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.

No brake lights!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 4, 2010 | 09:27 AM
  #1  
Morat's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 74
From: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default No brake lights!

Hello,
I've had a look through similar problems and I think it's the brake light switch. I'm not sure I want to test it using the cruise control... but still.

The hazards work, but neither brake light comes on. All other lights are fine.

Could someone tell me how you change the brake light switch? I'm not familiar with the underside of the dashboard - it looks very full of wires!

Thanks
Morat
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2010 | 10:10 AM
  #2  
trans_am7935's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 1,844
Likes: 4
From: Glen Burnie, MD
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 H.O. K&N, Borla headers, custom down pipe, magnaflow hi-flo cat, flowmaster to turn down tip
Default

i would check the bulbs first, then go to the light switch. but it is located about 12 inches above the rubber brake pedal stomp pad on the shaft. it is actually quite easy to remove, and about 20 bucks or so to change
Reply
Old Dec 4, 2010 | 10:18 AM
  #3  
freegdr's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Default

to test the switch check for power in the plug if it has power use a jumper wire to see if lights come on if not install new switch as sure as bulbs are good
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2010 | 01:20 PM
  #4  
Morat's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 74
From: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

OK, thanks for the help so far!

I have tested the brake switch by seeing if the brakes disconnect the cruise control, which they did. If that isn't a good test I'll have to test it with a meter but I didn't want to disturb it unless I have to.

I have replaced the bulbs, no change. I tested the bulbs when I got indoors and they worked fine.

So.. .it's (probably) not the brake switch, it's not the bulbs, and it is definitely both sides. All the other lamps work fine front and back.

Can I confirm that the fuse is shared with the hazard lights? Because I'm starting to wonder what on earth it can be that takes out both brake lights, but only the brake lights

Cheers,
Morat
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2010 | 01:47 PM
  #5  
freegdr's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Default

jump the plug on the brakje light switch ..................................
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2010 | 01:55 PM
  #6  
Morat's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 74
From: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

RightO, guess I should have done that the first time. Sorry.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2010 | 02:06 PM
  #7  
91familyxj's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas
Year: 1996 Limited
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 5.2
Default

Make sure the bracket the switch mounts to has not moved and the switch is moving enough to turn on and off
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2010 | 03:15 PM
  #8  
Morat's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 74
From: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Now I've got my head in there, the brake switch seems to be in the right place and clicks just as the brake pedal moves from rest. I've disconnected the wire, and there are six contacts with most of them getting two wires each on the vehicle side of the connector. Which contacts do I short out to test the brake lights? I'm wary of shorting the wrong ones just in case.....
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2010 | 03:18 PM
  #9  
freegdr's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Default

six connector what year is this mine has two
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2010 | 03:21 PM
  #10  
Morat's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 74
From: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Mine's a 96 with cruise and ABS (I don't know if that matters but I'm listing everything here!)
The bit I have disconnected is the connector with the arrow to it (switch connector and harness)
What's the other one for?


Last edited by Morat; Dec 6, 2010 at 03:36 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2010 | 03:48 PM
  #11  
freegdr's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Default

all electrical diag im lookng at show pink/darkblue to white white/tan the only show those two wires for the rear brake lights do you see those
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2010 | 03:58 PM
  #12  
freegdr's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Default

that swithch is not very much did you check the fuses maybe it slipped like stated earlyer on here plg it back in and push in the hole further
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2010 | 04:09 PM
  #13  
Morat's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 74
From: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Found em! But they didn't make the brake lights come on
I guess I'm looking for shorts and grounds?
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2010 | 04:10 PM
  #14  
Morat's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,456
Likes: 74
From: North Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by freegdr
that swithch is not very much did you check the fuses maybe it slipped like stated earlyer on here plg it back in and push in the hole further
OK, could we double check which fuse it is? Let's hope I've just been dumb - I'm learning to live with that....
Reply
Old Dec 6, 2010 | 04:11 PM
  #15  
freegdr's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Default

whats the switch above does it have thos colors
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:11 PM.