tuxfan212

The reverse or "backup lights" as they are called in the manual are not working. I checked the fuse and the bulbs and both are fine and not burnt out. It is a 90 cherokee laredo.

Thanks

96Cherokee113

Probably the reverse light switch which is located on the transmission if the bulbs and fuses are fine. It puts power to the lights when shifted into reverse. Shouldn't be more than $25 depending on whether it's automatic or manual transmission. You could just pull one from the junkyard and probably only pay a couple bucks.

weebur

Auto/Manual trans?

Auto trans has a NSS (Neutral Safety Switch) on the right side of the trans that can be cleaned/adjusted but will break (the back side is plastic) during removal if you're not careful. Expensive $130-300. Your backup lights are controlled by this switch.

96Cherokee113

Better hope he meant a manual trans when he said "as they are called in the manual" . Sheesh. Definitely worth a trip to the junkyard if that's the case.

tuxfan212

Its an automatic... The manual calls the fuse for the reverse lights "backup lights". Ok I will take a look under the transmission. Only one question how do I find it on the transmission???

serountree

on the automatic it's on the right side, directly across from the shift linkage. If you're very careful and patient, it is possible to remove the switch intact, and then refurbish it. I strongly recommend lots of WD40 on the shaft through the switch then let it soak before trying to remove it, and take it slow. I replaced mine (before I learned how to rebuild it) and while it is stubborn, it is possible to get it off intact. Do a search of the forums for the Neutral Safety Switch (NSS) to find posts on how to rebuild it, it's pretty straight forward once you have it off. Hope this helps

guest02

I agree...It's your NSS!!!

Mine's doing the same thing, except i also have the "anti-theft feature" as well.

Just haven't gotten around to cleaning it yet.

http://jeepin.com/features/nss/index.asp

tuxfan212

Thanks alot everyone I will take a look at this when I have a second.

tuxfan212

Ok so I got the darn thing out in about an hour. I have it all cleaned up but I dont have specifically the right type of grease. I do have a packet of bulb grease from Auto Zone. It is in a red package but I was wondering if it was ok to use this or not. If I dont get any responses soon I will probably just go ahead and use it.

guest02

The article states; "White Grease or Dielectric Grease".

I'm not at all familiar with "Bulb Grease". From what i can tell, it's mainly used to protect the contacts of Bulb's and Connectors, it is Dielectric though!

Personally, i would use a "lubricating" Dielectric Grease to keep all of the moving parts... Moving, ya know?

http://secure2.data-comm.com/servlet...e-16-oz/Detail

tuxfan212

I finished putting it back together and back on the Jeep. I did NOT use the bulb grease but asked my neighbor if he had any left over white lithium grease from when he re-wired some stuff on his boat and he did. Everything is working now both reverse lights and everything that switch is supposed to do. Thanks everyone.

guest02

SWEEEEEEEEEET!!!


I'm no longer scared... I'll do MINE next!

jstantherprsn

I just rebuilt the NSS 2 weeks ago. Its about a 3 hr job once you know how to the get the switch off. I spent 2 hrs trying to get the switch off before I learned the trick. The trick is to take off the entire nut on the NSS. Then you thread it back on for 2-3 turns then use your pry bar and pry the nut against the side the transmission housing. When you do this the switch comes off with 3 big prys.

I went to home depot and got the electrical contact cleaner,electrical degreaser and the electrical lubricant. Its a standard item at all the depots costing about 20 bucks. I went and bought a small tube of dielectric grease for 2 bucks at the autostore. You'll also need some 220 grit sand paper to sand the copper contacts. Just watch out when you open it there are two small springs.

When you remove the switch you can leave it in park or neutral. After cleaning the switch make sure you have it in the right position before you put it back on the tranny. Alot of people just put it on and forgot what the location they set it to. Here is a good article. Pull out a meter to test all the positions and your ready to go.

http://www.boyandjeep.com/tech-artic...switch-rebuild

tuxfan212

I used the tutorial that jfxj67 suggested from jeepin worked great. I degreased it with mineral spirits and simply orange degreaser. Took probably around 3 hours. 1 to take it off, 1 to clean, and less than 1 to put back on. Thanks

weebur

Good job, glad it worked out for you (mine broke). Just for general info to those that might come across this thread in the future. Dielectric grease does not conduct electricity. That doesn't mean that it will interfere with the connection it just prevents moisture from getting between the contact points which prevents corrosion (high resistance). I don't know if lithium or other type grease conducts enough current that bridges across the contacts to cause a problem, but I always use dielectric grease (bulb grease) when working on electrical connections.

Here's a tip: When I installed my new switch I had the Jeep facing in my garage and lowered the garage door, then put the trans in reverse with the ignition on I rotated the switch till I saw the reverse lights come on and then rotated the switch back and forth so they turned on and off then selected the midway point before tightening the nut.