All,

We've been driving this car for almost a year now with no issue, thanks to work performed under the guidance of this forum.

NEW ISSUE - Dash gauges, headlights, radio, air conditioning, power windows cutting in and out.

Intermittent power fluctuations although not nearly as frequent as items mentioned above.

Raised hood and checked ground wire connected to head bold closest to firewall. Bolt was loose (probably our fault) and sparks. See video and pic.

Also receiving "NO BUS" error message on dash.

Would that loose ground wire cause all these issues?

Thanks
Russ

 

I'm sure others will chime in...but a No Bus code could be a PCM issue... but I don't know if that's the only solution. I'd wait for others to chime in with direct personal experience, because a new PCM of your model and year, and having it flashed with your VIN is not a dirt cheap fix. But this is what I've seen on several with that type of error code.

 

I'd say tighten up that bolt, and replace the ground strap if it is in bad shape. Another critical spot to check is the main body ground on the passenger inner fender right by the battery. I was having intermittent gauge failure and other electrical oddities a few years back and replacing the cable to the inner fender fixed everything. Mine is also a '99 XJ Sport with the straight six. Hope this helps.

 

That ground strap is mostly for radio noise IIRC, I ran mine without one for a while when it corroded away - zero ill effects.
Still, tighten up that bolt and make sure the ground path is good if you are seeing arcing.

Secondly, check your main battery cables and terminals as well. Maybe check the alternator/battery voltage at the main fuse box (there is a cover the connects the battery to the fuse box under the hood). Check it with no load, check it with all the lights on and blower at max, should be ~13.3v or more

 

Thanks for the reply ... all good now. Tightened down the bonding strap and no issues since.