Weird Gauge Cluster Prob in 98 TJ

[TJ Sparky]

Sometimes when I start my TJ the gauges won't work at all. When I turn it off and start it again right away they will work for a couple of seconds and then shut off. And sometimes when they don't work I'll turn on my lights and all of a sudden the gauges will come on.

So what could the prob? Bad Ground, Loose Wire, Alt not producing enough of a charge........

Has anyone experienced anything similar?

Thanks in Advance!!

[RckyMtnTJ]

Sounds like the all too common poor connection. Pull your dash cluster out, disconnect the electrical connection and give the pins a slight twist, and maybe add some dielectric grease.  Likely just making a bad connection.

HTH

[rangerdanger]

Is it just your guages, or does your radio not work when the guages go funny? If so check your power distribution block under the hood, fuse #17 affects both guages and the radio, its a 10A mini fuse

[RckyMtnTJ]

I wouldn't really suspect a fuse if they work sometimes and not other times.  When mine did it, if I remember correctly, all gauges would drop to zero while driving and check engine and other lights would come on.  They would either come back on their own or a smack on top of the dash seemed to get them working again.  I think its about 8 or so screws to get the dash cluster out to try tweaking the pins.  It definitely wouldn't hurt to check all fuses first though.

[TJ Sparky]

  For anyone that suffers the same prob heres the fix:

   I took out the gauge cluster, with some needle nose pliers I gave each of the metal prongs a slight twist, added some dielectric grease and the prob is gone. It took about 30 - 45 mins including taking the dash apart and putting it back together.

  Thanks to RckyMtnTJ for the solution!