Electrical Problem and Diagnosis

USPLibby · **Joined:** Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:29 am **Posts:** 377

I've been having some problems with my electrical/instrument cluster. My instrument cluster, tach-speedo-gas-temp, has been working on and off for a while now, but now is pretty much dead except for the odometer and all the warning lights still seem to work. I don't want to spend $1000 for a new OEM replacement. Is there a way that I can test it? Remove and plug into something? Could it be something other than a short in the cluster?

Recently, I've also been getting a weird charging issue, mostly after starting cold. Everything starts up OK, the battery reads good 12.6+ voltage before starting, but after driving for down the street for about 3-4 minutes, the charging light comes on. I broke down one day a few miles from my house and it wouldn't start any more, dead battery. Got a quick AAA jump and everything seemed to be OK after that, no more warning light. I replaced the battery but the weird "charging light" problem returned the next day. After pulling to the curb, turning off and then restarting seems to fix it again. AAA diagnosed the alternator and it showed that it was good. Any idea what would cause a cold charging problem that goes away if you turn off the engine and then restart?

Thanks

Mountainman · **Posted:** Sat May 02, 2015 1:28 pm

If the cluster is properly connected (not bad or corroded connection) then it may be toast, but you don't need to to spend more than a hundred or so for a used replacement. Junk yards or parted ones on craigslist might work. Especially online junkyards. I doubt it fits, but I've got one out of an 05 CRD for cheap.

USPLibby · **Joined:** Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:29 am **Posts:** 377

Do you have a pic? :wink:

I've seen some on Ebay for cheap but they are the wrong color combo. My cluster is white on black with chrome bezels.

Based on reading a few other threads, I'm going to change the alternator first. It's pretty old now and not that expensive. Then maybe try looking at the PCM.

Mountainman · **Posted:** Sat May 02, 2015 6:14 pm

sounds like i have the right color. If you PM me your email, I'll send you a pic

USPLibby · **Joined:** Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:29 am **Posts:** 377

There are a lot of PCM YouTube vids like this for other Jeeps. I'm definitely going to take a look at these connections with my multimeter. Many other Jeep owners had the same dead dials too.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uY62r-rtvls

USPLibby · **Joined:** Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:29 am **Posts:** 377

I got a used cluster on ebay. Am I going to have to take it to the dealer to get the odometer to reset? Will it still work otherwise? thanks

Billwill · **Posted:** Sat May 16, 2015 11:49 am

The "charging" light can also be caused by the sensor located under the battery to measure its temperature. This normally does not really affect the charging much though.

You can remove the sensor and measure its resistance...about 2,000 Ohms at room temp. Then put the sensor on a light bulb to heat it up...the resistance should go down to about 200 Ohms when heated.

Could be a wiring problem from the sensor...I had this problem!

USPLibby · **Joined:** Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:29 am **Posts:** 377

The intermittent charging problem was the OEM alternator. I did replace the battery under warranty first. It went bad and wouldn't hold a charge anymore but I think the old alternator messed it up. I still got the occasional warning light even with the new battery. After replacing the alternator, which was almost 13 years old, no more problems. I did blow some air around that sensor too, lots of sand and dirt.

I found a used matching cluster on ebay and installed it yesterday. Everything works now but I'll still have to take it in to fix the odometer reading. Also, this cluster was a few years younger and the other Liberty had that tire pressure system. I'll have to try to get that light/sensor turned off but otherwise I have a working tach/speedo/gas/temp gauges again. :BANANA:

The_dealer · **Joined:** Wed Jan 08, 2014 8:41 pm **Posts:** 129

I had the same problem with mine. It happened very randomly, it would start with weird noises from the speakers the guage would stop working and it would die. I pulled about 30 feet of screwed up tow wiring and melted modules and converters. The alternator tested good and the battery would test good one minute bad the next. I actually saw an arc inside the alt right as I was ready to throw in the towel. Replaced the alt and it's been good ever since.
BTW doesn't the odometer correct itself when it does th r gauge calibration if you hold the reset thing and turn the key forward?

Sent from my Samsung Galaxy Tab[REGISTERED SIGN]4 on 38's

USPLibby · **Joined:** Thu Jul 28, 2005 12:29 am **Posts:** 377

I tried that cluster reset trick but it didn't change the odometer numbers. It still shows the original wreck salvage odometer mileage =78K, I have over 181K on my Liberty.

Electrical Problem and Diagnosis

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