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electrical problem

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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 09:54 AM
  #1  
grizzlypaugh's Avatar
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From: Boring OR
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 inline 6 HO
Default electrical problem

When i hit the brake my dash lights come on and my radio dims non of the idications lights come on just the back lights lol

Then when i shift into 4x4 part time or full or low the indication lights dont turn on. Can anybody help me?
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 10:30 AM
  #2  
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From: Farmington New Mexico
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
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You probavly have a short under the dash somewhere. as for your part time indicator, are yu sure your four wheel drive is activating?
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 09:50 PM
  #3  
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From: Boring OR
Year: 1996
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Engine: 4.0 inline 6 HO
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ok thats what i was thinking it was a sheriff rig so they prob did something when taking out all the stuff, and yes it does work.
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Old Feb 18, 2009 | 09:54 PM
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From: Oak Harbor, WA.
Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 liter RENIX I-6, DIY Cold Air Intake, 2.5 FM Exhaust, 3 Core Radiator
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Sounds to me like somebody tapped into the hot wire for the brake light switch to make the dash lights work.
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 08:21 AM
  #5  
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From: Farmington New Mexico
Year: 1991
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thats what i was thinking too, or the wires between them have shorted somehow, but that would mean that the part time indicator is a separate problem. If fwd is actually working then either your indicator sensor is broken or the light is out
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 08:25 AM
  #6  
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From: Farmington New Mexico
Year: 1991
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do any other indicator lights come on at all? even at first start up? check engine light, seat belt light, etc.
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 08:25 AM
  #7  
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From: Northern Illinois
Year: 90
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Default

I'll bet there is short under the dash... and when you press the pedal, you are completing the circuit so the lights work...

The switch for the T-case light, is in the T-case. Pull the connector, clean it and reconnect it. Also make sure all the vacuum lines are connected and not cracked.
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 09:55 AM
  #8  
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From: Boring OR
Year: 1996
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Ok, well this is my first jeep, so i will check the connecters to the transfer case, and as for vacume lines where would that be? and where would be the best first place to start looking for shorts and wire tapping? and as far for all the indicator lights, i am not sure what is suppose to come on but i do know the the ABS light stays on all the time, ENG light comes on then off, and i think that there is just a problem with all of the indication lights lol

Last edited by grizzlypaugh; Feb 19, 2009 at 10:00 AM.
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Old Feb 19, 2009 | 04:38 PM
  #9  
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From: Farmington New Mexico
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
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How are you sure that the fwd is working? to be sure lift the front end up and put it in 4H. leave the vehicle in park and try to rotate the wheels. if you can rotate them, fwd is not working and you cancheck your vacuum lines going to the front axle on the right side

And i asked my teacher at college about your light problem. Make sure that the ground to your brakelights are good. If it doesnt have a good ground, you could be experiencing feedback through your dashlights. I dont know that thats the problem but it's worth a look.
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Old Feb 20, 2009 | 09:53 AM
  #10  
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From: Boring OR
Year: 1996
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Engine: 4.0 inline 6 HO
Default

wow thanks for asking your teacher about my problem, and i will lift the front and try it that way, and wondering where would the ground be?
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Old Feb 22, 2009 | 03:18 PM
  #11  
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From: Farmington New Mexico
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
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lol i was afraid u were going to ask. I've never really had any electrical problems on mine so i dont really know... If you have a CHILTON manuel it should give you wiring diagrams for it...
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Old Feb 23, 2009 | 09:22 AM
  #12  
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From: Boring OR
Year: 1996
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ok yea i got one i havent got around to find the problem yet, i will on thursday though.
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Old Feb 23, 2009 | 10:43 PM
  #13  
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From: Boring OR
Year: 1996
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Engine: 4.0 inline 6 HO
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Ok so my cherokee used to be a sheriff rig so they do alot of electrical stuff to them, like i just noticed that when i hit the brakes that the parking lights come on along with the dash lights, well i spent some time under the dash today and found out where they were messing with the brake swith under there, so i un did the splice and then the lights turned off and everything was normal except then the brake lights didnt work, and when i turned on my lights the tail lights were bright like when you hit the brake, so i hooked the splice back up and then the brake lights worked fine but there still is the same problem with the parking and dash lights, oh and my full time light comes on now, but the part time dont. any ideas??
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Old Feb 24, 2009 | 08:04 AM
  #14  
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From: Farmington New Mexico
Year: 1991
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your indicator lights are a completely separate problem thanyour dash lights. I still think it is probably that sensor.

If eveythring was normal after disconnecting the splice then you might just want to do that and then rewire your brake lights. I dont know why they would mess with the lights like that for a police vehicle unles it happened while uninstalling their top lights
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