I bought my son a 89 for his first vehicle. I am currently working to get it to pass smog and chasing down all the little Gremlins. I am trying to figure out what this 4 prong plug on the passenger fender is for? I do not see anywhere that it would go. Does anyone know what this goes to?

 

It might have been there for fog lights that you don't have.

 

That would be nice. Just want to make sure it is non-essential. There is a lot of strange wiring patches in this rig.

 

Back then the wiring was placed for everything even when the packages for Laredo or Limited weren't included. I'll check my 1988 for you on tonight.

 

I would appreciate it don't want to waste time chasing down things that don't matter.

 

I didn't see it on my 1988 Jeep Laredo. Sorry.

 

Is it manual or auto trans?

Also, you should go to www.cruiser54.com and complete tips 1,3,4 and 5.

 

What was the first year they installed door impact beams in Cherokees? I'm not sure by 89 they had them, but it might have been the first yr. I know my 87 just has hollow tin-can doors.

Don't get me wrong, they're fun vehicles (I love mine), but one should be aware of the lack of modern safety features for young drivers (who tend to get into a higher percentage of accidents), and use extreme caution. I have a driving-age teen too (but not in the XJ)

 

IIRC, door impact standards came into play in 1973.....

 

...for cars.
I think the first year for the Cherokee was '93-'94. Somewhere around that time. As long as ya don't get T-boned.
Of course some guys just take the doors off completely!

 

I have a '90 Laredo with a disconnected plug like that in the same area, but instead of being 2x2 I believe mine is 1x3. A few XJ guys I know suggested that it had to be for extra lighting that was no longer on the Jeep

 

I would just put a voltmeter on each pin with the negative probe on a good ground and see if there's any voltage going through it. Check with Jeep off first then with Jeep running and all lights turned on. If no 12V when running, you can be pretty safe it was just an add-on harness.
To be safe, I would also check the fuse panel to make sure no fuses are blown too.