Does anyone have any idea where to begin troubleshooting an instrument cluster on a 98 xj who's gauges/odometer are not working? I've looked in the haynes repair manual and none of the wiring diagrams pointed to any solution.

 

Its most likely the plug on the back of your cluster .. try pushing the trip odometer reset button if your gages come alive then it is this plug .. some can get them to work just by playing with the trip reset button and never have a prob again .. others got to tear into their clusters and plug it back in .. some tape or silicone it so it won't come apart again.

 

Sorry wrong post.

 

I have a 98 XJ, had this problem for years. I could push the cluster in by hand and it would come alive again. BUT.... I have now fixed it! you have to take the dash apart and pull the cluster out, you'll see the 2 green connections ( very loose ) I taped some shims just behind the clips to stabilize it and bring it out just a bit. ( i wish I had taken pics!!!)
it's a poor design, even with the cluster in the connections were always free to move at the back.
it's been 2 weeks and a lot of bumpy roads and so far so good!
hope this helped.

 

There are 4 connections in the back of the intrument cluster. By connections i mean well in kinda snaps into place. Sometimes the conections need to be cleaned (kinda like your battery posts) My cluster did not work when i purchased my 2000 xj. Sometimes it out work when i beat on the dash a little bit but most of the time not. Turned out Chrysler had turned out a bunch of bad clusters in this year range. (as told by the dealer) I ended up having the dealer install a refurbished cluster for no less then $998.37. Not something i wanted to do the first week of owning a new to me jeep. Thats my story.

 

you got ripped off

 

o yea by dealership i meant stealership. local shops would not even touch it for some reason. the cluster itself was 600 or so. new one was over a grand.

 

my 98 does the same thing a hammer fist to the dash fixes it every time lol

 

are you getting the dreaded "no bus" message? mine turned out to be a bad ground near the alternator taking down the 5v to the cluster.

there is a tsb out for the erractic clusters. most people just punch the dash until it comes back. here is the tsb.

SUBJECT:
Erratic, Intermittent Cluster Operation/Intermittent Air Bag Warning light.
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves installing a repair harness containing a revised instrument cluster connector.
MODELS:
1998 - 1999 (TJ) Wrangler
1998 - 1999 (XJ) Cherokee

SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Some vehicles may exhibit an intermittent illumination of the air bag warning light or an intermittent tachometer or speedometer drop out. An Airbag Electronic Control Module (AECM) fault code - "No Cluster CCD BUS" message will be present.
DIAGNOSIS:
Using the DRB III(R), read and record all active and stored fault codes in the AECM. This condition is caused by minor oxidation of the BUS circuit terminals at the instrument cluster connector. Electrical terminals will show signs of oxidation, which will appear as darkened lines or marks on the cluster male terminals. These often appear as gray or black marks rather than the appearance of oxidation or corrosion usually associated with higher current carrying circuits. This condition will set a "NO CLUSTER CCD BUS" message. The fault code will usually be stored and not active. THIS TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WILL NOT ADDRESS FUEL OR OIL PRESSURE GAUGE ISSUES. If this fault code is present, either active or stored perform the Repair Procedure.
PARTS REQUIRED:
1 - 05016261AA Cluster Connector Patch Harness
1 - 04856975 Electric Contact Cleaner
2 - 04778570 Heat Shrink Tubing
POLICY:
Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.

 

Well gentlemen I have a 2001 XJ and mine also started doing the same thing. I removed the cluster and saw that the female pins seem not to be making good contact. So I took a dental tool "pick" and start to move the pins inward in order to make a tighter fit. I also put some electrical contact grease. Hopefully this will work. On a good note the odometer stops tracking the milage. Then again can't tell how fast your going either. Also the ODB scan tool doesn't not pick up the "No Bus" fault. I removed and reinstalled the cluster with the engine running.

 

Hi. I have a 95, don't know if it's the same but it had a bad ground to the instrument panel. I just jumped a ground wire from the cigarette lighter ground to the screw on the back of the cluster labeled LG. It all works fine now.

 

I have a 98 Xj and my gas gauge was not working, so I unplugged the cluster and plugged it back in and now the gas gauge seems to work but all the other gauges are off. I call the dealership and they wanted 1k for a new one! Can get one off ebay for $52. Just have to figure out how to get the mileage straight with the new/used one from ebay.

 

Exactly what i do

 

pull the cluster, scuff the contacts, add some di-electrical grease and plug it back in.

 

i might be buying a ZJ tomorrow and i have been told the gauges dont work but everything else is fine. you think the same solution is needed. take off cluster and re plug in cluster?