22nd Apr 2007, 21:37

1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee Dash Lights;

I recently purchased a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee that I soon realized had the instrument panel lights that fluctuated in intensity. I also noted that the passenger side headlamp was burned out on low beam. Remembering how the wrong bulbs in my Trans Am caused the instrument panel lights to come on every time the brake pedal was depressed, I decided to change every light in the front of the Jeep. I replaced not only the 9004 headlights, (the instrument panel issue remained after this), I also replaced the the side marker lights, the cornering lights, as well as the turn signal bulbs. While I was at it, I also blew some compressed air in both the rotary headlight switch and the dimmer slider. The problem has for now disappeared.

Should this issue return, I will then replace the headlight switch assembly on the dashboard.

28th May 2007, 06:58

My 2003 Jeep Cherokee 2.8 made a funny sharp noise s only, when reducing speed. It appeared to to be the Torque converter that needed a software upgrade. I took it to the dealer and since the Dealer reloaded the software, has the Overdrive stopped working. They replaced both the TCM and ECM, with no luck. It seems obvious that the software upgrade caused it, but how does one correct it? They tell me their computer does not communicate with either of the controllers any more? Its been 2 weeks since I first took it to the Dealer for the original problem. Any suggestions please??

27th Jun 2007, 09:26

I bought my 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo a little over a year ago, and it has been nothing, but problems. It is a complete POS! I've had to repair the A/C, radiator, among other things. Recently I had to rebuild the transmission, it had been slipping for awhile, and then finally one day it wouldn't go into gear. Now, I have a crack in my catalytic converter. After this I'm selling it and never buying a Jeep again.

9th Jul 2007, 12:26

I've had my 96 Jeep since 2000. When I first purchased it, I had to replace the transmission, and just recently had to rebuild it again. I've replaced the starter three times, water pump twice, radiator, power steering motor, crank shaft position sensor, and I haven't had interior lights for years. I had to remove the fuse because one light wouldn't turn off. Now I've been told my transfer case and differential need immediate attention (not sure what that means exactly). In the last four months I have dropped $2,800 into this vehicle, and it still doesn't run right.

17th Aug 2007, 17:15

The jeep with code P0171 is going to be a vacuum leak.

25th Aug 2007, 21:51

Some people on here have said they have had a problem with stalling while driving. My 1997 Grand Cherokee had an issue where it would stall at random times while driving, and not immediately start back up, but would start after 15 minutes. This turned out to be a crank sensor failure.

Ever since I got the Jeep, the shift from 2nd to 3rd has been hard. It shifts normal when the car has not been running for long, but after a few hours driving the tranny will rev unusually high (3500+ rpm) before shifting from 2nd to 3rd. Now I just made an 8 hour drive and by the end it wouldn't shift into 3rd at all.

Is there anyway to solve this problem, other than replacing/rebuilding the transmission, that might be a little cheaper?

3rd Sep 2007, 18:38

I am a proud owner of a 1996 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Inline six is a work horse and bullet proof. Now, the down side. Exhaust Manifold. Many of us Jeep owners, especially the mid to late 90's versions, have suffer or will soon be suffering from this defect. Civil suits have been filed on the manufacture and it seems they still can't admit the design was a flaw and subject to failure. I too battle with this problem and will continue to until jeep realizes the problem and takes action fix it, (When pigs fly, I know!). I would repair it myself, but it seems slightly more complicated, at least that is what the shops say, than I have the time and tools for.

I recently had a turn signal malfunction. It would flick for a while then stop, staying on. Easy fix, replace the relay. Now, according to the repair manuals, the relay was suppose to be under the dash in the main electric unit. Hmm, as with most jeeps, not so. It, along with three other main relays, were located in a separate location shoved up and into the dashboard. Took me for ever to find it. Come to find out, it is a five pin relay, which controls the brake lights, the brake cyclops, the turn signals, and the hazard lights. Not sure what else it controls, but seems like a lot for such a small relay. The repair manuel said it was suppose to be a round relay, it is actually a square one.

Brakes. I have had this jeep for ten years. I have replaced the brakes three times, just recently put new pads, rotors and calipers. Then again, this vehicle has over 240,000 miles on it.

For the most part it is a great vehicle. All hale the inline six! Too bad the new jeeps all have v6's. : (

20th Sep 2007, 15:43

On 96 Grand Cherokee, all dash instruments suddenly go to zero, then later come back up. Sometimes there is no power to the radio. Electric door locks sometimes lock or unlock at intervals while driving. Are they supposed to lock automatically when you start off? One shop took out Powertrain Control Module and sent it out for rebuild, but found to be OK and reinstalled. Dash instruments still drop sometimes and then come back later. Dealer replaced driver's side master door lock. Door locks cycled again in the first three blocks after paying $774 for repair. After dash instruments go to zero, turning on turn signal causes them to come right back up - for a while. After engine quit on road, dealer replaced crankshft position sensor. Now he is looking at the Body Control Module for possible replacement. I'd appreciate any ideas or suggestions.

22nd Sep 2007, 16:22

Please...I have a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Limited with over 276K miles (Bought it new in 1995). I have had little problems except for normal wear and tear (plastic radiator wasn't a good design idea though and the transmission needed some in warranty work). But over all I have owned the Wrangler, Cherokee and Grand Cherokee Limited with almost half a million miles (500K miles) driven over their lifetimes. Not saying there might be some problems, but I for one am a happy Jeep owner who is looking forward for his next one!

11th Oct 2007, 01:17

I have a 1994 Grand Cherokee and the headlights work on low, but when you flip the switch to high the headlights go out. The indicator on the dash lights up, but no headlights. The Multifunction switch has been replaced twice, but no change. Any thoughts.

9th Dec 2007, 12:40

Cracked manifolds are way common with the straight 6 engine, problem is it lets exhaust gas (carbon monoxide) into the cabin and makes everyone sick after about an hour drive. I had it replaced for $900+ and it cracked again after a year. Dealer said I was beyond warranty and wants another $900. I bought a 95 Grand Cherokee and its manifold broke at 35K miles.

Chrysler won't recall this obvious defect. I would join a class action lawsuit against Chrysler in a second. Thousands of people have had this problem with the six engine.