Hello. I looked through other threads and could not find an answer for it. I purchased a 1999 Jeep Cherokee XJ, with some electrical issues. It has the the AW4 automatic transmission. It keeps popping the #10 kick panel fuse. When I put the vehicle in reverse, the back up lights do not come on. The bulbs are good. When I look at the fuse schematics, the "back up lamp switch" may be the issue. Some info. that I get says that it is incorporated into the Neutral Safety Switch. Other info. says that it is a "stand alone" switch. Which information is correct? Thank you for your time and assistance.

 

I will try to send a copy of the wdm. For the 4.0. AW4 left hand drive the voltage thru fuse 10 goes thru the transmission range sensor, which passes voltage through to the backup lights in R. I think this is a different switch from the NSS. At the same time in R it sends same voltage into the TCM. To fix this you will need a box of #10 fuses and or a multi meter . Simplest start..remove the bulbs see if fuse blows...next step unplug TCM see if fuse blows. Further investigation. The range sensor IS the NSS The stand alone back up switch is for manual tranny

 

Thanks for your iinfo. The fuse only blows when I put the transmission in reverse.

 

Yes, when in rev you feed the back up lights and the transmission control module as the voltage from fuse 10 goes through the R contact of the NSS so do the above steps one at a time and then put in R to narrow down the shorted segment

 

The NSS is what turns on the reverse lights. There is no separate switch on the AW4 automatic. Usually when the switch is a problem, it's corroded inside and the backup lights or starting don't work. I've never seen one cause a short that pops the fuse. That #10 fuse is supposed to be a 15-amp, btw.

I'm willing to bet you have a short somewhere between the reverse bulb sockets and the NSS. If you have a meter, unplug the NSS which sits on the passenger/right side of the trans. Then measure for continuity either across the bulb socket or at the NSS connector. Below is the pinout for the NSS, aka transmission range sensor, aka PRNDL switch.

 

"lawsoncl" I would like to thank you for your answer and explaination. You were and still are correct. I was not the NSS. I followed the wires on the drivers side rear to where it connected into the trailer wiring harness. Four wires had some serious damage to them. I repaired the wires, and I now have reverse lights with no blow fuses. Thank you once again.

 

Cool, glad to hear you got it fixed!