QuestionA friend's son just got a 99 Cherokee and recently the instrument cluster went dead, no gauge functions at all, check engine and ABS lights on. Found above TSB #'s and the problem seemed to match the diagnosis but couldn't find the remedy. The vehicle has the 4.0L engine, auto trans. I did find the braided ground strap that goes between the back of the cylinder head to the fire wall had corroded and broken, but can't find anything else amiss. Was going to try to wait to call a dealership on Monday about the TSB's but the kid needs his car for work. Anny assistance you could give would be deeply appreciated, as I said, I'm doing this as a favor to the kid as his father is one of those people who knows everything and nothing at the same time. Thank you.
Answer1999 Jeep Truck Cherokee 2WD L6-4.0L VIN S Copyright © 2011, ALLDATA 10.50PE Page 1
Technical Service Bulletin # 08-15-99 Date: 990521
Instrument Cluster - Intermittent/Erratic Operation
NUMBER: 08-15-99
GROUP: Electrical
DATE: May 21, 1999
THIS BULLETIN SUPERSEDES TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN NUMBER 08-20-98 REV. A, DATED OCTOBER 2, 1998, WHICH
SHOULD BE REMOVED FROM YOUR FILES AND NOTED IN THE BOUND TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN BOOK, PUBLICATION
NUMBER 81-699-99003. THIS IS A COMPLETE REVISION TO THE PROCEDURE.
SUBJECT:
Erratic, Intermittent Cluster Operation/Intermittent Air Bag Warning light.
OVERVIEW:
This bulletin involves installing a repair harness containing a revised instrument cluster connector.
MODELS:
1998 - 1999 (TJ) Wrangler
1998 - 1999 (XJ) Cherokee
SYMPTOM/CONDITION:
Some vehicles may exhibit an intermittent illumination of the air bag warning light or an intermittent tachometer or speedometer drop out. An Airbag
Electronic Control Module (AECM) fault code - "No Cluster CCD BUS" message will be present.
DIAGNOSIS:
Using the DRB III(R), read and record all active and stored fault codes in the AECM. This condition is caused by minor oxidation of the BUS circuit
terminals at the instrument cluster connector. Electrical terminals will show signs of oxidation, which will appear as darkened lines or marks on the
cluster male terminals. These often appear as gray or black marks rather than the appearance of oxidation or corrosion usually associated with higher
current carrying circuits. This condition will set a "NO CLUSTER CCD BUS" message. The fault code will usually be stored and not active. THIS
TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN WILL NOT ADDRESS FUEL OR OIL PRESSURE GAUGE ISSUES. If this fault code is present, either active
or stored perform the Repair Procedure.
PARTS REQUIRED:
1 05016261AA Cluster Connector Patch Harness
1 04856975 Electric Contact Cleaner
2 04778570 Heat Shrink Tubing
POLICY: Reimbursable within the provisions of the warranty.
TIME ALLOWANCE:
Labor Operation No: 08-90-90-91 0.6 Hrs.
FAILURE CODE: P8 - New Part
Repair Procedure
THIS REPAIR IS COMPATIBLE WITH DAIMLERCHRYSLER'S MOBILE SERVICE PROGRAM AND DOES NOT REQUIRE HOISTS OR
OTHER FULL SERVICE FACILITY SPECIAL EQUIPMENT.
1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove the instrument cluster using the procedures outlined in the appropriate service manual.
1999 Jeep Truck Cherokee 2WD L6-4.0L VIN S Copyright © 2011, ALLDATA 10.50PE Page 2
3. Inspect the male terminals of pins 1 & 2 on the instrument cluster connector labeled CNB (See Figure 1). The oxidation will appear as gray or
black lines or marks on the terminals. If any signs of oxidation are present, remove them by gently scraping the terminals with a small flat
bladed screw driver until the oxidation is gone. Use of a magnifying glass may be helpful (See Figure 2). Use caution when performing this
operation. Do not apply excessive force to the terminals to avoid bending them or damaging the cluster or terminals. Do not use a sharp tool,
knife or sand paper, which could remove the protective plating from the terminals. Do not use any cleaner other than p/n 04856975. Other
chemical cleaners could damage the instrument cluster.
4. Clean the male terminals with Electrical Contact cleaner, p/n 04856975. Apply the cleaner sparingly holding the cluster with the connector
facing down to avoid excessive amount of cleaner from entering the cluster.
5. Remove the green cluster connector from the bracket.
6. Using wire cutters, remove the instrument cluster harness connector from the harness. Remove only the connector containing the BUS circuit
(See Figure 1). This connector is labeled CBA on the cluster. Cut the wires as close to the insulator as possible.
7. The new connector must be soldered onto the harness. This operation requires a technician who is skilled at soldering to avoid a cold solder
joint. Position the harness and align the wires with the patch harness, matching the color codes match the main wire colors.
NOTE:
THE XJ INSTRUMENT PANEL CONTAINS ONE MORE CIRCUIT IN THIS CONNECTOR THAN THE TJ. CUT THE UNUSED WIRE
CLOSE TO THE CONNECTOR ON TJ MODELS.
8. Stagger cut the main harness and patch harness wires so that the solder joints will be 1/2 inch apart. Remove 1/2 inch of insulation from the
wires. The new harness will have a dark blue with no tracer. This will mate with a dark blue wire with a green tracer on TJ and with a dark blue
wire with a white tracer on XJ.
9. Slide a piece of heat shrink tubing over the wires and twist the wires together for each respective circuit.
10. Solder each circuit using rosin core solder. Be sure to heat the wire enough to allow the solder to melt when it comes in contact with wire. Do
not use acid core solder.
11. Position the heat shrink tubing over the solder joints and shrink the tubing using a heat gun.
12. Install the connector to the bracket;
13. Install the instrument cluster.
1999 Jeep Truck Cherokee 2WD L6-4.0L VIN S Copyright © 2011, ALLDATA 10.50PE Page 3
14. Connect the battery cable.
15. Verify correct operation of the cluster.
