i have an '89 jeep Cherokee xj that i just recently acquired and its got an issue that i am having a hard time figuring out, well here it is my brake lights stay on all the time but only when my headlights are on, when i don't have my headlights on my brake lights are off but don't work when i apply my brakes, i have tested the switch and it is working properly, i have tested the electrical system and all seems in proper working order with no power draws, can anyone please help im lost

 

flip the bulbs in the sockets.

The bulbs are dual filament and it sounds like you've got them in backwards, so when the headlights are "on" you're getting the brighter setting and when the lights are off, but the brakes are on your getting the dimmer one.

 

none of the the bulbs dim when i apply the brakes, and no lights come on when i apply the brakes i have all new bulbs

 

well the bulbs wouldn't dim when you applied the brakes, so you have no brake lights when the headlights are off?

 

no i dident, i finely got it figured out, the guy i got it from had messed up the wiring when he installed the new tow hitch, i just disconnected the wiring for the hitch and repaired the factory wiring for the lights and now they are working properly again, thank you for the help

 

That would certainly do it, sorry I couldn't be of more help.

 

It seems to be a not uncommon problem with the trailer wiring causing issues to occur with the tailights in our XJs, just based off of the number of posts I've seen with similar issues.

When I purchased my XJ, it hadn't come with a tow package from the factory, but the previous owner had installed a hitch and wired in a 4-way connector. At some point he must have had an issue with the tail lights, as the pigtail itself was lying in the storage compartment, sliced off of the 4-wire harness itself.

I've since rewired it on, and had no tailight issues with the exception of my both rear blinkers flashing when I use my left turn signal. Always thought it was my multi-function switch that was the problem.... but now that I'm reminded of this, I may slice off the pigtail again and see what happens. Thanks for reminding me!

 

My 99 has the same problem turning left. If you push forward on the hazard switch it will work regularly. It's the multi switch not the wiring of the hitch.

 

Always a good place to look-the butchered trailer wiring.