A while ago I had the climate controls go out in my 1999 jeep wrangler. Upon investigation, I found that the wiring harness connector and the climate controls had melted due to the heat generated from the electrical connection. I replaced the climate controls in my jeep, however, the electrical wiring still gets very hot. I did some checking in jeep forums and apparently, this is a common occurrence in the "tj" jeep model. I am enclosing a link to an article that addresses this issue, in it the authors determined that the uncorrected wiring can reach 122 degrees. Http://www.jpmagazine.com/techarticles/electrical/154_0710_jeep_fire_prevention/index.html.
1999 Jeep Wrangler electrical complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 53, newest first, as owners wrote them.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 jeep wrangler. While traveling 50 MPH, the contact noticed when driving over a bump, all warning lights would appear on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an authorized dealer where the contact was informed that the vehicle was not included in recall 99v117000 (unknown or other). The current and failure mileages were approximately 128,000. Updated 12/30/10. *lj the consumer also stated the air bag light illuminated. Updated 01/04/11.
Since I have owned my 99 wrangler, about every two years. The fan motor or selector switches have burned out. The last time it happened it meted down the wiring harness as well. It is my feeling that this is a serious problem that jeep is aware of. Since they have a special bulletin that allows you to buy the switches individually, instead of the entire heating cooling head unit.
1st issue: the dash gauges will go off and on intermittently. I have fought with this problem for years now. The dealer of course doesn't know what I'm talking about. Never heard of it. I have completely removed the dash looking for problems. Bad grounds? I can't tell where. I suspect the plugs the cluster slips into. I've tried to pull the mounts closer for a better connection. It seamed to work for a while. Then it comes back. A good sound beating on the dash brings them back on. Amazing what that plastic will take. All this started after the warranty expired. I refuse to take it in and pour money at it till they figure it out. All I want is to know how to fix the gauges. I'm about ready to cut the wires and solder them directly on. 2nd issue: I began smelling plastic burning or something. Later the heater fan quit working. After some reading of the service manual, I checked a lot of parts and found the control/selector switch unit heated up and partially melted the wiring harness as well as burnt inside the unit. Bought another and replaced it. Works great now. All the fan positions work again. This switch has to be replaced so often I just leave the screws from the center dash panel off. Every 99 jeep wrangler owner I know has the exact same problems. Does someone have to die before there is a fix/recall? Nothing like driving down the road and smell an electrical fire when you are 100 miles from anyone.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 jeep wrangler. The contact stated that the speedometer, fuel gauge, odometer, temperature gauge, and oil gauges were inoperable. Also, the heat and air conditioning worked intermittently on the high setting. The VIN was not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 99v117000 (unknown or other). The current mileage was 121,000 and failure mileage was 76,000.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 jeep wrangler. The odometer fails intermittently when the headlights are illuminated. The dealer stated that the repair would cost $105 to correct the instrumental panel failure. The VIN is not included in the federal safety agency campaign id number 99v117000 (other) and the vehicle is out of warranty. The manufacturer was unable to assist. The current mileage was 114,205 and failure mileage was 114,105.
Make / models : jeep / wrangler model/build years: 1999 manufacturer : daimlerchrysler corporation the federal safety agency campaign id number : 99v117000 chrysler say no recall but I have this problem what do I do?? Thank you very much gages go dead, no heater fan
The dash gauges fail (1999 jeep tj) to operate as they should including the speedodometer and tach. Chyrsler, in its first tsb concerning the issue says the repair was carried out by drilling new pilot holes for ground screws. However the problem continues and in a subsequent tsb they say the problem is now caused by rust inside the instrument cluster connector. However I have not followed thru on the issue because of the cost involved in making the repair.
Tl*the contact owns a 1999 jeep wrangler. While driving 50 MPH, the instrument panel gauges failed and the words "no bus turned" were displayed. This failure has occurred numerous times. The contact took the vehicle to the mechanic and they stated that they would charge him for an inspection. The current mileage was 104,000 and failure mileage was 8,000. Updated 01/11/08.
1999 jeep wrangler with ground wire problems **answered by ric willard** cc the recall was 99v117000. The vehicle was taken to the dealer for the recall. After the repairs the problem persisted. The consumer reached behind the cluster and when he pushed on one of the plugs they moved about an eighth of an inch. The consumer then heard the latched snap into position and he hasn't had a problem since. The heater also had a problem that the consumer thought would be corrected by recall but was not. The system changes the location of the air flow on it's own.
All gauges stop reading and drop to zero and the airbag warning light comes on. Happens frequently when going downhill at speed or hitting a bump.
Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle's instrument panel gauges dimmed completely after illuminating intermittently. The defroster blower stopped functioning as well. There was a the federal safety agency recall, # 99v117000, regarding the other (screws). The vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving 65 MPH smoke erupted from the steering column. The vehicle was taken to the dealer who determined the wiring harness needed to be replaced.
1st issue: the dash gauges will go off and on intermittently. I have fought with this problem for years now. The dealer of course doesn't know what I'm talking about. Never heard of it. I have completely removed the dash looking for problems. Bad grounds? I can't tell where. I suspect the plugs the cluster slips into. I've tried to pull the mounts closer for a better connection. It seamed to work for a while. Then it comes back. A good sound beating on the dash brings them back on. Amazing what that plastic will take. All this started after the warranty expired. I refuse to take it in and pour money at it till they figure it out. All I want is to know how to fix the gauges. I'm about ready to cut the wires and solder them directly on. 2nd issue: I began smelling plastic burning or something. Later the heater fan quit working. After some reading of the service manual, I checked a lot of parts and found the control/selector switch unit heated up and partially melted the wire plugging into it as well as burnt inside the unit. Bought another and replaced it. Works great now. All the fan positions work again.
Dt*: the contact stated while driving over bumps the odometer and speedometer fail. The airbag warning light illuminates when the needles drop. The problems occur at various speeds. Upon inspection the dealership determined the wiring harness needs to be replaced. There is a the federal safety agency recall, # 99v117000, regarding the instrument panel wiring. The vehicle has the same problems as indicated in the recall; however it is not included in the recall due to the VIN.
1999 jeep wrangler had multiple rear differential failures before 70k miles. *ts *** no answer required*** the original drive train was rebuilt using original mopar parts. The drive train failed for the second time at 69000 mile after only 11000 miles of use. This time the dealer refuses to provide any financial assistance. The vehicle had other failures which include water leaks, drive train seals failure, electrical failures, multiple ABS failures, air bag and seat belt problems, and the paint was peeling off the vehicle.
1999 jeep wrangler sahara with air conditioning - HVAC electrical issue: smelled burning/melting plastic, then HVAC controls quit working. I disassembled the dash to find the electrical connector on passenger side of HVAC controls had melted. Looks like it could lead to short-circuits or fire.
Recall campaign 99v117000 concerning instrument panel screws. Owner stated that the instrument panel gauges did not operate properly when the headlights were turned on. Owner contacted the manufacturer, and was informed that this vehicle was not covered under the recall due to VIN.
Intermittently the gauges on the dash go to zero. The air bag light comes on. The odometer does not work. The vehicle has not been serviced, however the manufacturer sent the consumer a body control module. *jb the consumer stated that her previous vehicle of the same make an model had the same problem.
Normal use of fan speed control switch of 1999 jeep wrangler. The male tabs on back of switch break causing shorts and failure. Replaced under warranty twice. The second time was in new york on vacation and the short caused a dash fire in which the wiring harness had to be replaced. Luckily nobody was hurt due to close proximaty of dealership. Replaced a third time myself due to rejection by dealer and chrysler to cover cost. There has been at least three and maybe four switches since purchasing this vehicle new. This issue has been ongoing almost immediately after purchase. Chrysler dealerships in wilmington, nc and geneva, ny where fire occured kept old parts. All parts replaced brand new and still continue to fail. My fear is the switch will continue to fail and cause further fires and possibly loss of vehicle or personal injury. With the trouble I am having, I find it hard to believe there is not a more wide spread issue.
1999 jeep sahara: pril 2002 - gauges (all dashboard guages including speedometer) stop working while driving. Replaced wiring cluster connector at haynes jeep, richmond, va.; paid $108.33 for repairs. *ak october 2004 - gauges (all dashboard guages including speedometer) stop working again while driving. Same problem. Haynes jeep advised have to replace the wiring cluster connector again. Asked haynes jeep to replace it for free as this was done in 2002 by them. They refused. October 21, 2004 - wrote a letter of complaint to mr. Richard carter, general manager, haynes jeep. He did not respond to the letter. This is a hazard while driving. This should never happen while driving in any vehicle, much less happen again within 2 years of getting it fixed. I understand this is a problem with jeeps and there should be an investigation by the federal safety agency. I do not think that the owner of a vehicle must fork out $100+ every two years just to have the guages work on a $23,000 vehicle!
Consumer complained about electrical problems, which included misreading on the speedometer and gauges on the dashboard. This vehicle was serviced 7 times for this problem. However, there was no remedy and the problem recurred. Consumer tried to contact the manufacturer but was unable to talk to anyone other than custom representative who answered the phone. *ak
Car has 30,000 miles, has not been "off road" or misused. Problem(s) started at about 27,000. . Intermittently while driving, instrument panel and radio lose power. If motor is stopped and restarted, power comes on again. *ak 2. Intermittently, headlights go out when signaling for a right or left turn, then turn on again when turn signal is off. 3. Air conditioner intermittently failed to cool associated with an electrical smell before finally failing to cool altogether. 4. Check engine light and airbag light intermittently go on and off. No consequences to date other than the stress of having an undependable and hot vehicle in miami. Mechanics unable to find the problem with the instrument panel. I am told that I need a new air conditioner but cannot afford to replace it at this time.
While driving 65 MPH dashboard indicator light illuminated. Also, air bag indicator light came on along with other indicator lights followed by the vehicle shutting off. After the vehicle was serviced, technician determined that dash cluster came apart.
My 1999 jeep wrangler is doing exactly what the recall says, but for some reason my VIN is not in the recall system as per the jeep dealer! Please help... This is not fair that the recall is not on my jeep when it's doing exactly what the recall says! Thanks.
The vehicle's instrument panel malfunctioned. The left and right side instrument panel wiring ground attachment screws became loose.
Consumer stated the vehicle horn didn't work and the clockspring failed. Dealer notified.
The dash gauges worked intermittently. When the dash lights were off the airbag light illuminated. When the dash light were on the airbag light went off. The consumer was concerned the airbag may not work properly. *tt the consumer stated the dash gauges worked off and on. Ph
My 1999 jeep lost all gauges and the air bag light came on. I found out that jeep has a tsb #08-15-99 since may 21 1999 because of a faulty connector.since this is a safety problem I believe they should pay for the repair. Thank you.
Apparently jeep wranglers are known for this problem, yet there has never been a recall. For several months now my dash cluster has been malfunctioning. The RPM guage and speedometer both drop to zero, the airbag and check engine lights come on, and the digital odometer loses its readout and instead says "no bus". It happens sporadically, not continuously. I took it to an independent auto shop which was able to correct the problem, but it began again after a couple months. I just took it to my local jeep dealer for this problem, as well as other electrical problems. (my jeep wouldn't start for the last 3 days.) they found a wire that was corroded and replaced or repaired it. My jeep runs again, but on the way home from the dealership the dash cluster went haywire again. Everyone I have spoken to in the auto shops is aware that this is a common problem with jeeps, including my jeep dealer, but nobody has taken steps to remedy this problem. To date, I have spent nearly $1,300.00 to fix the dash cluster and other electrical problems (probably all related) and my car only has 43,000 miles on it. Conveniently, my manufacturer's warranty expired at 36,000 miles. This began at around 38,000 miles.
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