Alright, so hear me out, I have an idea. I've got a 1996 with the new cluster. Idiot light gauge clusters and analog clusters are plug and play, minus the speedometer in some years. No one likes the idiot lights so I don't feel bad about sacrificing one from the junkyard. What I want to do, I pigtail off the imput to my gauge cluster and run both sets of gauges. Why and how you might ask? Well the fuel gauge on the newer cluster has a low fuel light, but none of the others have any warning lights. I want to add a warning light (idiot light) to the other three small gauges just like the fuel gauge. I know many will ask why I want to, or say that it's a dumb idea, or that the stock gauges are fine. I know all of this. But I want to try it. I think it would be different. And actually quite handy to have. I want to know your imput not about weather or not I should do it, but rather, can it be done and what obstacles do you forsee? I am excited to see the feedback and support. Thanks!

 

I know with the later years it was a direct swap the early years might require a sensor upgrade or two

 

Oh I forgot about the sensors! I guess I assumed it would work anyways lol

 

Sorry for not posting in a while, I'm a single parent, and work a full time job. I'm still very interested in using an idiot light cluster to modify my 96 cluster to have indicator lights on every gauge (like the fuel gauge).

So after some research, it appears most of the -96 gauges are interchangeable depending on the grouping of years. Apart from the years, the only real things to consider, is what style speedometer cable you have (if you have one) and adding a few select sensors. Here's what I gathered:

The voltmeter will be relatively easy to modify since it measures the current. All I'll need is a switch that closes when it's below 12 volts, completing the circuit, and turning on the small light. The clusters are plug-in-play in regards to the voltmeter, so maybe I can get away with just reusing part of the cluster for this? Can anyone elaborate? Thoughts?

The only other two, are the oil pressure and coolant temperature idiot lights. Now they are a little bit more involved. They require older sensors that my Jeep is not equipped with. I'm having a hard time finding information on these sensors because there is so much research about swapping out the older cluster, on not a single forum about swapping one in (go figure, right?) Another problem I have with these sensors, is the base model gauge could have came from the factory alongside the premium gauge during the same years, and I don't know how to research the different sensors for each. If anyone has any information like part numbers or visual differences or anything to help with sourcing or locating these two older sensors, that would be amazing.

I would love to have another indicator that illuminates when the vehicle revs too high and into the red zone marked on the tachometer. I drive an automatic, so this is completely useless and purely aesthetic. If I drove a manual, I would probably install a shift indicator, not that I need one, but just to match the rest of gauges.

This last bit of research and planning, is the last of the hard part. The technical part is always the most stressful for me because I tend to be a perfectionist. Once I'm done with this step, crafting and installing the additional wiring harness to support this small mod, is simple and fun.

Again, for anyone who is reading this thinking this is a waste of time, you're half right. Will this mod give me any actual practically? Actually, yes. Will I ever use it? Probably not. Will I be thankful it's there when I'm not actively looking at my gauges and my high mileage Jeep starts doing weird stuff? Absolutely! Is this a fun project that I would love to try out and hone my skills with? Without a doubt.

Also, for those not following, I have another gauge mod that may integrate this mod. I am currently constructing a mini gauge cluster that will house transmission fluid and engine oil temperature gauges inside of the factory dash clock spot using factory gauges. Here is the link if you wanted to give that a read: https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f67/af...2/#post3644786

At this point I might as well install a system sentry 🤣 But for real though, if you know anyone who has one, let me know.

Again, thank you everyone who reads my outrageous ideas and follows me. Please, I always encourage the community to comment their thoughts, ideas, and constructive criticism. I love to hear feedback, not because I look for validation, but because I like to educate and be able to provide documentation and knowledge to people who are egar to learn.

 

I have always wanted a gauge WITH a warning light,, it's not like I drive around staring at the gauges.

 

Exactly! I'm sure if I do the research and find an easy way to put it all together, someone else will benefit 😁

 

you can do it by running sensors for both

 

This is the way I would do it.

I would not do both on the factory sensor/ wire harness.
Your impedance would be off, and maybe the ECM would not be happy?

 

Yeah I agree. I'm pretty sure I can make it work rather simply off it's own sensors and harness. I have big plans for this one 😁

 

A lot od tht stuff runs trough the cpu so I would expect to have issues., You could always buy a 97-01

 

You will have to run seperate wires for the light and gauge for each function. I did something similar when I put my Chevy V6 in. I have the electronic stuff for the ECM and analogue sensors for the dash gauges. Oil was easy, a little plumbing with 1/8" pipe brass. Temp I drilled and tapped the intake for two sensors. One for the analogue gauge and one for a fan temp sensor switch from Painless Wiring

 

(in years past )
The idiot light sensors were "On-Off" switch sensors, open on closed. And the gauge sensors were variable resistance sensors.

Does anyone know if that is true with the OBD2 XJs?? or do all the sensor inputs go to the computer, then sent to the dash cluster?
In other words, does the oil pressure sensor wire go directly from the oil pressure sending unit to the gauge in the cluster?

 

that is a very good question! I've gotten mixed reviews saying it was proprietary sensors that turned the lights on, and that it all ran through the ECU that did the math. Either way, I would love to know more! The one field service manual I have is for 1996, and I believe this year was never released with the idiot gauges because I can't find any information about them.

I would love to actually getting around to do doing this mod. But need help researching this information! Thank you for the post!

 

I’ve done a couple of cluster swaps in the later years and never had to change the sensors

 

That's what I keep reading. I keep getting mixed information