THE SITUATION

I have a 97 Cherokee sport with 110K miles on it. I think I got a good deal. The only issues so far are with the gauges and apparently, the airbag clockspring.

- Cruise control and horn don't work and airbag light is on. From what I've read here, I need a new airbag clockspring and have one on the way.

- The gauges had a check gauges light on initially, which I have guessed to be the result of a dead battery. Since I replaced, it hasn't returned.

- The gauges will work intermittently and it appeared at first that there was a short in the turn signal switch, because jiggling it would usually bring the gauges back to life. I replaced the switch, but the problem remained, so following instructions on here, I removed the gauges cluster, cleaned the contacts and reinstalled. Worked fine for about a day, but now the problem is back. Pounding on the dash doesn't help.

- I have a check engine light, but a reader indicates an Oxygen sensor replacement needed. Not a huge deal; I have replaced these before.

- I can run the gauges test (parking light on/press odometer/turn key to on) and the test completes fine, then the gauges work for a while again.

I plan to remove and clean the cluster again, and add some electronic contact lube.

MY QUESTION

Is there something else I need to do? This is maddening.

Thanks

 

Update - As usual, this is a multi-layered problem. I replaced the airbag clockspring and that fixed the horn, cruise control and constant display of airbag light on. It was easy to do, only two screws hold the airbag to the steering wheel. Pulling the wheel was easy.

I fixed a CEL by replacing the oxygen sensors.

Now the gauges still whack out now and then. The constant airbag light has gone off, but it sometimes reappears when the gauges go crazy. Usually activating the turn signal switch will get things going again. (I put a new one in earlier)

I again cleaned the cluster plugs and sprayed some elec. lube on them. Will do again with dielecric grease. Am also looking for possible ground issues.

 

Not sure if this is your problem, but all of my gauges used to go out randomly in my 98 XJ, and small bumps and what not would randomly make them start working again so I figured it was an electrical connection, since it wasn't fuses and the entire cluster was going out.

I pulled the cluster, checked out the contacts (all clean and looked fine) but noticed the actual big plug the cluster plugs into was really pretty loose in the slot holding it in the dash. I put some duct tape (folded to make it thicker) behind the ears of the plug.

This pushed the connector toward the back of the car a bit and held it in place firmly. I have not had a single gauge problem since.

Good luck.

 

I appreciate the suggestion and will take another look at it.