97 back up lights not working, has power thru NSS but no power to back up light sockets. Is there a common spot to check for break/short in wiring.

 

Did you take the NSS apart and clean the internals? Most of the time you can get it working with a goo cleaning.

 

X2

 

He said that he has power through the NSS (continuity at pins B & C when in park or neutral). I'm assuming you checked your fuse and bulbs, too. That would leave harness connections. Sadly, I'm not familiar with the harness on a '97. I know that in my '89 it runs along the driver's side then over the hatch for the passenger-side tail light cluster. There's at least one junction in there, near the fuel filler (behind the spare tire panel) that is susceptible to water damage and corrosion, owner hacking for trailer lights, or just jiggling loose.

Also, just because the fuse tests good doesn't mean power is actually getting from the supply to the distribution side. Make sure the fuse socket on your panel isn't corroded and make sure the fuse is making good contact on both sides.

 

I pulled driver kick panel and power there, pulled driver sill guard had power there, pulled passenger sill and found the problem, looks like when the rocker panel was spot welded on it melted the wiring? It has 3 holes in the wiring that matches the location of the weld. WTF its a 97 never had lights?
5-6 wires broke in 2, the only thing I noticed not working was the back up lights wonder what the other wires are for?

 

I don't know if this applies to jeeps without the Power/Comfort trans switch, but if you have a trans fuse thats blown your reverse lights wont work. Weirdest thing ever I know, I found this out after cleaning my NSS and my lights still wouldn't work. Again because Cherokees after 91 (I believe) didn't have the power/comfort trans switch you may not have this fuse, I'm just spitballin here