1997 engine harness to 2001 interior harness?

[88mj2.5]

Was wondering if a 97 xj engine harness will mate with a 2001 interior harness? About to get a 01 xj with no motor or trans I have an older motor and don't wanna switch to coil packs

[Akula69]

The 1999 through 2001 XJ harness uses a control bus system (similar to the old IBM token ring setup - if you remember that) whereas the 1998 1/2 and lower years and older did not. The computer senses the devices on the loop, or bus, and if one does not respond it sends a 'NOBUS' message to the odometer screen and other various problems can occur (depending on the missing sensor(s).

I have never tried to mate the two harnesses, but based upon the computer's programming I'd say if you could actually get it to start it would be in a low performance state.

[Alexia]

All 1997-2001 years use Chrysler's proprietary bus. Mating a 1997 engine harness to any other year will be more work than just sourcing the correct year due to the fact that 1997 is a bastard year of wiring harness uniqueness. 1999 still uses a distributor and very few wiring changes were made for the interior wiring harness connectors throughout 1999-2001. Finding a 1999 engine harness and computer would be the best match then make any necessary pin changes in the white and grey rectangular bulkhead connectors under the dash.

[Akula69]

All 1997-2001 years use Chrysler's proprietary bus. Mating a 1997 engine harness to any other year will be more work than just sourcing the correct year due to the fact that 1997 is a bastard year of wiring harness uniqueness. 1999 still uses a distributor and very few wiring changes were made for the interior wiring harness connectors throughout 1999-2001. Finding a 1999 engine harness and computer would be the best match then make any necessary pin changes in the white and grey rectangular bulkhead connectors under the dash.

Thanks Alexia. Perhaps the person I got the info from was one who had a 'bastard' of a time with his....I don't think he ever got it working correctly.

[Alexia]

Thanks Alexia. Perhaps the person I got the info from was one who had a 'bastard' of a time with his....I don't think he ever got it working correctly.

Yeah, that is why I have done so much custom wiring on my MJ because of that 1997 XJ donor I used. The only year that is a direct match for anything is 1997.