I am looking at buying a 1997 cherokee xj. I have heard to avoid the 1997 model. What problems have occured with this year model? Also if I get one that was produced at the end of 97 will it be the same as a 98?

Thanks

 

1997 model year was produced mid 1996 to mid 1997
1998 model year was produced mid 1997 to mid 1998

I've also heard of alleged wiring problems with '97 but nothing concrete... just rumors. If anything I would suspect that early runs, like everything, had some minor process or human issues. Parts and specs did not change.

 

So your saying that a mid to late 97 is actually the same as a 98?
I heard that there were like three different runs of wiring harnesses in 97.

 

Never heard that before.

Construction on 1998 model year XJs began in August of 1997

 

Ok thanks anyone else heard of there being a couple different versions of wiring harnesses? Or any other electrical issues?

 

Not per se for my (November) 1997 XJ. In general, Jeeps tend to have a somewhat hidden electrical agenda, if anything. 1997 was the year of the upgrade.

It was the 1996 XJ, that showed to be an odd one, with parts from the pre and post-update mixed and difficulty in getting the correct parts sometimes. As I understand from the parts questions of folks having '96's...
I would check if yours is a pre or post update.

 

Lots of Cherokee myths out there.

I'm not sure but the '97 did carry over the previous year's ability to bring up OBD I trouble codes n the odometer by cycling the ignition key, even though the '97 was full fledged OBD II and could show OBD II codes via the Data Link Connector. I don't know if this feature continued throughout the production year or was discontinued along the way.

The '97 PCM and TCM were stand alone part numbers because in '98 the transmission electronic control changed. The instrument cluster was the same for '97 -'99, so I don't know what would have changed, if anything, that would have discontinued the ability to pull up codes using the ignition key.

In any case, I don't think the '97 wiring harnesses changed mid production that would cause you any problems.

 

My '97 with 142K has had broken wires to the doors and lift hatch, an intermittent issue with the passenger window not operating and, a bum NSS, but those issues are common to most XJs. So far no problems with any harnesses/connections.

 

I've never seen anything about different wiring harnesses on 97-98 models. I know a few minute things changed 99+ electrical wise, but for the most part, 97s and 98's are the same. Chrysler had a recall for the 1997 model fuel level sending unit. The gauge would not work or go bonkers all the time. The recall was only for 1997 even though the '98's were affected by it as well, at least mine was. 98's also had a recall for relocation of the ABS module from under the front driver's seat to under the center console.

 

Since I have a `97, I've been following `97 posts for years, can't say the number of wiring issues have been abnormal. But here's my one issue, a misfire cause by a shorted injector wire:

Here's my original photo and you can make out the fuel rail mushed into the wire harness:


This closeup makes it very clear:


Easy to check and cheap to fix. It cost me several hundred $$$ because I went to a "professional" jeep mechanic who's cure all was 4 oz bottles of joy juice at $10 each.

 

For sure, LOL
This. Only problems I have had has been stress areas around the doors. Only other electrical problems I have had were due to PO hack wiring jobs on accessories, LOL, everything that guy did was like a tweaker rats nest

 

Well it sounds like based on what everyone is saying it sounds like it would be fine to go with a 97.

 

It must be true about '97 XJs......u read it on the Internet. LOL

 

Look at it this way, you get a steel vs a plastic hatch with a few wiring problems. Sure beats a 0331 head.

 

Stole these pics.

Tee Hee