Hey there, I'm having a recurring issue with my radio, wipers, cigarette lighter, heated seats, and power windows going out intermittently on my 2001 Cherokee Limited. There seems to be no pattern; I left for work and they weren't working, then went to drive home and all was fine. This has happened off and on for several months. Just installed a new battery and alternator. AC blower works fine. I need to get this fixed before the rain sets in here in the Pacific Northwest this winter. Thanks for any ideas and help.

 

It sounds like there is likely a shorted wire somewhere and moisture is getting into the broken insulation. Time for an arduous session of tracing wires and inspecting your circuits.

 

Thanks Basslicks. I was afraid that's the case. Time to haul out the multimeter.

 

I do feel your pain, sir. I'm going to have to do this on my wife's 300m soon

 

*sigh*

No, it is NOT a shorted wire. Shorts cause blown fuses and sometimes, melted wires or fires.

Those are classic loose connection symptoms. Start checking all your connections. Grounds, too.

 

You're right. I didn't mean shorted, I meant broken insulation. The reason I'd suspect that, is because of it being intermittent.. Just like the presence of moisture.

 

What is the common element, or elements, between your radio, wipers, cigarette lighter, heated seats, and power windows?

That's where to start. Got a manual?

Or does anyone know if the 2001 is wired the same as a 97? I have the 97 FSM and I could look into it.

 

Aren't all of those available only when the ignition is in acc or run? I would pop the steering column plastic off and do some continuity tests on the ignition switch connector while fiddling with the key to see if you have a contact in the ignition switch that is getting worn out. Unless I'm wrong, and any of those things work without the ignition switch being in acc or run position.

 

Nope. At least they're not supposed to anyway.