

I would get a second opinion, that is the most expensive part of the system. If its a vacuum operated system like my '92 then its most likely a leak in a hose. Vacuum hose leaks are quite common and the hose is cheap. If you do replace the unit, make sure to get your old one back.

 

The guy that diagnosed it was a jeep master tech for a long time. He said he traced the leak back to the back of the unit. I'll definitely get the old unit back though. Is that so I can test it myself to see what's wrong with it? Or to resell?