[Guest]

Here's the story cut and dry... I installed a cd deck in my 97 jeep wrangler 4-cyl and the next day, low and behold I don't have any dash readouts anymore! Now the only thing i can think of that might be related is that when I was installing the deck, the wire that powers the memory did ground on the negative wire. But I'm not sure if that would be related or not. The jeep was off at the time and the power wire for the radio wasn't hooked up yet. However... I do have some lights that come on when the jeep is in the on position but hasn't been started. Those lights are the abs, airbag, check gauges and engine lights etc etc. those do come on. But once its started and the timer turns them off, I get nothing. No tach, no voltage, no fuel guage, nothing. And this has me highly confused as to where the problem lays. I checked all the fuses available (under hood and behind glove box) the relay center doesn't have anything related that I could see. Is it possible that the ECM got spiked when that memory wire got grounded? I don't have a wiring diagram to follow as of yet so i'm unsure what the color codes are for the wires into the dash (which are many it seems). I've traced what I can of the wiring to look for kinks but to no avail. I could use a pointer or a suggestion or two.

 

[Jim_Lou]

Your problem should be just a blown fuse. I have a hard time seeing if those new-fangled fuses are good until I pull them out and look at the side. Have you done that? It sure sounds like a blown fuse. I wouldn't think that the ECM would kill the instrument panel display, but I guess it could.

Good luck.

 

[jeepgod]

should be a fuse behind the glove box..

 

[Guest]

thx for responding guys. The fuse isn't to blame here unfortunately... I had checked both centers 3 times already (the one behind the glove box and the one under the hood) and they all check out fine. I'm thinking about just taking it to a mechanic and letting them deal with it....

 

[dorfs]

The dash on a TJ is a computer called a MIC, or mechinacial instrument cluster. It is powered and run from the CCD buss. There was a TSB on early TJ's for the connector on the right side to be replaced. The connector wasn't long enough to make a good contact to the cluster. You can easily pull the cluster by removing 9 screws. Once the cluster is pulled, remove both connectors from the plastic retainer and relocate them outside retainer, and re-install the cluster. This will give you about another 1/4 inch of contact. Usually this fixes the problem you describe.

There may also be a simple self-test you can do to calibrate the cluster and check operation of the guages. Simply hold down the trip reset button, and turn on the key. Keep the button down until the odometer reads check. The cluster should illuminate and sweep the guages to specific calibration points.

 

[Dirt Dog]

In reply to:

Once the cluster is pulled, remove both connectors from the plastic retainer and relocate them outside retainer, and re-install the cluster. This will give you about another 1/4 inch of contact. Usually this fixes the problem you describe.

[/ QUOTE ]

Good call dorfs. That would be my guess too.

 

[Guest]

No dice there either. I pulled the 2 connectors off the metal housing behind the dash and re-connected them and still got nothing. I also tried the reset thing u mentioned as well but since I have no power to illuminate the odometer, its hard to tell if it reset or not. The only thing I can get as of now are the turn signals and all the secondary lights to come on (abs, seatbelt, airbag, etc). Is there a single power lead for all the primary ones? There might have been a break in the wire somewhere i'm speculating but I still don't have color codes or a specific direction to take on this.

 

[dorfs]

I don't know if this helps, see attachment

 

[JBTater]

Admiral,
If you have a broadband connection, I might be able to help ya. I have a schematic I can e-mail you, but it's a pretty big file (21MB pdf).
Let me know.
Jim

 

[Guest]

I sent u an email with my email addy. I have a cable connection so feel free to send away

 

[Guest]

happy days are here again! I found the problem!! Under the hood where the ECM is located approx. 2 feet from the plug goin into the ECM there's a twisted wire that for some reason has a fusible link along its length. IT WAS BROKEN!!!! So I jumped it and solved the problem. I find it odd tho that such a newer model jeep would have a fusible length in the wiring like that.... Anyhow thanks guys for the assistance! You were all helping me in an indirect way regardless of where the problem was!

 

[peteyg]

The fusible link is there to protect the ECM in case something gets accidentally grounded or shorted out. Otherwise, a power spike will go right into the relay box and fry all those components. Better a $2.00 fusible link than everything else. You should seriously think about replacing that link. You can get it at most auto parts stores. Glad you found the problem!

 

[Dirt Dog]

Glad you found it and let us know what it was. That might help others in the future.
BTW chrysler in general has used fusible links more than any other auto manufacture. Most still have a few, but they tend to have more. IMHO