I feel your pain friend, and I've tried to find the info. but can't find it for the '96. I'm sure some of these XJ experts will chime in to help you out.

 

thanks i still have my fingers crosssed lol

 

Any help out there?

 

I had the same problem with my 96 xj, but with the small 20 amp fuse. it turned out that my stereo's power cable came loose and was jiggling around in my dash, occasionally hitting something metal and jumping a spark. when that fuse died then my power windows and door locks wouldn't work.
This info probably doesn't really help, but I thought I'd mention it.

 

I'm having the exact same problem.I have been blowing a small 30-amp fuse.It happened yesterday.Went to lunch came out and went to drive off blew it.No ignition but cranks.Put one in drove home.Went somewhere today came home.Went out somewhere.Came out started it went to drive off blew it.Put a new one in started the Jeep, went to drive off blew it.Put Another one in and drove home and now I'm typing this. I need an owner's manual.Plz someone need help.

 

If you go to jmartinez picture of his fuse lid/fuse-relay box it is the small light green 30-amp fuse in which I'm having the problem with.

 

plz help still cant find a owners manual.96 xj small 30 amp light green

 

I had the exact same problem on my 95. Have you checked for DTC's (Diagnostic trouble codes)? I can't remember if your check engine light needs to be on to get a code, however you can always check. My issue was a bad fuel injector that was blowing the fuse.

Good luck.

http://www.allpar.com/fix/80s-codes.html

 

we ran the scanner on the truck and it came up with a p1389 code which basically says that its not getting a signal from the asd relay. Im assuming that popped up when i unplugged the relay.

 

theres got to be somebody out there with a 96 that can help me out

 

The only thing I can suggest is for you to PM 5-90 and ask for his help/advice. https://www.cherokeeforum.com/members/5-90-711/
He pretty smart on Jeep stuff.

 

I have a 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee, and if by chance you've solved your issue i can perhaps help someone else out, these are some pics of the fuse locations and descriptions from the owners manual as well as the relay center under the hood. I realize there aren't many resources available online so if you need anything like wiring diagrams i can supply those as well, hope it helps.

relay locations
http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/q...9/100_1700.jpg

relays pg 1
http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/q...9/100_1704.jpg

relays pg 2
http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/q...9/100_1705.jpg

fuse locations
http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/q...9/100_1701.jpg

fuses pg 1
http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/q...9/100_1702.jpg

fuses pg 2
http://i441.photobucket.com/albums/q...9/100_1703.jpg

also you seem to be having the exact problem im dealing with now...if its the power control module you might need to be running a 20 amp...at least that's what it say on mine, but i'm in a zj so who knows if its correct, and as far as the ignition turning but not catching- check your radio if it's aftermarket sometimes the smallest bits of metal touch and short things, in fact if you have the time, check all your wires, i'm in the process of rewiring my o2 sensor so it could be that for mine, these trucks are full of electrical probs so patience and cool headedness will work wonders, good luck!

 

Hmm you have the same fuse layout as mine but since I have just the regular cherokee the fuses closest to the relays look to be different. Can you look and tell me what the 2nd 20 amp fuse connect to? Im talking about the mini fuses on the bottom row closes to the relays it goes 15a 20a and 20a. the 2nd one on my truck is a 30a

 

the 2nd 20(middle row closest to the fan) is the Powertrain Control Module/Automatic Shutdown Relay, the one directly behind it is the transmission control relay-i would assume it's the same on the cherokee as it is on the grand cherokee, i'm not sure if you have the diagram on the underside of your relay box, and if you dont the previous owner may have supplemented a 30 for a 20 if it kept popping(which is a serious fire hazard)
but regardless of what the amperage is/is supposed to be won't help you until it's actually fixed.

Honestly your problem sounds exactly what i was dealing with, as it turns out the most common reason the PCM/ASR 20 amp fuse blows is when an Oxygen Sensor has a bad ground, which results in a short that will almost always blow the fuse, check the wiring from your harness, to the O2 sensors to see if you have any bare wires that might be touching metal, its a surprisingly common problem that they get old droop and rub on the drive shaft causing extreme wear to the point that it shorts out, I myself misjudged the problm from bad fuel pump to bad computer, all expensive none were right, sure enough in the end it was a bare wire, it's easy to check and cheap to fix, let me know if you have any other questions and i'll see if i can get the info for you. hope this helps!

 

Great advice. He's been chasing this elusive problem and no one seemed to know the cause.