So I've discovered that while the previous owner's mechanic knew absolutely 0 about wiring (the rewired AC doesn't work). Upon looking at fuses to fix the non working gauge cluster and radio, I've noticed that fuse #16 (Underhood lamp, transmission control module, radio & interior lights Looking down at PDC from front of vehicle: Bottom right mini fuse is #16.) under the hood is missing.

Whenever I stick a new one in, it immediately blows. Something is shorting it...any ideas? I'm electrically incompetent but willing to learn!

 

Problem solved. The 3-wire bundle running from the fuse box inside up the A-pillar to the dome light has a short in it. Upon disconnecting from the fuse box, we got the radio to work.
The gauges weren't grounded correctly as I re-tightened a junction box bolt and the gauges magically started working.
So it looks as if most of it is solved and it's about time to start the build...

 

oh yea..thanks for the help.................... LOL

 

Wow. I can't believe you never got a response on this.

 

eh - electrical is difficult. I didn't want to deal with it either, but since it's my Jeep I kinda had to. It took forever, but I eventually got help from a fellow NAXJA forum user and we figured it out over the weekend.

No worries, I'll still be around on the forum since now I understand how more things work than I did before!

 

I've seen a lot of people ask questions regarding their '96 cherokees, but I couldn't find a pdf manual for that year. I have some for other years. Are '95 and '96 that different? Anyway, I wasn't able to help them because of that fact.
Glad you sorted out yours though.

 

it's okay, I should have also specified a 1997 Cherokee. I got it for free and is my build project now.

 

Oh. I thought it was a '96. My bad.

 

haha - well, my profile only showed the 1996. You're not crazy!