I have a 1988 Jeep cherokee, 4wd, manual, dana 30 front and dana 35 in the rear. I think thats the base info you guys need.

My problem... I started with no rear lights working only the headlights worked, fixed that with some bulbs and using a thicker wire as ground. Then all lights worked minus the turn signals, so i checked out the fuses and relay for turn/ hazard.

Now my latest problem is with the headlights turned on, no turn signals work. Not the front or rear. The driver side turn signal light stays on like the parking lights do.

But then when you turn off the headlight switch everything is fine. Lights are all good; turn signals, brake, parking. Its a problem with the headlight switch right?

Fuses are okay and nothing is burning so yea????

 

most likely the headlight switch. they are very easy to swap out but you need one from an 87 to 90 as 91 changed the leads somewhat.
i have a collection of 91 and up from scrapyards just because i was trying to find a compatible one for my 90.

 

Batman, me thinks it's almost certain bad grounds are involved here. (maybe more). "If it's goofy and makes no sense, it's grounds", is my mantra.

Easy check. run a long wire, (maybe an old vacuum cleaner cord or something). Attach one end to bat. neg. and probe with the other end, see what happens. (the running lights come on with headlights, providing a ground backwards) Just try it! Not disagreeing with Caged or anyone. One leg of a jumper cable and just 6 feet of anything might do. Bypass everything and positively ground the bulb sockets to battery negative and see.

Also see> http://cruiser54.com

 

Yep.

 

Begin here in the links below.
As for Tip 3, note the connector that is featured in the photo.

http://cruiser54.com/?p=19

http://cruiser54.com/?p=35

 

ok thanks guys... ill try and play with it this weekend

 

I see you have the '88, so not sure if it applies, but another place to look with the 98 xj is inside the cabin behind the tail lights, take the rear plastic panels off. The one I did had no to messed up tail lights and it was all about where the harness connectors connect being full of rust, green stuff, and corruption. Ended up jumpering every connection on the harness.

 

EDITED:

Yea, one of my 90's, I forget exactly but crummy BS on the taillight sockets ground. I needed to add stuff to the original funky design, clearly unreliable. Maybe ALEC had them do it that way! The Bondsmen, tow companies, the impound, the lawyer, the probation people, the various schools and insurance companies, all private, and just that bad wire has made them millions. Then Commissioners, Judges, Da & deputes, clerks, bailiff, jailers, on and on, all make bank if one of there "bots" sees a taillight out. Meaning if you can't feed citizens into the machine, your job might be in jeopardy. (get the dogs on em', they might have some herb or be "buzzed"). Tail lights are pay dirt for them. ("pay dirt" means there is gold in it) They work at the local and state level to lighten your wallet, without guilt, being forgiven each Sunday for a small fee. See> http://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/ALEC_Exposed
Also > http://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/What_is_ALEC%3F

 

I know right? I agree. Excuse me while I take my daily meds and have about 12 pots of coffee, I will be back to discuss this further.

 

Still working on this problem, in defense i have not done all your tips Cruiser. I was able to complete what is on page 19. I did though replace a turn signal socket because where the bulb and socket was corroded to the point i could not remove the bulb.

 

You cleaned the lighting connector?

 

no i have not done the lighting connector, tip 3 right?

I did a bypass for the fuel pump ballast resistor. But that was some time ago.

 

What's the voltage at the orange wire at the fuel pump connector?