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Gauges work then don't work

11K views 70 replies 8 participants last post by  luckyAD80 
#1 ·
Hey guys. I own a 2000 manual TJ... when driving the gauges will work for a little bit, then they usually stop and all the meters fall down (rpm, spedometer, etc.). Where my mileage is then reads 'no BuS'. What's this all about and how can I fix it? Thanks.
 
#5 ·
Where's the gauge cluster? I don't know too much about cars, sorry.

well than its a good thing you dont drive a car, you drive a JEEP lol, the gauge cluster is the whole housing that holds the gauges, its VERY easy to get out, i dont know the differences betweeen years, mine is a 99 and it cant be to different, if you want to change the color of your gauges now would be a good time to toss in some different color LEDS (if your interested let me know and ill find the thread on where to buy them / part numbers) but to get it out all you have to do (and this is from memory) is take the 4 screws out of the panel under your steering wheel (where the headlight knob goes through) you CAN take the knob out, but i didnt, just let it hang on it, next take a flat head and gently pry up the panel on top of your dash (where the defrost vents are) it will just pop up, than there should be like 6 screws holding on the outter part of the gauge cluster some on top, and like 2 on the bottom, you will see them, once you get that panel out all you have to do is take the 4 screws holding the gauge cluster in and then pull it out, i can get more pics of how to get it out if you need just ask :thumb:

heres some pics i took when i changed mine to red LED's ($20 mod)





 
#7 ·
scgeek12 said:
well than its a good thing you dont drive a car, you drive a JEEP lol, the gauge cluster is the whole housing that holds the gauges, its VERY easy to get out, i dont know the differences betweeen years, mine is a 99 and it cant be to different, if you want to change the color of your gauges now would be a good time to toss in some different color LEDS (if your interested let me know and ill find the thread on where to buy them / part numbers) but to get it out all you have to do (and this is from memory) is take the 4 screws out of the panel under your steering wheel (where the headlight knob goes through) you CAN take the knob out, but i didnt, just let it hang on it, next take a flat head and gently pry up the panel on top of your dash (where the defrost vents are) it will just pop up, than there should be like 6 screws holding on the outter part of the gauge cluster some on top, and like 2 on the bottom, you will see them, once you get that panel out all you have to do is take the 4 screws holding the gauge cluster in and then pull it out, i can get more pics of how to get it out if you need just ask :thumb:

heres some pics i took when i changed mine to red LED's ($20 mod)
Haah true. That helps a lot. I'll try taking it out soon and if I need help or more pics I'll message you. Thanks!
 
#9 ·
np dont hesitate to ask if you want more pics, i can get the cluster out in about 3 minutes lol so wouldnt be a big problem


EDIT- i just remembered why i had the center panel out, to put red LED's in the climate control panel, so you wont need to remove this one (where the radio is)
 
#8 ·
looking at the pics again i have the center panel out (where the radio and ash-tray are) im not sure why but if you do need to take it out which i dont think you will its easy, if yours has an ashtray (earlier TJs) just pull the ashtray out and there is 1 screw behind it, and 2 screws on top (you can see them after you get the top panel off that has the defrost vents) then just pull it out gently and it will come out, if you have a later model TJ without the ashtray and just the blank there its the exact same except you dont have that 1 extra screw to take out
 
#18 ·
red wasnt such a good choice in color lol sorry, going to post this here incase someone else needs it-


here is where to pry to get the first panel (defroster vent one) off-



just let it sit up (or remove it if you feel the need) like this-





next comes the panel under the steering wheel it only has 2 screws-





next is the panel around the gauge cluster, it has 5 screws, 2 on bottom 3 on top (hard to get to, i put them back in finger tight)







next is the gauge cluster itself, 4 screws and then just pull it out gently



apply dielectric grease here-



and here-
 
#23 ·
Thank you so much. Ordered the "Cool White" LEDs for both the gauge cluster and HVAC controls. Really appreciate the detailed posts. I can't get over the depth to knowledge and information at this forum :punk:
 
#26 ·
Applied the dielectric grease... Still the gauges work on and off :( What else should I try? I think I said this earlier but where my mileage is supposed to read it changes to displaying 'no bus'
Oh so you have the no bus msg lol-



it is usually the crank position sensor (from what i have read on WF, never had it myself) but there is apparently a TSB out for it still so you MIGHT be able to get it fixed at the dealer, here is the TSB number for them to look it up - TSB 08-15-99
 
#27 ·
BTW because your problem is on and off you might just want to try cleaning the plug to the CPS first, it is mounted to the transmission bellhousing, at the left/read side of the engine block on 2.5L 4cyl and 4.0L 6cyl engines with manual transmissions the sensor is attatched with 2 bolts, on 2.5L engines with auto transmissions the sensor is attatched with 2 nuts, on 4.0L engines with auto transmissions the sensor is adjustable and is attached with one bolt


^ from the FSM
 
#30 ·
sorry for the third post in a row but i thought i should include that the car works fine. the gauges just fall but my car continues to drive and start normally. also for the dielectric grease you aren't supposed to wipe it on then wipe it off but leave it on, right?

could you post some pictures of this cps thing? Thanks again.
 
#34 ·
first check to make sure it has a good connection, wouldnt be a bad idea to unplug it and put a LITTLE bit of that dielectric grease in there and see if that does anything, if not than just replace it only a $50 part and easy to change, if you do change it make sure to unplug the battery for a few minutes before you start it up to reset your jeeps computer so it can learn the new sensor a bit quicker
 
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