Speedometer & electrical issues - solved

[Tomahawk674]

Hello everyone, I had originally joined the forum seeking help with some issues I was having. My speedometer would constantly stop working or fluctuate, and sometimes when going over bumps, my electronics would cut out and I would get airbag lights, low oil lights, low fuel, and other randomness.

I had purchased a speed sensor and replaced it, it changed nothing. I eventually took it to a Jeep dealer and they did the following items, but we do not know which solved my problems per se:

- New OEM speed sensor (don't know if non-oem means it wouldn't work)
- Battery terminals were corroded, those were cleaned up
- This Jeep has an aftermarket radio from previous owner. Installation was botchy and a grounding wire was compromised (likely culprit of the fake warning lights & electrical problems).

My speedometer works perfectly now, and I have no more electrical problems. Be careful if you buy used and it has an aftermarket radio, you don't know whose cousin installed it...

 

[profdlp]

I know if I bought a used vehicle with aftermarket anything I would give it a good going over. I don't even trust myself (and I'm pretty good!), so no telling what ol' cousin Jethro might have done. :emotions34:

Good advice, and glad you got it fixed. :cheers:

 

[kage860]

I had your exact same problem! When I bought my jeep (used), it came with loose battery cables unbeknownst to me.

Once in a while I would get warning lights, and gauges would go out while driving. I now realize that while driving, it was probably running off the alternator whenever the battery cables would vibrate loose, and any dips in alternator voltage would cause the trouble lights etc.

Then it would sometimes not start right away, then start fine 30 seconds later. During one of the extended no starts, I had the thought to check the battery. The clamps at the battery were a bit loose. Took me a week to figure it out, lol. I'm glad it wasn't something serious, for a while I thought I got a lemon or a flood vehicle! Based on my experience I believe that your battery cables were not making good contact at the terminals.

Glad you got you're Jeep in working order, you're going to love it.