Hey everyone I'm looking into a newer xj. I'm curious how is the electrical system is. This new one has power everything. My old one is simple manual everything. I don't want to have to replace window motors or clock spring for cruise.

 

"I'm curious how is the electrical system is."

Still 12V dc, same thing.

 

In my opinion with power everything there's quite a bit of hassle for a little luxury. I have an older Limited thats power everything and I've had problems with the power door locks, power windows, power seats, power mirrors. They aren't hard fixes most of the time, normally a frayed wire or a bad ground. And with a newer XJ you may not have all the rub through issues because it isn't as old and worn down as others. If I had the choice to get mine without power everything, I'd definitely go with the manual stuff over powered.

 

I figured that much. Does the window motors or power seats and all that stuff fail often.

 

Depends what you mean by "often". The window switches are notorious for being a pain.

But how old are the vehicles? I suspect if you have a problem, and fix it correctly, you'll get many more years of trouble free service out of them.

And if you are into fording streams, you don't want power ANYTHING.


It's a simple roof of life - more stuff means more complication which means more to go wrong which means more maintenance.

Only you can decide if it's worth it to you. For me, yes, it is. Others, no.

It's a personal choice.

 

The vehicle in question is a 96 I want to assume. The car lot wasn't open last night when I stopped by to look at it.

 

It's the same across the years. Still made by Chrysler. Grounds suck, everything is too small of a gauge, same retarded front lighting circuits. In other words same rate of failure.

 

Average, schmaverage for failure rate in my opinion. That goes for the electrical system and most everything else.

Drivetrain however I think is a little better than average for failure/repairs.....

How much they asking for that '96?

 

96!

Quickly run away!

The '96 is the most gobble F***'d of all the Cherokees out there.

 

Ken, I'm curious as to why.
I'm thinking about looking for another XJ and this would be useful info..
Love my 99...
Thanks!
b

 

Because it was a split year, some sensorss were from 97+ some 96-

 

Oh yeah, I forgot about that.

It's not even just sensors. The fuel system is totally unique, too. The one year of OBD-II with the old-style gauge cluster and a unique PCM.

1996 sucks as key parts are 1996-specific and they stopped making them a long time ago... in other words, you HAVE to find a '96 at the junkyard for fuel system parts. Or you replace ALL of it.

 

$500 and I'm not even sure it's a 96. All I know is its a pre97

 

I really haven't had many electrical problems in my '99. I have replaced the master power window switch because the child safety lock was permanently engaged so only I could roll down the windows from the driver's switch. I had to replace the wire for the speaker in my driver's door because after 13 years of opening and closing, it finally broke. The latest has been the crankshaft position sensor (CPS) failed. That's about all of the electrical issues I've had in the 6 years I've owned it.

I would not buy a vehicle without power windows. I love driving with all 4 windows down in nice weather.

 

Bought new and no electrical issues except alternator bearing froze and still have the original sensors. Now at 179K miles.