98formulaLS1

I'm new to XJ's, but not to Jeeps. I normally have a factory service manual, but MOPAR did such a good job at keeping them off the internet that I am left stranded.

I just picked up an XJ and need to get it inspected. My reverse lights don't work, and I checked the bulbs, they are good. Well I only checked one of them.

Any suggestions where to start looking for the no reverse light culprit?

98formulaLS1

oh yeah, any electrical schematics would be very helpful also!

lilredxj99

go to autozone.com and sign up you can get free electrical schematics online... sign up then sign in and go to manuals and go from there... Don't know what year you have or I would look it up and posted the pic...

check the bulbs first...

XJSoundwave

my 90 has the same issue, but my problem is that the previous owner did some crapy wiring. i need to rewire just about the whole jeep. but where im from they did not check my reverse lights at the inspection. my brother says here we dont have to have reverse lights. i live in elizabeth city NC by the way

98formulaLS1

sorry gentlemen. The year is 1994 and I went to autozones ****ty site. Their manuals area rarely usefeul for anything but common knowledge. There was no electrical schematic for the lighting system, only for the engine electronics.

I checked one bulb, it was good, so I assumed the other was good and thought there must have been a problem somewhere else.

Could the reverse lights be wired in series instead of parallel? If that were true, than one light being out would cause the other light to go out too.

TrekkerJmm

Hi and welcome to CF from TJ in NJ. Sounds like the NSS (Neutral safety switch) possibly. Check your PM's...Tj

98formulaLS1

ok guys, now that I have access to the right information, I will go ahead and check the NSS as well as any other items that I need. I will report back the solution.

Thanks!

COSXJFAN

Jim is right, NSS issue is more than likely to blame...

BuckB91XJ

X 3 on the NSS. It always causes this problem.

98formulaLS1

I'm now trying to identify the NSS in the FSM. It looks from the schematic that the signal to turn on the rear backup lamps doesn't go through a NSS, it goes through the transmission range sensor and a backup light switch, which is in the transmission.

Wheres the range sensor? I assume its on the side of the tranny, usually.

98formulaLS1

ok ok i found a problem with the info I've been given. And this is a common problem too. The device that is causing the problem is the transmission range sensor. Some vehicles have a dedicated neutral safety switch, but on this XJ, it's a TRS. The manual calls it a TRS and thats the correct name for it. Yes, this XJ's TRS does act as the NSS, but it also has a lot more functions to it too!

I will remove and clean the TRS tonight.

Thanks

TrekkerJmm

Glad u figured it out, post your results when your done...Tj

98formulaLS1

Report: I cleaned the TRS (Transmission Range Sensor for ya'll who already forgot what it means) and that fixed our issue.

Also, I did check with Advance Auto, and you're right, they call it the NSS too. That's really weird since the FSM calls it the TRS and there's a separate switch for the Park/Neutral position.

VTXJ

How easily did the switch come off? I had to replace mine because it shattered while I was taking it off to clean it. Granted, it was about 10 degrees out that day.

Killerloop102

Hey, was it pretty easy to do like a 30 min job. I have to clean mine too the reverse lights don't work and now i'm having to shack the shifter sometimes to get it started. Thanks in advanced.