sgtskid

Hello, i am new to the forum and just found it using google. I have a quick question that is driving me crazy. I have a 98 cherokee sport and the interior lights stay on. The problem started over the weekend and at first they would go off when I would go around a corner or a bump that would cause the body to flex. Now they just stay on. I have pulled all the door sensors out and the light still stays on. How do I know if the switches are bad and if they are not, then what?

Abovetimberline

Actuate the sensors one at a time and see if they go off,if that does not work then unplug them one at a time until you find the problem. Mine has the same issue because the drivers door is out of adjustment.

bart

You havn't turned them on, acidentaly, on the headlamp switch, have ya?

sgtskid

I have checked and double checked and triple checked to make sure I didn't accidentally turn them on on the headlight switch. I have pressed all the sensors in one at a time and it doesn't help. I have pulled them all out one at a time and nothing. I used an ohm meter to read the resistance of the switches and they all go to 1. With all the switches unplugged I tested the back light and it is still getting voltage. The only thing I can think of now is the headlight switch? But I do not know the circuit to know which comes first the door or the headlight switch.

Abovetimberline

Headlight switches are cheap and easy to replace,I would give it a shot and see.

sgtskid

okay, so here is a dumb question. i have my dash apart going for the headlight switch, how do i get the **** off the switch to get the dash over it?

1996exjay

Look at the underside of the switch with the lower dash panel removed. You should see a little metal 'button' push that in and pull the **** out. You may have to work it a little but it should come out. Then take a flathead to remove the nut from where the **** was. There is a pic of it in one of the threads for replacing it.These pics were posted by winton427. I copied them because I didn't know how to link them. My apologizes to winston427.

sgtskid

mine is newer and does not have the little button as shown in the picture

sgtskid

anyone know what fuse does the interior lights? i will just yank it for now. its getting dark and i am to frustrated right now

Abovetimberline

It should be easy enough to find,or do what I do,pull all until the light goes out or pull the bulbs. I think you also said the back light was the only one with power?if so it would not be the headlight switch.

sgtskid

the front has power as well, and the bulbs in the front floor boards stay on too. I just mentioned that i tested the rear because i had all the bulbs pulled at the time, but they all have power all the time. I have checked the headlight switch the controls for the interior lights is a simple metal contact no contact kind of switch..kind of fail proof.

sgtskid

k, i have all the door switches unplugged and the headlight switch is unplugged and i still have lights on! with everything unplugged how is the circuit completed? this is precisely why electrical problems are not my expertise.

Abovetimberline

It sounds to me as if you have a short,it may not be much help but you will need to trace it back to find where the source is.

sgtskid

is there a fuse i can pull to turn them off? I do not have an owners manual with a diagram of the fuse box

Abovetimberline

The best I can tell is it is #16 in the dist box in the engine compartment,also there is another behind the right side kick panel,also did you check the lift gate switch?