V.R

Hello!
Now I have problems with interior lights and alarm... Sometimes, my interior lights wont go off (they should go off after 20-30 secs when no key in ignition). Sometimes all ok. Most interesting thing is that when i close all doors, put key in ignition, switch it to position ACC, OFF, ON lights go off (i can turn them on manually). If i witch in position LOCK, lights come on. Car VIC says all good, all doors are closed. Switch on headlamps module works, but works kinda strange... when selector is moving in the middle(when i move up-down), lights go off-on for 1 sec...

Today, all worked even more strange... My alarm gone on(started to horn) for no reason after 2 minutes... No one was near it. I opened car and tried to lock car again but it refused to lock and notified me with sound (usually it makes that when i didn't closed door, hood or trunk). But all doors were closed. hmm.

So whats going on? I have few things in my mind that may cause it:
1) bad door ajar switch
2) headlight switch? (some people say it can do such things)
3) short somewhere
4) ???

I can make a video tomorrow.

I have 96 grand cherokee

ol"blue

My thoughts are that it's related to the dome switch in the cargo area, or a door switch leaving the dome lights on. That makes the alarm think a door has been opened and so it activates. The alarm is activated by receiving a signal from the dome lights.

V.R

Im suspecting ajar switches too. but why this happens only when car is off? VIC never tells me about ajar door when i drive. and dome lights never go on when i drive...

"dome switch in the cargo area" you mean that dome light lens thats turns off interior lights when i open/close tailgate?

ol"blue

Note: see bold comments above.
There's a switch in the latch, and then there's the cargo dome light that you're referring to where you can press it and shut off the interior lights while you're loading the rear and don't want to drain the battery.

V.R

is there a way to diagnose this switch?

ol"blue

I'm sure there is but I'm not good at electrical work so I don't know what it is. Sorry.

V.R

yeah, i need an "electric master" to check all wiring. was thinking maybe it is because of some module
can this be caused by short somewhere? like between doors?

ol"blue

Send Willys55 a PM. He's great at electrical and with ZJ's, but isn't on every day. I'm sure he could give you some tips.

V.R

ok, will do. Thanks!

ol"blue

Good. I wish I could help you myself, but that's not the case. It's apparently beyond my ability/experience.
Good luck and keep us posted.
Dan

V.R

yeah, needs to be inspected... was hoping that it is common problem and it is easy to fix by changing a module. Thanks for help!

ps. i heard that headlight switch can cause problems with interior lighting, is that true?

ol"blue

On some vehicles that's true, not sure about the ZJ though.

V.R

problem solved (i think):
today, i tried to find a problem by pushing/pulling/wiggling every door to see if lights go on... and bingo! if to press drivers door lock cylinder lights go on. I remember that there were always some unconnected wire (door lock cylinder switch) on latch... so i bet it cause this problem... (its unconnected because my alarm system has its own i think). And i guess thats why vic didnt notified me... and this problem was only when car is off. So tomorrow i go and isolate it. i made a quick vid :

http://www.metacafe.com/watch/4780593/jeep/

Willys55

OK, I hope that works for you, but don't forget to look at the wires in the rear overhead door, the wire sock on the left has all the wires for the door including the black w/white wire that controls the alarm dissarm switch on the latch handle. It is very common for these wires to break over time. If the dissarm wire breaks the BCM assumes the door is ajar and will activate the alarm or in some cases just turn on the interior lights.

V.R

ok, will check that too. thanks for tip and help!