Swapped the back gate on my 98 and a few of the wires coming through the top center harness (leads for the 3rd brake light, washer motor, plate light) were severed. Odd as I had no electrical concerns with anything on the gate and everything worked. Reconnected all wires and wrapped them, tested everything except the defroster and it is all working. Problem is I have no tail lights. running lights come on, hazards, turns, reversing, all lights function except for braking. Had a burnt bulb on the new gate third brake light and replaced it, now it functions, but the main tails still don't. Popped the drivers side panel and found an old trailer hitch harness spliced in, removed that and still no tails. I really don't want to go through the process of checking the brake pedal switch, column switches, just taking shots in the dark when logically I can't fathom why the main tails would not work especially when repairing wires should have bolstered the electrical as a whole. Wouldn't think there is a problem with the bulbs given the lights worked before the gate swap but I will reseat them and see. Hoping someone might have a logical answer as to why this might happen without resorting to those shots in the dark.

 

Checked fuses?

 

I have. Reseated all the fuses and relays. Once I get a helper to press the pedal I am going to start at the bulb sockets and move toward the front where I can get into the harness. The grounds so far seem alright but it is driving me crazy as nothing was touched except the gate wiring.

 

Yes, next check for power.
Brake switch apparently can be adjusted btw.

Not sure if you did any search but
​​​​​​​there are a few threads, like this one

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/bra...orking-225238/

 

did search. difficult to see the similar symptoms when I have running lights but no tail light aside from 3rd light. If the 3rd light is working then the brake switch is working. it is on a separate loom from the tails/reverse/turns so that would make sense for it to be working but the tails not. if the running lights are working there is power going to the bulb socket. also rules out ground. somehow there is a problem with power from the brake switch to the main tails.

 

also everything was working before swapping the gate which doesn't touch anything related to the tail lights aside from the 3rd which is working along with all other gate systems.

 

current question. the tail lights obviously need double filament bulbs but do the other sockets? is there documentation regarding the bulbs that shows wattage and bulb type?

 

Ah my bad, I read the initial post as having no brake lights, at all.

 

no worries. apparently it was a problem with the bulbs. swapped them with the reversing bulbs and all is good. except now I need bulbs for reversing lights. crazy that they were fine and don't work at all in the reversing socket, but still provide one filament in the brake socket. boggles the mind.

 

Well, if thats it, thats it!

I remember one thread where it was similar and turned out to be the bulbs. Both at the same time. Thought, nah, it wont be that here again. What are the chances.

 

especially since they halfway worked, but then stopped working in a different socket. car wiring will always be the bane of my existence.

 

I forgot to post my post yesterday but I shall alter it slightly to fit.

I've had a customer once come in as both of their headlights went out at the same time. It turned out they hadn't realised one had been blown and the other finally went. 2 bulbs later and sorted.

 

I am going to be diving in to wiring up a 7pin and brake controller for a trailer and have heard some sketchiness with LED tail lights. I haven't converted yet obvs but have serious doubts I will after all this. I do have LED heads which thus far have been fine, but eventually the battery cables, alternator and headlight harness will get the upgrade treatment but one thing I have learned over the years is to not change too much all at once or else you'll never figure out why it isn't working.