Colorado Cherokee

I am having a very strange problem with my 89 Cherokee. It has 245,000 miles and I have fixed lots of small problems in the past, water pump, alternator, fuel pump... but this has me stumped. By battery has been coming up dead recently and I got some jumps. I put a new battery in with my old one being almost 10 years old. When I went to put in the new battery the power was shorting out. I thought that my alternator could be the problem with the circuity shorting out so I disconnected the alternator and short is gone. I re-connect the battery and the headlights come one always and I can't control them. When I turn the ignition the windshield wipers come one and I can't control them. Chasing electrical problems can be so maddening. I know I need a new alternator or solenoid to eliminate the short. Any one experience this type of problem before? Any advice? Could it be the ignition relay? Thanks for any help. This looks like a really cool forum!

BlueXJ

Sounds like you need an exorcism for the Jeep. J/K you have lost a ground. Try the altenator and see if there is continuity to the battery ground. If not then run another ground to the battery ground from the altenator. There should be a woven flat ground strap from the firewall to the head. This needs to be removed and cleaned and replaced.
Try those things before you call the preist.

Colorado Cherokee

Thank you for the advice. Electrical problems really are like having a demon in the car. I will look into making sure I have good ground for the electrical systems inside the car like the wipers and lights. This might be why the wipers and lights are on all the time. It looks like there is a ground strap on the left side of the engine block if facing the headlight? Is that the ground strap you were referring to? Is that one connecting the firewall and head and battery all together? I will clean it off tonight and see if that helps at all. Once again Thanks for the help!!!! I really appreciate any suggestions at this point.

BlueXJ

Check this diagram . The large woven one is in the center.

BlueXJ

Found a couple more that might be helpful.

XJ Stryker

If your grounds don't pan out I think you were on track with the Ignition switch. When mine was burnt up I couldnt get the windshield wipers to even work... Your may have burnt differently allowing them to not stop working lol. It is located on top of the steering column in the back. Pretty easy to get to and you don't have to take the steering wheel apart. HTH

89xjgrey

Sounds like lost grounds to me. I second Blue.

Colorado Cherokee

Wow thank you all so much for the advice on my Jeep. I get off work a bit early tonight and I am going to tackle the problem. I appreciate that wiring diagram and it should aid me as I get into the ground hunting. Cherokees are great Jeeps and I have been amazed my 89 got over 245,000 on the original motor and tranny. This is a very helpful forum and I am glad I found it. Once again thanks!

BlueXJ

Let us know what you find when you get to work on it.