Hey everyone! My backup lights are not working on my 2000 Jeep cherokee sport (xj). I removed and cleaned the neutral safety switch, replaced the bulbs and cleaned and wire brushed the contacts for everything but that has not solve d the problem. Any ideas what else I should try? Thanks!

 

Fuse maybe?

But my guess is you need to adjust the NSS and find the sweet spot where it starts in park and neutral and you also have reverse lights.

 

I second the adjustment. I talked my fiance into being my spotter while I moved it around and got it locked in place.

Put the XJ in reverse (not running of course) and set the parking break fully. Have someone watch for the lights as you rotate the switch. It has about 15 degrees of movement. Once the reverse lights come on, lock it down in that position. Then make sure that you CAN'T start it in anything but park or neutral. If you can, you need to readjust the switch.

If rotating the switch doesn't get you lights at any point, and you know the fuses and bulbs are good, check and clean the contacts in the NSS pigtail connector under the hood. It's near the dipstick.

 

Hey all- I have the same problem. I need my kid's ride inspected for his Thanksgiving break. Did you ever solve the problem?

 

Just try those first in order of ease. Fuse, bulbs, nss (mine don't come on for a minute but then they do my nss is dirty. Try moving the gear selector around slowly to see if they come on if they do then it's nss). I don't know where you live but here you don't need reverse lights they are an advisory thing for our safety inspection.

 

Did you also refurb his NSS? After checking bulbs and confirming no voltage at the socket, this should always be your first course of action.

Also (to both Tim and the OP), on my '89 there is a black plug on a single wire [black/yellow stripe] near the column under the dash that provides power to the reverse lights. Make sure it's plugged in... it comes directly from the NSS and can become disconnected.

If you would like to test your reverse lights, place the key in the ON position and use a paper clip or other conductor to jump pins A and E on the harness side of your NSS. If your lights illuminate then the problem lies within your NSS, if not, the problem is elsewhere and will require tracing.