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Airbag light comes on and gauges fail

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Old Aug 16, 2011 | 04:11 PM
  #1  
fafafofi's Avatar
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Default Airbag light comes on and gauges fail

Yesterday I was driving home from work. First of all, it had a weak start when I left. I am almost home and the Airbag light comes on and all the gauges stop working. Then the CEL comes on for a minute then goes away and the gauges come back to life. Did this again but without the CEL right before I pulled into the driveway.

I replaced the PCM a month ago and wondering if that may be part of the problem. I got it online here, http://autocomputerexchange.net/2000...okee-1078.html

Any ideas?
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Old Aug 16, 2011 | 06:58 PM
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Year: 1998 Classic
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Nope, it is a very common problem in later XJ's and TJ's. My 99 TJ did the dead gauges until I finally pulled the instrument cluster out, slightly bent all the tabs, put dielectric grease in all the slots and re-installed.
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Old Aug 16, 2011 | 07:35 PM
  #3  
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It will also happen when the air bag control module goes out. Thats what happened to mine.
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Old Aug 16, 2011 | 08:40 PM
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I had this happen.. A fellow member told me to use both hands and push the cluster inward.. and mine went in about n 1/8th of an inch and has never done it again!!! AS previous poster said, its a commin problem!!
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Old Aug 16, 2011 | 08:43 PM
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Had it happen to mine as well. Turned out to be the relay for the electric fan. Replaced it and its been fine ever since
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Old Aug 17, 2011 | 09:18 PM
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Originally Posted by mike5368
Had it happen to mine as well. Turned out to be the relay for the electric fan. Replaced it and its been fine ever since
Is the relay in the fuse box under the hood?
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Old Aug 18, 2011 | 01:01 PM
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As mentioned before, try pushing your cluster into the dash firmly. That fixed mine. Very common problem.

Greg
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Old Sep 1, 2011 | 10:31 PM
  #8  
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Thanks Greg. You were right. All I did was push on the panel and bam, back to normal
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Old Apr 10, 2012 | 12:13 PM
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My 98 cherokee has the gauges go out airbag light comes on problem intermittently. how do I gain access to the instrument cluster to check pins, grease and make sure they are all pushed in? Do I have to remove the dashboard? Is something you can do in the driveway?
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Old Apr 10, 2012 | 12:17 PM
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From: Riviera, Texas
Year: 1998 Sport
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Originally Posted by XJ Rat
Nope, it is a very common problem in later XJ's and TJ's. My 99 TJ did the dead gauges until I finally pulled the instrument cluster out, slightly bent all the tabs, put dielectric grease in all the slots and re-installed.
^^ This is it.^^
Very comment problem with Jeep.
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Old Apr 10, 2012 | 12:35 PM
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Can sometimes be the airbag control module ground. It's under the drivers seat.
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Old Apr 10, 2012 | 12:45 PM
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Originally Posted by Dan91
Can sometimes be the airbag control module ground. It's under the drivers seat.
Yes sir, It can. But I don't think it would cause the other gauges to stop working. If I am wrong some let me know, It would be nice to know for sure.
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Old Apr 10, 2012 | 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by RTorrez1
Yes sir, It can. But I don't think it would cause the other gauges to stop working. If I am wrong some let me know, It would be nice to know for sure.
I've heard of a couple people that had gauges going out cause of the airbag control ground. Might be worth a try at least
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Old Apr 10, 2012 | 12:54 PM
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From: Riviera, Texas
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Originally Posted by Dan91
I've heard of a couple people that had gauges going out cause of the airbag control ground. Might be worth a try at least
You are right! It definitely wouldn't hurt to try.
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