06 Grand Cherokee - Electrical Problem wih Dash Cluster

[Architect]

Hello all,

I have a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with 80k+ miles. (Bought it used at 29k miles). I have been experiencing random electrical problems. The symptom is that the all the lights and gauges on the dash cluster go on and off erratically and sometimes stay off for a few minutes. This also includes the A/C system. As the gauges go off so does the A/C fan.

I have taken the Jeep to the dealer now going on 5 or more times and quite frankly, they are stumped. They have replaced many significant modules [Front Control Module FCM ; Steering Control Module SCM ; Shift Control Module ShCM(?), Ignition switch (3x), etc. Many of these modules are in the $400-$500 range. Ouch! So, I pay the bill, jump in my Jeep and on the road for just 10 minutes and the problem is back. Honestly, did some test drive it or not?

The Jeep factory Engineers have been consulted and are aware of the problem. About the only thing that has not been replaced is the full wiring harness. The Electrical Technician is factory trained and has tried his best and also followed Jeep's guidance. But here I am, now up to nearly $2000 in expenses incl rental fees. Again ouch!

I am writing this to spread awareness that other Jeep owners experiencing this or similar problems may be aware of how difficult it is to solve. And if any of us have this same problem and do actually find the real solution to this, that it may get out there for other to know and maybe spare them what have gone and I am still going through.

The Service Manager was supposed to contact Chrysler and inform them of the state of my problem and see what they might do or even suggest. But in three weeks now , I have not heard a thing. I am being ignored. May just have to go the legal route, sad to say. To spend that much money, in earnest, on a repair and to be back at the same place I started is unacceptable.

Lately, one of the symptoms is that the intermittent failure is triggered by bumps in the road, bumps from road lane reflectors, etc. It makes me think that what I suspected all along was that it is simply a loose wire, or a shorted wire somewhere in the harness.

To add insult to injury, the initial visit to service was under warranty and subsequent visits were considered out of warranty, but were all stemming from the reason for first service visit. Clever reasons were given for why it was not covered under warranty. "...a different part has failed that is not the same as the original part (FCM) that failed, so it is therefor not covered...". All these parts replaced are all educated guesses.

Question: How does one find an abraded, or shorted wire in this electrical system? The Tech says it is not a bad ground.

Signed,

Flustered in Florida
aka Keith

********* * * * ************

[Chaoul1]

I have had this exact problem. It has happened more than 5 times. I'm thinking it's the Light Switch going bad. I just put it on Auto and it never flickers anymore.

Mine has happened behind a cop also! My Exterior lights flickered with the dash board and a/c controls.

[robpp]

did they ever replace the light switch or the igniotion switch.

if you search, people have random lights on and off stuff its USUALLY one of those items. they are both cheap too. i mean search other forums, search hard. 98 out of a hundo its one of those 2 switches.

i know its been tt dealers and all you been thru, if the parts i listed have not been changed, i would at a minimum go get a salvage one and try it. heck the ifnition is ~40.

there is also a thread i saw on another forum where they did find a short, maybe contact that guy. it was a rub som ayb you have the same RUB.

http://www.jeep forum.com/forum/f67/900-dollars-shorted-wire-wk-1074127/

you need to get rid of the spaces for the link to work.

[Architect]

I have had this exact problem. It has happened more than 5 times. I'm thinking it's the Light Switch going bad. I just put it on Auto and it never flickers anymore.

Mine has happened behind a cop also! My Exterior lights flickered with the dash board and a/c controls.


I would like to know more about the specifics of your electrical problem. All your gauges flicker and go on and off? i am told be a Jeep Tech that some electrical components "fail safe" to the ON state vs. off,
(wipers , headlights, etc). My external lights do not flicker or go on and off with this current problem.

I am confused about what light switch you are referring to... the light switch for headlights, etc???

I do not have an "Auto" mode on my light switch, (to the best of my knowledge). Don't think that was an option on my '06 Laredo.

Keith

[robpp]

yeah hes talking about the light stalk. thats what i was also referring to as well. it goes bad, 06 its very popular.

ita about 60 bux for a new one. takes about 45 seconds to replace it.

[Architect]

Could that cause all dash cluster lights to flicker on and off and provide a check engine light as well as to initiate codes to the computer? example Code : B2100 yes, the ignition switch was replaced at least twice, as well as the Steering Control Module, the Shift Control Module, (2) Front Control Modules, plus some rewiring of fuse block.

[WSU_Tru_Coug]

Ive had a very similar problem with my 2000 WJ. I could not figure out what was the problem for the longest time. I would try to start it and all the gauges would start jumping and clicking. I would have to keep my foot on the gas or it would stall. I noticed one night that my lights turned on for no reason when I was sitting in my house. After a bunch of test and people telling me it was just a bad battery because they had no idea what it was, I turned my lights off of auto and just turned em on manually and have not had a problem for over a year. Sounds like those light switches are pretty sketchy and cost a lot of people a lot of unnecessary money.

[Architect]

2010-08-01 10:14:00
Update on the ongoing saga with my dash cluster malfunction...

One forum (edmunds) user suggested that Jeeps are prone to problems relating to low voltage being delivered to the electrical system. it was stated that voltages less than approx. 13.5v could be a cause of problems. So... i went to Sears where I had purchased a DieHard battery (Jeep GC requires a special (truck) battery, not a typical car batt). They tested the battery and it delivered 13.9v to 14.0v consistently.

I am still trying to solve this problem, as the dealer after 7 visits has not fixed it as considerable cost. ($1500-$2100 so far). :eek:

Another supposition is that it may be a bad connector ot loose contact behind the firewall (interior) and is the BCM Body Control Module. Anyone familiar with this component? and where to locate it?

components replaced so far


Front Control Module
Steering Control Module
Shift Control Module
Ignition Power Module
Ignition Switch (2x)
Fuse Block


One of the symptoms, is that the problem occurs when the vehicle experiences bumps in the road or general vibration, but that it is also now happening more frequently at idle. And occasionally the ABS initiates.

Any thoughts and ideas are appreciated.

Thanks
Architect
Keith

[Chaoul1]

I have the exact problem. My Whole DashBoard would Flicker and so would my Information Center, Radio and Headlights and Tailights and the A/C Control Center. I'm going to order the part soon. I'm just a little busy.

[Walt]

2010-08-01 10:14:00
Update on the ongoing saga with my dash cluster malfunction...

One forum (edmunds) user suggested that Jeeps are prone to problems relating to low voltage being delivered to the electrical system. it was stated that voltages less than approx. 13.5v could be a cause of problems. So... i went to Sears where I had purchased a DieHard battery (Jeep GC requires a special (truck) battery, not a typical car batt). They tested the battery and it delivered 13.9v to 14.0v consistently.

I am still trying to solve this problem, as the dealer after 7 visits has not fixed it as considerable cost. ($1500-$2100 so far). :eek:

Another supposition is that it may be a bad connector ot loose contact behind the firewall (interior) and is the BCM Body Control Module. Anyone familiar with this component? and where to locate it?

components replaced so far


Front Control Module
Steering Control Module
Shift Control Module
Ignition Power Module
Ignition Switch (2x)
Fuse Block
One of the symptoms, is that the problem occurs when the vehicle experiences bumps in the road or general vibration, but that it is also now happening more frequently at idle. And occasionally the ABS initiates.

Any thoughts and ideas are appreciated.

Thanks
Architect
Keith
The one thing I do not see on the list is the clockspring (unless that's what the steering control module is). On the '08 WK, the clockspring, speed control stalk, and multi-function stalk all plug in together on the steering column.

Of the three components above, the clockspring is the biggest PITA. Also the most expensive.

Parallel approach recommendation: Call the Jeep Customer Care 800 number and get a Case Number assigned. Write a comprehensive letter detailing service dates, mileage, and compoents replaced and how much you paid. Be sure to explicitly state that this parts-replacement odyssey began before the 3yr/36K miles warranty expired. Fax that letter to your assigned customer care representative (you'll have to ask for a fax number when they call you). They meet as a technical committee to consider these complex cases. Yours seems worthy of more support by Jeep.
Jeep does not typically respond in writing, rather by phone.

Then again, there's always LemonAuto.com . They specialize in these types of cases. 1-888-453-6667. Ask for Steven Toth. Chrysler will dig in if you choose to use them.

[Eaglelope]

My 2005 WK just started doing this a few days ago. Driving at night the exterior lights flashed, then went out, dash lights out (radio stayed on), then the whole dash lit up again all in about half a second. Within a few seconds the dash settled down 9warning lights off). It did this several times so I pulled over, turned off ignition, checked battery connections, pcm connections, fuses, relays, all looked good. Started back up and no problems for a few days.
I was thinking maybe the ignition switch but now not so sure. Please keep us posted on what you find.

[Scottina06]

My 2005 WK just started doing this a few days ago. Driving at night the exterior lights flashed, then went out, dash lights out (radio stayed on), then the whole dash lit up again all in about half a second. Within a few seconds the dash settled down 9warning lights off). It did this several times so I pulled over, turned off ignition, checked battery connections, pcm connections, fuses, relays, all looked good. Started back up and no problems for a few days.
I was thinking maybe the ignition switch but now not so sure. Please keep us posted on what you find.


I would check the battery posts and have the battery checked. Clean the posts real good and use that battery post grease(?) that most auto parts stores sell.

[Eaglelope]

Good idea on the battery. It's less than a year old but things sometimes die young. :) When the old one died the dash lit up like a Christmas tree.

I forgot to mention the AC blower stopped momentarily too when all the lights blinked out. That's why I was thinking ignition switch vs. light control stalk.

[DJ BoNiOmArIo]

this is a suggestion coming from a guy who just solved some other electrical problems that I was experiencing on my WK

clean out the contacts to the PCM and the wiring harness right behind the fuse boxes located on the drivers side of the engine, take them apart get some dielectric cleaner spray it liberally get a wire bursh and clean those puppies out let them dry over night and try again and see if the problem still exists ... all my deathly problems have gone away since

[Eaglelope]

Well I cleaned the battery posts and terminals, cleaned the pins on the connector block by the fuse/relay boxes under the hood, remounted that connector (looks like the dealer pulled it loose and didn't remount it, cleaned both connectors by the fuse block under the dash, and cleaned the ignition switch connector. So far, so good. It's been two days and no more dash blackouts...

[Architect]

Update 2010-08-16 07:01

Met with dealer service manager (again for 7th time) and the dealership has Jeep now and is investigating the electrical problem with dash cluster. They have said previously that they cannot duplicate the problem. Even after a ride on many major roads with service manager and technician. I mentioned to them both that cleaning contacts and connectors would be a very good idea. I seriously hope that they try that approach as well.

It seems like the wiring harness is the next on their list but only if Chrysler/Jeep will pick up the tab. (see above prev threads for history of parts already replaced with no success).

[Eaglelope]

5 days now and still no more problems. :) Architect, I'd definitely make sure they've cleaned contacts. The connector blocks under the dash on my WK felt especially "crunchy" when I unplugged them making me think there was some corrosion there.
Best of luck my friend. I know these kinds of issues are very frustrating...

[Architect]

Update 2010-08-28 10:24

Hello again. I am here with good news (but with an "asterisk" *).

As of this week I can report that , so far,
my electrical problem
" 06 Grand Cherokee - Electrical Problem with Dash Cluster" has been solved (*). :thumbsup:

After many components being replaced and, with 20/20 hindsight, we now know that some of them were probably OK, but it was difficult to know at that time.


Front Control Module
Steering Control Module
Shift Control Module
Ignition Power Module
Ignition Switch (2x)
Fuse Block



The last effort by the "team" looking into this problem was the big one:
the wiring harness.

The team included:

Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep dealer (local) --- Service Director
Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep dealer (local) --- Senior Electrical Technician
Dodge/Chrysler/Jeep dealer (local) --- Service Adviser
Chrysler / Jeep (Detroit corporate) --- Customer Service Representative
Chrysler / Jeep (Detroit corporate) --- 5 star Engineering Support
and lastly... --- myself

After all the above components being replaced and the same initial electrical problem still there, it was obvious (to me anyway) that we never found the source of the original problem. All the previous repair efforts have to be credited to a best educated guess. So, the last attempt at repair was to replace two (2) wiring harnesses: one forward of the firewall and the other in the cabin.

NOTE: it took considerable effort to persuade the Jeep Corporation to replace these components. Many phone calls were made and a lot of coordination and frankly many hours of normal business day working hours were needed to accomplish this. Many thanks to my company for being so tolerant of this saga as we called it. Some things just can’t be accomplished nights and weekends.

So… the two harnesses were replaced and now after a few days, (queue the heavenly chorus) and so far, no problems are occurring. Though, the final verdict is not in yet, it seems to be fixed. I told the dealership service department, that I will be closely monitoring this and it is not over till, quite frankly, many months of good performance.



Bottom line today: FIXED BUT NOT CASE CLOSED

An observation just after repair is that I think my Jeep GC is running better and smoother than when I purchased it from the Jeep dealer (used with 29k). I am now over 80k and the last few days I feel that the Jeep is running so much better and that I am now thinking that this electrical problem was there from date of purchase and just took a little time to reveal itself. If the problem was there at the beginning it makes me wonder whether the original owner noticed the irregularities and just maybe wanted to trade it in. Mechanical problems are one thing but electrical problems are and can be a nightmare.

If anyone out there is having similar electrical problems and it is pointing at "this module" or "that module", and they are replaced and the problem still occurs... then go straight to the wiring harness, albeit not an inexpensive way, but it may just solve the problem(s).



Regards,


Architect

Keith


* the asterisk represents the fact that this final fix was an expensive one and probably not easily achieved by one with less training than a factory trained technician.

[Scottina06]

congrats!

[MrSandman]

Hi Keith,
Can you tell me specifically which harnesses you had replaced? I have had dash and radio light flickering off and on for almost a year now. My battery tested fine, and I replaced the ignition switch (which seemed to alleviate the issue for about a month, but then once again, returned). Thanks for any info.
Mike

[Stukki]

Hello Sandman,

i had the same problems on my ´06 srt8 GC but it was´t the harness. It was a part behind the ignition-key. The Part-No. ist 04685719AG. It costs about 50 $. After the changing i never hab problems again. The information is from a german jeep-forum. There where also many cars with the same problem, after changing this part the problems where gone. Greetings

[Milous]

The Part-No. ist 04685719AG...
The above part is the ignition switch. It is now superseded to 04685719AH. MSRP is $44.20.

[ThaSaint]

Hello all,

I have a 2006 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo with 80k+ miles. (Bought it used at 29k miles). I have been experiencing random electrical problems. The symptom is that the all the lights and gauges on the dash cluster go on and off erratically and sometimes stay off for a few minutes. This also includes the A/C system. As the gauges go off so does the A/C fan...


Been having these same problems all winter... hope your solution is still working for you, thinking bout trying it myself.

[heatherbarbara]

Hi Architec- I read all your entries on your Jeep Laredo and I am having the same EXACT issue. I have had the ignition switch replaced and 9 months later I am experiencing the same problem once again. Was your problem fixed..andif it was, what was the final solution?? Jeep has my car as we speak and I don't want to go through the same issues as you. Hopefully you were re-imbursed for some of your charges!!

[Architect]

The solution to the problem for my 2006 JGC Laredo was the main wiring harnesses Actually two harnesses, one in front of the firewall and one in the cab.. A full day and a half effort by the Jeep Technician to replace.

See my original post for all the specific components that were replaced to the tune of approx $2100 before getting to the harness. I was fortunate that JEEP Corporate HQ covered the cost of the full harness and not without a strong and well documented "back and forth" shall we say.

To my understanding, all the other components that were diagnosed to be replaced were a "false positive" and seemed to be the cause of the problem as diagnosed by a group of technicians.

In other words, it was what their advanced computer diagnostic was telling them. Problem was that somewhere in the main harness was more than likely a broken or shorted / abraded wire.

Finally, it has been running as good as ever and in fact better that when I bought it.

Nothing beats a new wiring harness if installed properly.

regards,

Architect

[magnumman426]

The Harness that comes into the cabin is connected to the engine compartment harness. On the left side front fram rail is the c200 connector. We have had many issues of pin pull out here. Doesnt always require the harness being replaced. Also, any kind of water leak into the interor will cause this at the junction block under the left side of the dash. If you have a sunroof, this could have originally led to the problem as well (clogged drain tubes causing water infiltration into the cabin)

[ThaSaint]

hmm i have a sunroof...

this doesn't happen when the weather's warm... it only happens in the cold so I don't want to go get the harness replaced unless it's cold enough to test whether it gets fixed or not...

[Haley]

Hello Keith,

Did you have the headlight switch replaced? The headlights and dashboard lights have been flickering in my 2006 Grand Cherokee Laredo. I took it to the garage but, of course, it's not doing it for them so they're not sure of the problem. Their only suggestion so far is to replace the headlight switch in the Jeep. I have called several Jeep dealerships and no one has heard of this problem so they didn't have any suggestions other than to come in for them to look at it.

Thanks!
Haley

[Haley]

magnumman426 (http://jeepgarage.org/member.php?u=3203):

I did have a leak in my sunroof when I first purchased my Grand Cherokee. The dealership had to hook up the Jeep to a computer system and did some sort of upgrade that fixed it and allowed the sunroof to completely close. I noticed that above you said this could cause the headlight/dashboard light flickering problem. If so, what needs to be replaced?

[Architect]

Hello Keith,

Did you have the headlight switch replaced? The headlights and dashboard lights have been flickering in my 2006 Grand Cherokee Laredo. I took it to the garage but, of course, it's not doing it for them so they're not sure of the problem. Their only suggestion so far is to replace the headlight switch in the Jeep. I have called several Jeep dealerships and no one has heard of this problem so they didn't have any suggestions other than to come in for them to look at it.

Thanks!
Haley

Hello,

I did NOT have the headlight switch replaced. there are (i believe) 3 BUS circuits and my problem was not on the BUS cct that related to headlights. i have seen many posts with Jeepers mentioning your same problem. Mine was specifically the "dash cluster" and did not relate to headlights and wipers going on and off. My Jeep technician explained it to me in detail about how the ccts fail and headlights flash etc.

My ultimate solutions after having replaced many "modules" some twice, was to go for the whole wiring harness... the big deal...top of the food chain... and since that fix, my Jeep runs better than new. much smoother engine idle too. very apparent. i could not say that would be the same for you and others but, my guess is that i know if installed correctly a new harness (actually there are two of them to my knowledge) could not hurt at all. it is as i understand it an 8 - 12 hr procedure that only, in my estimation a properly trained Jeep tech should do, no offense to others. the senior tech at Arrigo DCJ WPB knows the procedure and i recommend him (initials F.S.)
read my earlier original and subsequent posts and i talk about what i went thru including all the modules that were replaced. some were burnt and some were just trial and error. ultimately it is the harness for me that was the answer.

i was lucky enough i suppose to get the factory to cover the cost of harnesses after much wrangling and back and forth. but not after spending $2100 on modules. so it worked out kinda sorta well, but at least it was fixed. after the earlier modules i would not be down the road ten minutes and the dash cluster would go wild. i took video of it cause at one point they just could believe after 5 modules that it was still happening. when they say the video they could not argue at all. it was incumbent on them to fix it.

BTW i never once raised my voice to any service advisor or tech and was always the picture of kindness and diplomacy as abusing them will NEVER work. just a side note on that for anyone's interest.


best of luck
Architect Keith

[ramsar]

Hi , i would like to know if yuo resolved yoiur problem, i have some similiar trouble with my car,

[sm58]

Same here, I have a European 2005 CRD Limited and my dash lights flicker off and on about 2/3 times a month.

[Knoxxio]

Been having these same problems all winter... hope your solution is still working for you, thinking bout trying it myself.
Hi Saint, I have exactly the same problem as you with the GC. When temperture drops down to and below zero, then the dash starts flickering or doesn't work at all.
Did you solve that problem?

[ThaSaint]

Nope, not worth the effort, hasn't been cold enough this year and I'll be buying a new car in a couple of months.

[tri0829]

this is really interesting, i recently have been having very similar issues i posted a thread about it here http://jeepgarage.org/showthread.php?t=36574

my problem is that im not sure if its related to the installation of my stereo and speakers, but after checking my wiring i dont see any problems i have everything hooked up to the factory harness' because i bought the harnesses that match from crutchfield.

my major symptom is that the left blinker will blink super fast, but this goes along with sometimes the speedometer and other gauges will spike and then return to normal this only occurs when im driving never at a stop, also while this occurs all the warning lights flash on and off, it only happens once in a while.

jeep looked at it and said it was that the circuit board for the rear taillight was corroded i replaced it and have the same issues. after this i redid all of my wiring for the headunit, result: fine for a week and now its doin it again. im debating if i should have jeep look at it again or not but they charge me $100 just to look every time no matter what. if i do what do you suggest i should say to them i dont really want to spend 2000 plus on a car thats got 75000 and is 6 years old

edit: forgot to mention that i installed fog lights over the summer and replaced the switch could that be the source of the issue, if you look to what i posted today in my thread i noted that the blinker issue occured only when the fogs were on, that was only today though it has done it with nothing on just not since i redid the wiring......this is very frustrating

[asuricat]

I am having the same problem with my 05 WK. Hopefully my dealer will come to the party regarding the cost of the harness