rajeff

stangest thing. the lic plate light works when all doors are closed until i tun on the lights. then it only works if a door is open.

rgr4475

Welcome to the wonderful world of jeep electrical gremlins.

fb97xj1

What year is it?

rajeff

It is a 98 cherokee sport.

cpttuna

if you have to ,run a new line to one of the parking lights to correct the problem

wizardpc

I'm confused.

Which "the lights" are we talking about? The headlights?

rajeff

Yes the headlights.

PatHenry

I'm still confused. How does the license plate light "work" when the lights are off? Do you mean when you turn on the parking lights by pulling the **** half-way the license plate light works?

rajeff

It works when lights are turned off or if lights are on and a door is ajar....yes doesnt make any bit of sense.

wizardpc

So to recap:

Headlights off, doors closed: license plate light on
Headlights on, doors closed: license plate light off
Headlights off, doors open: license plate light off
Headlights on, doors open: license plate light on

Is that right?

djgrayxj

Note from DJ
Here is a couple past posting that may help plus a schematic of the rear lights wiring.
This is a common problem with your era XJ; it also happens in the rubber boot which incases the wiring going to the doors.
I hope you have a dry and warm place to work on your Jeep because this is not a quick fix problem.

Jeep XJ License Plate Light does not work. Write-up with photos and You Tube Video
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/jee...t-work-229982/

98 Problem with brake light, third brake light, license plate light - Need some help
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/pro...e-help-203460/
There is a schematic in post 11

Suprmn

I would be checking grounding points.