Any thoughts on next step to fixing Instrument Cluster/Panel that is only partially working?

My husbands 89 XJ’s speedometer does not work, his gas gauge only occasionally works, and the other dials are iffy on if they are accurate. We took the whole dash apart, cleaned it, reattached the speedo, and next step would be to check fuses.

Well I went and bought an 88 XJ, and same thing they either don’t work or occasionally do.

Could this be a coincidence, or a common problem? Is a fuse going to solve my problem, or what is the next step?

 

The speedo is mechanical. If it doesn't work, check the cable and cable core all the way back to the transmission. If it has cruise control, the speed sensor is "spliced" into the speedo cable a few inches back from the cluster.

Have a look at Cruiser54's site at cruiser54.com. Look at the items concerning grounds and connector refreshing.

Your profile says you have a 4.7 liter engine. Do you have a stroker/engine swap or is that a typo?

 

CRUISER'S MOSTLY RENIX TIPS

IMPROVING THE INSTRUMENT PANEL GROUND

NOVEMBER 17, 2015 SALAD 27 COMMENTS

The ground point for the complete instrument cluster on your XJ or MJ is located up under the driver’s side dash. If you lay on your back and look up under there with a flashlight, without wearing a hat, you will see a black wire attached to a shiny piece of metal almost directly above the hood release ****. The screw will have either a ¼” or 5/16″ head on it.

This ground point is responsible for handling the ground circuit for the following items: Dome lamps, seat belt and key warnings, transmission power/comfort switch, wiper switch, headlamp switch and delay module, fog lamp switch, cargo lamp switch, all instrument panel grounds and illumination, power windows and door locks, cruise control dump valve, and a few more things.

The problem is that where the ground point is located does not share good contact with the chassis where the ground should be. The solution is simple:

• Make up a jumper wire with #10 gauge wire about 10″ long. On one end, crimp on a ¼” round wire terminal. On the other end, crimp on a 3/8″ round wire terminal.
• Remove the screw from the existing ground wire and attach the small terminal of your jumper so that the original wire and your new jumper share the same attaching point, one over the other.
• Look above the driver’s side plastic kick panel just forward of the top of the hood release ****. You will see an 8mm stud there. Attach the large terminal end there with a washer and nut over it tightened securely. Use a coating of OxGard at all ground contact surfaces when attaching the screw and nut.

**Special note for Comanche owners: Make your jumper wire 12″ long and attach it on the driver’s side kick panel close to the fusebox on the 8mm stud.**

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