The cruise control on my 96 XJ (4.0/auto sport package) has started engaging by itself. When I bought the jeep the cruise controls did not work and this has just started lately. Also, the speedometer and tach now fluctuate randomly while driving down the road. I have noticed that when you lightly accelerate the speedo and tach will go to zero together. When you let off the gas they will return to their readings, but then begin to jump around again. When the speedo and tach are doing their crazy dance the gas gauge will move well above full and the little yellow light next to the empty mark may or may not come on. I assume this light is a warning light for when the tank is nearing empty.

I do not know if the gauge issues are related to the Cruise control problem, but I tend to think they are. I have done some searching here but have not found any similar occurrences.

Any thoughts or suggestions on what to start looking for are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

 

I have had 2 96' XJ's and both had the same problem with the gauages fluctuating and then stopping all together sometimes. Check your ground wire on the engine block. its Towards the back of your engine on the passenger side. Its near the oil filter. My ground wire there on both were very brittle and actually fell off when i touched it. Hope this helps!

 

Thanks for the tip Andrew. I'll check it out.