Bulletins


BulletinBulletin dateReplacement BulletinItem no.SummaryAdded
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
080100105/25/2001620059Subject regarding airbag / clock spring service for various models including 2002 model year jeep liberty. *tt07/10/2001
0800600REV12/29/2000080600618049Subject regarding wire splice repairs. *sb04/03/2001
18099905/21/1999606055Information pertaining to common diagnostic trouble codes caused by an open fuse. *tt08/06/1999
08159905/21/1999082098606058Some vehicles may exhibit an erratic, intermittent cluster operation / intermittent air bag warning light. *tt08/06/1999
08079903/12/1999604705Information regarding power distribution center (pdc) service. *tt05/10/1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
18359812/18/1998603111Exhibiting mil illumination with dtc $ 12 (p0443) - evaporative purge solenoid circuit failure, can be caused by electrical noise generated through the ignition switch. *ak02/02/1999
08429810/09/1998602905Subject regarding ignition off draw fuse location. *yc01/20/1999
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
08060002/25/2000609995This bulletin provides a revised wire splice procedure and related parts. *tt04/12/2000

Investigations


NHTSA IDManufacturerDate openDate closeSubjectRecall campaign
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
RQ99011CHRYSLER GROUP LLC06/01/199905/30/2000INSTRUMENT PANEL GROUND SCREW99V117000
 The instrument panel wiring ground attachment screws can loosen

Consumer Complaints


Fail datemilesoccurencesPurchase date
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM
06/10/2009120000
 My jeep lost all power to the console/dash during night driving and i could not measure my speed, rpms, fuel or any other gauges. this included both the analog (needle) and digital (led) gauges. my 5-speed drove fine though, no sweat. so there i was, driving down the road, and i had no way to ascertain my velocity. there was no way to tell if i was going 20 mph or 120 mph. it was just me, my jeep and my gut instincts. so, i pulled a fonzie and smacked the dash, and gave it my best heyyyyyyyy and you guessed it - after that all was well. the lights came back and i was doing a cool 60. because i can't drive 55. after a little internet wizardry on my favorite search engine, apparently this is simply a loose connection from the dash ground. being a jeep owner, i simply replaced the faulty screw and didn't waste my time taking it to a dealer or whining about it online. oh wait... i'm actually only reporting this problem because i wanted to validate the nhtsa complaint process. looks like it is working. hey v!
03/01/2011114000
 Tl* the contact owns a 1999 jeep wrangler. the contact stated that while driving at any speed, all of the gauges on the instrument panel would decrease to zero and the check engine warning light would illuminate intermittently. the dealer advised the contact that the vehicle had not been included in any recalls. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the current mileage was 116,251 and the approximate failure mileage was 114,000.
03/01/2011114000
 Tl- the contact owns a 1999 jeep wrangler. the contact stated that while driving at any speed, all of the gauges on the instrument panel would decrease to zero and the check engine warning light would illuminate intermittently. the dealer advised the contact that the vehicle had not been included in any recalls. the manufacturer was made aware of the failure. the vehicle was not diagnosed or repaired. the current mileage was 116,251 and the approximate failure mileage was 114,000. kmj
02/07/2010125000
 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
09/04/2010128000
 Tl- the contact owns a 1999 jeep wrangler. while traveling 50 mph the contact noticed when traveling over a bump all of the warning lights would appear on the dashboard. the vehicle was taken to the dealership where the contact was informed that recall 99v117000 unknown or other did not apply to his vin. there were no prior warnings. the current and failure mileages were 128000. bml
07/15/20081
 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. *tr
06/01/2005200001
 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. *tr
02/18/200676000
 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 nhtsa campaign id number 99v117000 (unknown or other). the current mileage was 121,000 and failure mileage was 76,000.
01/01/19011
 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. *nm
07/24/200664000101/05/2005
 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.
11/13/2005695001
 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. *nm
05/28/2004361231
 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. *tc
01/01/2004270003008/01/1999
 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.
06/01/20048000806/01/1999
 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 *nm
01/09/200455000110/01/2002
 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. *ak
04/15/200325798105/24/1999
 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 *jb
04/11/2003104/12/1999
 The dash board instrument panel failed intermittently. *jb *nlm
10/23/2002
 At 35-40 mph the headlights and instrument panel went dark. vehicle has not been inspected by dealer. please provide additional information. ts
08/14/20001
 While driving, the insured was informed that his headlights were on and that the vehicle was smoking, the vehicle was taken to the dealership and consumer was informed that there was a short in the dimmer switch, and the a/c control head. claim#04-1236-643 *yh
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION
12/01/1998
 Engine misfires while shifting up through the gears. i feels like plugs breaking down or poor fuel mixture, when at an idle there is poping from the tail pipe. i have had it back to the dealer two times they said that they could not find the same condition. it was there when i recived the jeep new and it is still there. i called chrysler and they called the dealer and recived the same report so nothing has been done yet. i need help to get this problem fixed. thank you
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - IGNITION - MODULE
09/14/1998507/01/1998
 The check engine light keeps coming on. i have returned it for service 4 times, and need to bring it back in again. first they said it was a solenoid. then they traced all of the wiring. the time after that they replaced the module. next they replaced all of the spark plugs (recall service). they replaced the spark plugs 2-3 weeks ago, and the check engine light is already back on. the dealership's service has been good, but they nor chrysler seem to know why this is occurring. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING
10/01/20042
 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 nhtsa. 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!
170001
 The vehicle's instrument panel malfunctioned. the left and right side instrument panel wiring ground attachment screws became loose. *jb
1
 The wiring cluster connector shorted out at various times. *nlm
306/15/1999
 Passenger side air bag control module malfunctions, all gauges on the instrument cluster can not be read properly, vehicle has been to the dealer but problem still unresolved, consumer states he has fixed the problem by taking out the instrument cluster and spraying battery cleaner on back where connectors are behind instrument panel, consumer states the wires have problems with corrosion. *jg
09/14/1998507/01/1998
 The check engine light keeps coming on. i have returned it for service 4 times, and need to bring it back in again. first they said it was a solenoid. then they traced all of the wiring. the time after that they replaced the module. next they replaced all of the spark plugs (recall service). they replaced the spark plugs 2-3 weeks ago, and the check engine light is already back on. the dealership's service has been good, but they nor chrysler seem to know why this is occurring. *ak
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM - WIRING - INTERIOR/UNDER DASH
01/15/20068000010003/09/1999
 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. *jb
03/02/200690000103/01/2004
 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 nhtsa 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. *ak
10/05/2005106/06/1999
 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. *jb
03/29/2005431001
 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. *ak
01/10/200579000306/01/1999
 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.*ak
2
 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.*ak
06/19/2003393180611/29/2001
 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. *ak
06/21/20033800006/12/1999
 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. *nlm
01/01/2002
 Instrumenent gauges would intermittently fail to operate while driving. vehicle been to the dealer on three occasions, an problem still occurring. feel free to provide any further information.*ak
7
 While traveling 65 mph air bag light came one. for some reason that affected 6 gauges on console dropping the readings to zero. this occurred seven times with cause unknown. please describe details. *ak
05/01/2001310/01/2000
 Lights on dash for all functions flicker and go out intermittently. dealer cannot duplicate, can not find the problem.*ak intermittent failure of display gauges at idle and cruise speeds. dash appears to lose power to the unit causing gauges to go out. *jg
08/15/1999609/01/2001
 While traveling on the highway, vehicle lost all powet to instrument panel on intermittent basis, dealer has been contacted, consumer stated that a tsb has been issued for this problem. *ak*yd
03/01/20012
 Instrument cluster panel inoperable causing odometer, fuel gauge, speedometer, oil gauge, water temperature, etc to be inoperable, dealer replaced dealer replaced air bag control module. *slc