Is the above bold print when the engine is running or with the engine turned off/key off?

 

Double standard, because is not a woman ?

 

Yah, he's sweet on Hunter.

Tee Hee

 

Running

 

I would go one step at a time. Electical issuse royally **** me off.

#1.Check all your bulbs. You would be suprised to know what a shorted out bulb could do.

#2 pull the fuse that controls your cluster lights. Then try to see if the problem goes away. If that doesn't work then try another fuse. Just open up your manual and look to see what each fuse controls. what i would do is list all the problems that i had, write it all down in a note book. Then look at the fuses to see which one that might be the gremlin.You need to find out what circuit is giving you a problem.

#3 get a flashlight and look under your dash and see if the brake pedal is getting caught up in your wiring.

#4 go take a look at google images on grounds for your model jeep. When a ground is loose it will do all sorts of silly things. If i was you I wouldn't be waiting for a direct answer to your electrical problems.

 

When asking for help here and not listening to test procedures why ask.

 

Try checking the light activity with the ignition to OFF/LOCK, key removed.

Then do it with the ignition key to RUN/ON, with the engine not running.

Some light circuits are fused in the Junction Block (JB) when the ignition is to RUN positin and others are fused in the Power Disribution Center (PDC) with the ignition switch OFF.

If it can be determined at what ignition switch position what happens may determine what fuses can be pulled inorder to isolate a circuit.

Make a comprehensive List of lights activity with the ignition switch in the positions I stated.

 

Okay so after a couple long cold hours I have eliminated a few option, and possibly discovered others:

- all of my bulbs are good in the rear
- the sockets in the rear are not corroded and they are not shorting at or around the sockets
- the brake pedal is not hitting or shorting on any wires
- I took apart under the dash and all
Of the wires looked good and were got shorting out and I wiggled/ pushed on all of the plugs
- rechecked all the fuses...again... Still good
- I did realize however that when the headlights are on an the brakes lights turn on, and I push the brake pedal the lights do get brighter, not much but they do get brighter.
- having the key on/off or the engine running doesn't change anything on the tail lights

Also... how many amp fuse should the IOD be? The PO had a 20a in so I replace that when it blew recently. I know the IOD relates to dash lights and stuff so that may be an issue?????? Ill Look up the proper fuse (if 20a is incorrect) and throw it in there. I'm open to ANYTHING at this point. And thanks for all the help guys. Glad the forum got my back

 

Okay.....
I still have all the problems mentioned in previous post(s) and have slowly been eliminating certain sources of theses issues


So my front left headlight was out so I replaced it. This didn't help anything as far as I could tell, but it can't hurt things either.

I also re checked all my fuses just for ha's and when I got to the IOD fuse I noticed it was a 20a fuse. This didn't sit okay with me because I had read in numerous places that it would be a 10a. Switched it out, didn't blow, but this is where I started to see changes:

1. When I turn on the running lights ( key on and off) the front will come on as normal, and surprisingly so do the rear!!!! Aha I fixed it. Nope.... Catherine wouldn't let me off that easy. When I push the brakes the brake lights come on and stay on........ Ugh

2. When I turn the headlights on the brake lights come on (and stay on) automatically so that wasn't even close

3. With all lights on, when I push the brakes the radio and odometer still dim but no 'night time' interior lights come on as they had before

4. When headlights and running lights are on 'night time' lights are also no where I be found.

I have concluded that the dimming is Catherine telling me that something is wrong (similar I how some cars blinkers speed up when a bulb or something is out) logical? Maybe not but I need some peace of mind.

Next step for me is to replace headlights switch, then the brake light switch and maybe turn signal switch.

Is there anyway to test these?????

Thanks for all your guys help.

It's gonna warm up later this week so I can take care of the body work ( oh right.... That giant hole in the) pics will come

 

Just throwing this in the air but do you good dry carpet? Reason i ask this is beacuse most jeeps run there wires on the floor board under the carpet. With all this snow/rain plus it being ice cold so long you think maybe that some of the wires may be sitting in water? Long shot yes but my jeep leaks when there is rain. Also getting in and out. Makes for wet carpet. You can always take a look. Like i said long shot but most times electrical gremlins hide in the weridiest places. Hope you get it going. You also may want to take a closer look at the fuse and see what it controls. Then hop on google for a wiring diagram. Electrical problems are the worst. Hope the best. Sorry for the long write.

 

You know what. My carpet(s) have been rather wet lately. I've been thinking about pulling the carpet later cuz I'm sick of smell and I'm sure they have already started rusting out. I will investigate that and take a peak under. Thanks for the speedy response

 

Chill man. I love your excitement but you need to learn to relax and follow the process.

Start your Jeep and disconnect your NSS. Test your running and brake lights and confirm they experience the same issues as before.

I agree with Serious that it's probably not causing this but I also agree with Freegdr that the last electrical component installed must be eliminated as a culprit no matter how unlikely it is to be the source.

 

Already went through. Both plugged in and unplugged the NSS has no affect on the symptoms I've been having. I'll check it again tomorrow. I Guess I can't be too sure...


Thanks again for all your help, I wish I could be of more assistance I all of you guys

 

LOL, that comment was supposed to post 10 comments earlier.

You're making good progress. Do you know if the PO hacked in a trailer harness? These can often be the source of issues. The wet carpet could be an issue as well. I know very little about 97+ XJs but you seem to be in good hands.

 

What would the trailer harness have to do with these issues?

And yes it seems as tho the PO did out in an aftermarket harness and at some point squished it into the shape of an oval so I can't use a trailer. Not a big deal for me at least. Could this really be causing all these problems.