Topic: '98 TJ cluster

[Hunter02]

Got a wierd problem. I'll be going down the road and the tach and the speedo go to 'zero' and the seat belt light goes on. If I hit a little bump or rap the top af the dash a couple of times, everything straightens out. It is my belief that hitting a piece of 16 year-old sun-baked plastic is muey no bueno. All the other guages stay working when this happens. Am I ready for a complete cluster rebuild, or is there a quick fix?
I've done no behind-the-dash work, the machine has never been in an accident, and I haven't blown a fuse in over 6 years.
Any ideas?
Jim
'98 TJ
2.5L auto
105K

[sharpxmen]

something's loose, now if it's a connector or something inside the speedo/tach cluster who knows. I'd start with checking all external plugs see if you get any improvement. one thing you can do when the tach dies stop and wiggle the wiring under the dash, if that's not it push in the plugs at the pcm and in the engine compartment one at a time (not disconnect, just push them into the socket) and check if it comes back on. that's all i can think of, if you find a plug that's doing it stop the engine pull it out and see what's happening.

[Mozman68]

The dash is easy to pull apart for access to the auge cluster. Yo can then unscrew it, unplug it and clean the contacts.

[Wheezer]

There was a Service Bulletin on that, check with your dealer. I believe the problem was a faulty connector.

Wheezer