Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Interior lights and running lights issue!!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-24-2017, 12:56 PM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Jordan Dodd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default Interior lights and running lights issue!!

Hey guys I know it has been discussed, and I have spent hours reading through all of the threads trying to figure out where to start. I have no cluster/shifter/running lights on my 90 model. I have checked the fuses and swapped the headlight switch with no luck. While I was checking the fuses the dome light fuse was blown. I swapped it and it blew immediately. My question is, does the power to the rest of my lights that don't work tie into the dome light somehow? Obviously I have a problem with the dome light, but that is not a priority right now unless that's what is causing my problem. Any help is appreaciated.
Old 04-24-2017, 02:08 PM
  #2  
CF Veteran
 
DFlintstone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Nor-Cal Coast
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 17 Posts
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Default

Dash and running lights are on the same fuse on my 90 is all I've got.

Last edited by DFlintstone; 04-29-2017 at 07:59 PM.
Old 04-28-2017, 08:08 PM
  #3  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Jordan Dodd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Any idea where to start looking for a problem? From what I've read it could be a million different things. Just curious if there is one spot that would be better to start than another.
Old 04-28-2017, 10:57 PM
  #4  
CF Veteran
 
CurrySoSpicy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: York PA
Posts: 2,929
Likes: 0
Received 5 Likes on 5 Posts
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 Litre I6
Default

Can you take the dome light out of the circuit then replace the fuse? If it still blows with the dome light out of the circuit, then the problem is elsewhere in circuit.

Electrical troubleshooting is divide and conquer. Start at the problem area and keep working your way back.
Old 04-28-2017, 11:36 PM
  #5  
Banned
 
nujeepguy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 1,553
Likes: 0
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
Year: 2000 and 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by CurrySoSpicy
Can you take the dome light out of the circuit then replace the fuse? If it still blows with the dome light out of the circuit, then the problem is elsewhere in circuit.

Electrical troubleshooting is divide and conquer. Start at the problem area and keep working your way back.
a way to do that without blowing fuses is to connect a 12v light, small like a dome lite in place of the fuse. it will light bright in a short but let some current in the circuit as you unhook other stuff. when it dims or goes out ,you found the "short" or excess load.
save money on fuses!
if its a 1 amp light and it dims and you read 6v ,your load is 1 amp. it starts to simplify testing.
Old 04-29-2017, 06:18 AM
  #6  
CF Veteran
 
BlueRidgeMark's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Posts: 7,964
Received 952 Likes on 767 Posts
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Default

That's a good technique.
Old 04-30-2017, 05:38 AM
  #7  
CF Veteran
 
freegdr's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Broward County Fl.
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 0
Received 22 Likes on 22 Posts
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Default

Pull dome light bulb replace fuse. Then turn dome light on does it still blow ? Yes its in switch or melted plug . No its in wiring or socket of dome.
Attached Images  
Old 04-30-2017, 10:56 AM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
DFlintstone's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Nor-Cal Coast
Posts: 10,489
Likes: 0
Received 17 Likes on 17 Posts
Year: 90,84
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0,2.5
Default

Originally Posted by nujeepguy
a way to do that without blowing fuses is to connect a 12v light, small like a dome lite in place of the fuse. it will light bright in a short but let some current in the circuit
Ditto! Neat tip! Just went through that chasing a short in my trailer. Found it to be a dead short when the small "U" of wire I stuck in there smoked it's insulation!
Old 05-02-2017, 06:50 PM
  #9  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
Jordan Dodd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

Thanks for the tips! I'm out of town for work this week, but will try it when I get back. I can mechanic all day without a problem, but wiring is my weakness. I hate it!

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 06:08 AM.