1997 Jeep Wrangler Sahara from North America - All Comments

I have read all the comments and I too have a 1997 TJ sport and live in Dubai (Middle East). I went on annual leave after dropping it off to have the Powertrain Control Module checked to see if they could shape the output to give me extra down low torque. While putting on my new soft top gear I noticed the dome lamp not working and radio U/S. I've got the diagrams and am a trained engineer, but this one gave me the willies, checking fuses and pulling out the cluster revealed nothing strange. There seems to be no logical connection and the next thing on my list is to see if I can beg/borrow cluster or Powertrain Control Module to find out if either of these items is giving me bother. Seems there is a common problem with many Jeep owners.

Yes I too have electrical issues with my 2001 jeep wrangler. The factory fog lights are on the turn indicator switch. First the lights would not shut off then they stopped working all together. Replaced the relay with no effect. All this happened when still under warranty didn't get around to taking it in to dealer as it a pain in the asset. Any ideas?

I have also experienced similar issues, My TJ is a 1997, When I hit the Brakes my left signal light stays on, and sometimes when I signal the right or left signals go very quickly as if a bulb is out (which is not the case). This morning on my drive to work my windshield wipers came on, and now will not shut off. I am trying to find a solution to this issue, as it seems many are. If you could help at all, I would appreciate an email. Also, my TJ doesn't want to idle too well, this following a tune-up. I am wondering if all of these things are related.

I have a 1999 Wrangler TJ with similar turn signal\brake\4 way problems. Searching Google led me to this forum. One suggestion here was to remove the multifunction switch in the steering column and clean it (a Haynes repair manual helps a lot).

He was “right on”!

I first thought it must be a bad ground so I reground the rear light housing with new bolts in fresh tapped holes and checked the front light ground wires to no avail.

I pulled the flasher and still had a problem with the front right parking lamp coming on when the brake was pressed so I knew the problem was more than the just the flasher.

The wire harness looked perfect everywhere I could check it so I finally decided to take apart the turn signal switch. Once you take it apart it becomes clear why it is a problem.

All external lights except the rear center brake light are routed thru this switch and if just one of the many contacts is faulty, a lot can go wrong. As earlier suggested, lube in the switch can pick up traces of copper worn off over time from sliding over the contacts and eventually conduct current (very bad). While inside the switch, I also increased some of the spring pressure in some contacts to get a more positive contact. I solved all my light problems! Go slow disassembling the switch…it’s a little tricky getting it back together.

Some people here have had wiper problems. That switch is separate from the light switch on my 99 TJ. It could cause similar problems and may need similar treatment.

I just bought a 97 TJ and it's my baby. I LOVE it. I don't know much about Jeeps, but I want to learn. Last night I was driving home and all the lights on the dash started to fade in and out. The CHECK GAUGES light came on. I got her home and parked her in the driveway. I tried to start her up again a couple of minutes later and...nothing. I pulled out my battery booster and she turned over a bunch of times and the starter made that clicking noise - but no sir, she wouldn't start. I don't have any mechanic friends. I'm guessing it's a battery problem of some sort? Should I just go buy a new battery? Any help would be great.

Hello. I have a 1994 YJ Wrangler. I have been experiencing numerous lighting and speedometer problems. When lights are on, the speedometer light does not illuminate. When emergency flasher is depressed, the high beam indicator light flashes. Also, the speedometer does not work at all. (I changed the speed sensor attached to transfer case). Anyone have any suggestions? If so, please e-mail at rchilton@hotmail.com.

Thanks.

97 wrangler in rain ck guages light all guages working, but voltage gauge has happened twice any ideas before I start my journey thru the electrical system??

July 9,2007

Two days ago my Jeep would not start, original battery (I think) anyway, purchased new battery. Installed and all is well. NOT! Today, I pull into my garage turn off ignition and headlights, but headlights stay ON, had to disconnect battery cables to get lights off. Checked all obvious sources, i.e., fuses, relays etc. nothing visible. Any HELP?

Hmrick43@yahoo.com.

Wow I guess with all these extreemly similar problems I shouldn't be afraid to say that my 99 wrangler sport red, full steel doors, alloy baja's 31x10.50 knobbys, (roxanne) beautiful no lie for a 99 has the same probs but my voltage meter will max out sometimes then sometimes I get check engine for a day, soemtimes no start then all of a sudden it starts, but no idle. when I stop I get a left turn signal. both front orange runing lights will not work but the blinkers will, weird stuff why is the beloved tj haunted with these problems. thanks chrysler I will always love jeeps its in my blood just like all you others. jeep the jeep wave going we are a different breed.

I have owned a 99 Sahara for number of years. Have same problems as mentioned above. Sometime few gauges don't work, other times none of them work. I can hit the cluster, that makes them come back on.

I have a 97 wrangler sport. One night, jeep just wouldn't start. No turn, no crank, no nothing. There was a slight clicking coming from the battery/fuse area. Replaced battery, NOTHING. Replaced starter, NOTHING. replaced clutch safety switch, NOTHING. replaced starter relay, NOTHING. No sound, no power. What is wrong?! I managed to have a few friends push the jeep, and I dropped it into second gear and it started by bypassing the starting process. It runs fine, just won't turn over.. Any suggestions, Email at viperkid18@yahoo.com, or Instant Message me at Mattssparkfire. Thanks-

Need help, I have a 97 Wangler sport, 6cyl. for over 5 years now no problem at all, Then I came out one morning and she cranks, but won't start, and all gages have stopped working, and I tried to connect my diagnostic computer and it tells me that its not connected, radio and electronic mileage still work, all lights signals, horn work. check engine light comes on and goes off, I've checked all fuses and circuit breakers, and now I'm at a wall. anyone with any ideas please email me at billsauto73@yahoo.com Thanks very much.

Hey Jeep Wrangler people.

I came across a site, consumer guide, and it had a bunch of buyer alerts and recalls and stuff about the 1997-2006 Jeep Wrangler. Two of them being dash related and exhaust related.

http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/1997-to-2006-jeep-wrangler-2.htm

Ie.

Instrument-panel ground-attachment screws could loosen over time, possibly affecting gauges and/or defroster.

Same here with a 98 Wrangler Sahara. Gauges go out, air bag light comes on and the dash lights, signals and everything else still works fine. Will as the dealer for a fix on the instrument panel connector.

Well, I just purchased a 2002 Jeep Wrangler Sahara, I have always wanted one and finally broke down and bought one. I bought this from a dealer with 61xxx miles and not 500 miles into owning the Sahara my gages would stop working all together, all I had to do was give it a good hit on the dash and they would come back on, but then they stopped all together. took it to the dealer and they said I needed a new gage cluster which would cost in the upwards of $500...me having a little mechanical background and also not having much money I dug into it and found that it was nothing more than the connector being loose on the back of the cluster, so I just literlly plugged it back in. it ended up taking me about 15 min. of work and haven't had a problem since. I do still have one issue with the 4WD gage though, when its in 4WD low or high, it says lights up in part time only... any suggestions?