I believe that inline fuse is for the cruise control, I remember seeing one when I pulled mine out. I know the cruise control is tied into the brake switch like you said. Did it have the double male plug? One straight the other 90 dergrees? I don't know if it ties into abs system but since you figured out the problem I wouldn't worry about it unless something changes.

 

Cruise should have second switch on pedal assembly ? Vacuum source would be from cruise system...

 

I've heard that the vac sensor helps with trans kick down in a way. So when vac is pulled the sensor is normal open foot off brake, foot on brake swtich closes kills cruise.
I had orginally pulled that the vac switch off too till I read that its another control for the trans so I pluged it back in since I didn't want to screw with with more trans issues. I could be way wrong in explaining it though.

 

Ive never seen a older xj with cruise or Abs to look at to confirm either way .

 

Yea my 88 had cruise before I pulled it out. So does my girls and she still work on occasion. My parts jeep had abs and cruise also. But the odd thing is that all the newer ones I have don't have abs or cruise. 93 base, 93 sport, 95 base, 98 base. But also the both 93s and 98 are stick too, the rest are auto.

 

Seems like that second switch does. post 23....http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthrea...=934886&page=2

 

Standard shift with cruise ...never seen that either mine standard and I have neither I did just converted to nv3550 ....

 

A decent multimeter can be purchased for under 20 bucks. It's a basic.

Test lights are even cheaper.

Thinking is free. Well, it doesn't cost money, anyway.


Swapping this and swapping that isn't thinking. It's a lousy way to troubleshoot. You sometimes get lucky that way, but you don't learn anything, and it's expensive and frustrating most of the time.

 

the second fuse doesnt go to the brake light switch directly. it took quite a bit of fishing threw the harness to gather that it eventually ties in. and then the other end comes out of the fuse panel in an obviously aftermarket way. I apologize for not being a mechanic. its kind of the reason i look to you fellow xj mobbers for some help. thank you to all who have put in input. your responses are always quick and usually more than helpful!!

 

what you have is the uber fun cross short... usually caused by one wire chafing against another... easiest way is what you have already done start disabling other systems until the problem goes away.. then chase the power wires in that system, it could be a module back-feeding, but usually its just bare wires.. also look for evidence of rodents.. cross shorts don't happen too often thankfully.. does the vehicle have a aftermarket alarm? I don't have a wiring diagram in front of me to see if that fuse is stock or not, but it doesn't sound stock.. and just remember electricity is just like water, it wants to flow out the easiest path possible. but if your not comfortable with diagnosing and fixing that problem (which is totally okay.. cross shorts are a pain!!) get someone else to do it.. but just look for chafed wires first, separate them and fix.. see if the problem goes away...

 

Uber fun ...lol never heard it phrased that way.

 

ya there is a where antenna box thing that has been mounted in the window since ive had it. im not sure what it does and never used it but they may have tapped into the same wire that feeds the brake system. since the brake lights work without the key on im going to assume that there is a constant running to them somewhere.

 

Sounfs like after market alarm maybe wire so brake light flash .

 

sounds like a remote starter. i know those can be a pita. especially if someone tried to remove it, or at least cut the wires. then someone else tried to rehook it back up... electrical nightmare.

 

Remote starter hooks to brake lights ?