Okay, update on all of this. I now have taillights and parking lights. But still no gauge lights. And now when I pull the headlight switch out one time, the taillights and parking lights come on, no gauge lights and my clock turns off. So it has something to do with them not getting power. Any help would still be appreciated.

 

So you pulled that connector, replaced the fuse and now you have some lights? What about rotating the headlight switch dimmer to bring up the dash lamps & stereo?

 

Yes, disconnected it, replaced the 10a fuse, got taillights and parking lights. I turned the switch all the way up, still no gauge lights. I think something happened when I created a short, like I messed up a wire for power.

 

Last update, MY LIGHTS WORK!

 

That connector is for the license plate light on XJs equipped with a factory rear tire carrier. The tire covers the standard plate mounting location do an alternate connection is made into the wiring harness. When you connected the plug it created a ground fault circuit that was blowing the fuse. They can't both be connected at the same time.

This is how I found that info.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/dre...-sizzle-17743/

 

My gauge lights stopped working again. It might be the fuse or that connector shorting, but I installed a cb radio and realized it happened again, but all I did is run a wire to the battery and a ground to a spot already under the dash, but I retightened the screw and the cb comes on. I just need to check everything.

 

I know that somewhere there is a loose wire, wheter it is a ground or a power wire, it is causing my gauge lights to come on and go off. They come on or go off depending on how big of a bump I hit, or how much of a shock there is, like shutting my door. I just don't know where to look to fix the loose wire.

 

fuse loose in socket ?

 

I don't think so, I pushed it in pretty snugly. Does anyone have any clue where it is grounded?

 

Is there power in and out of the fuse?

 

I haven't checked since last time.

 

There is a blue and black plug in the back hatch door i plugged em in together once and it was blowing tail lights etc. I thought the 2 wires were ment to be connected created a short. Was just a 3rd taillight wire

 

I don't have it connected. There's just a loose wire somewhere.

 

I just bought a '98 Cherokee 4.0L a couple of months ago. I just realized that the tail lights and front running lights aren't working. I changed the bulbs and swapped the same bulbs with the right side tail lights and the bulbs are good. The turn signal works fine, but not the running tail lights.

The right side lights are fine. The guy that sold me the jeep just mentioned that "oh yeah...those left side lights were intermittent."

The passenger window controls also don't work, which I realize is just a switch in the driver door going bad. But, is this connected? Anybody have any ideas?

I don't know much about working on cars...especially the electrical. I did replace the windshield washer pumps which was easy. Hopefully this is similarly complicated.

Help please! Thanks.