JodyG

I searched this site and still not sure if I have found the answer. I have two Jeep Cherokees, a 1996 - 4 wheel and a 1998 - 2 wheel.
The 98 has always had some kind of electrical issues. First the rear dome light would not off so I simply removed the blub. The rear hatch dash light has always come on and off at will. At the beginning of fall the electric fan motor would not turn off (I temp. unplugged it.) Now, whenever I turn on the left blinker both of the rear turn signals blink. If I hit the right turn signal first then the left it works OK.
Also the check gauge light comes on for a few minutes before the gauges start working.
Do I need to call the Ghost Hunters?
Thanks

SeriousOffroad

No, you need to start physically tracing the applicable wires and look for shorts and/ot bad grounds.

Dome lights that won't shut off are typically caused by a bad door switch.

saltybreeze

though it might take me forever to understand this all; i really am glad to see the information shared about electrical because it is the only problem i have ever really had with my jeep (except for the AC leak (where you have to open up the dash or some real expensive event like that), but here is what mine does, always random and never able to permanently get fixed: 1. the turn signals and hazards stop working then work, 2. speakers in front of car will not stay "on", electric windows (which i hate) won't stay connected in the doors (drivers side continues to work for all sides)
so, how can i get a diagram to help me figure this out. i keep paying people to do it and it works for about 2 weeks then all goes awry again.

JodyG

Wouldn't the door switch effect both front and rear dome light? Also is it possible to have that many faulty grounds?

It just that the problem moves throughout the Cherokee. Didn't know if there is a central module that may need to be replaced.

Thanks

dustycamper

I know that on my 90 limited I have replaced every bulb in the whole jeep and have traced down every wire that i can get to and my turn signals and dash light still continue to malfuntion, my mechanic won't even touch it no more as far as electrical goes,

SeriousOffroad

Sometimes ya just got to start following the wires. Pull trim, pull carpet, fingers on every wire.

saltybreeze

oh man, that is crushing news! pull out all that stuff and follow wires. that's why no mechanic will do it for me..they go for the short fix..and then the problems come back. i may just have to live w/o some things as i need alot more free time if i am going to conquer this electrical stuff!

thundaluvin

Welcome XJ wiring 101 lol. Don't worry we all have had wiring issues.

saltybreeze

so where does the JEEP company stand on this? has it gotten better? just curious

DannyH

I have this exact problem with my '99. I found that if you only push the left turn signal down partially (before it 'clicks') then only the left blinker will come on. An annoyance, but I've learned to live with it.

Hope it works for you.

saltybreeze

really, doesn't anyone from the JEEP making industry want to apologize to us for this. i find myself laughing as everyone keeps telling their electrical "ghost" stories! my blinkers have done the same thing, push down on the left and both back lights start blinking, course since they do not do it every time no one can fix it (yeah, yeah, i know tear out the trim and carpet and follow the wires). so, thanks for the new tip on the blinker!
now, any easy fix for the front speakers staying on?

SeriousOffroad

You've got to be kidding.

Just because some folks aren't electrically savy you think the manufacturer is to blame when they can't fix their own problems.

How about grabbing an FSM and READING the darn thing. Wiring is not voodoo or black magic if you take the time to learn the basics.

Everything yo need to do basic electrical troubleshooting:
From the source,
Into the control,
Out of the control,
Into the load
Out of the load
Back to the source.

The Source is the battery or power circuit.
The Control is exactly that (Switch or set of contacts).
The Load is the component doing the work (light, radio, motor, etc).
Return to the source is done via a Ground.

Here's another beauty for you:
If a known voltage is applied to a LOAD and LOAD fails to operate, then the Load is bad.

If the Load operates properly then the balance of the system is suspect.

No need to reinvent the wheel, no need to bash the manufacturer.

saltybreeze

let's just leave it at this...there are frequent and frustrating problems with wires in the Cherokee and with finding someone who can fix them the first, or even second time. but, as is the AMERICAN SPIRIT i will fix the darn thing myself! so thanks for the tips!

rod93

thats ok i got you all i have a 93 cherokee country 4.0l high output i have replaced fuel pump relay, fuel pump, wires to the pump and now the ecu. and yet i still have no power to my fuel pump the rig was running when i bought it. i was just driving one day and it just died done. i'v tested all the other relays and fuses everything is good this truck just doen't want to run any ideas would be helpfull!