I've found lots of turn signal related posts, but none that is really like my issue -

I have a stock 88 XJ. Last year the passenger side rear turn signal stopped working. It also does not work on the trailer when i plug in the boat trailer.

I have cleaned the connector that goes out the the tail light assembly (which wasnt really dirty or corroded). I've changed the bulb, even replaced the ground wire, soldered it in and used a test lead to jump directly to ground just in case it was a grounding issue. Still nothing.

Odd thing is that it is ONLY the right rear turn signal that does not work. I checked for power at the rear light connector and there was none showing on my analog multi-meter (needle doesnt budge).

Any ideas? I was wrestling with this for a long time, fixed the other turn signal issues, but this one is crazy stuborn

Doe anyone know where the wire goes from the plug that is there inside the rear quarter panel and geos upward though a channel into the roof, not sure where from there. I'm trying to run down where the power is going, does anyone know where this connects in at the front of the Jeep? Is there a realy of some sort for JUST the right side? I'm stumped.

Any help would be apprecaited, have to get it inspected by the end of the month, I dont think they'll count it if I just sit inside and use an arm signal like I've had to do for the past 8 months!

 

Hello PaaBearXJ88
Did anyone ever respond to your issue with the trailer plug? I have the same problem with my 1991 Cherokee. I think it is a bad relay behind the spare tire panel. I just have not gotten that far in my troubleshooting yet.
Sam

 

Sam, I don't recall ever getting a rely, so I just started going through everything and one thing after another checked out. I finally replaced all of my turn signal bulb sockets (the ones that were in there were pretty crusty, and though I tried to clean them I figured it couldn't hurt.)
After that all of the issues that I was having with this and the rest of the turn signal circuits were behaving normally. (I had instrument panel signal bulb lit up when lights were on, dim signal lights, ect.)

I'll check it out Friday after this storm passes and confirm that it fixed the trailer light issue too and I'll reply again then.

 

There's no relay back there. Your ground point is there, though, and that's the first place to check.

 

Note from DJ

If they have the factory towing harness; there are 3 relays in the cavity behind the spare tire.

They receive the information from the front and are individual engaged and control which light are turned on.
This information is also sent down to the outlet that your trailer lighting plugs into. This eliminates the need for wiring in a aftermarket converter.

 

Hello,
There are 3 relays behind the driver's rear panel behind the spare tire. These relays are still available at Jeep dealers for the 1991 Cherokee. The 1989 Cherokee uses the same relays.
Precept

 

Hello DJ,
You are correct. After spending time in a wrecking yard going through Cherokee's I discovered that the 1989 model has a removable section of harness that includes the three relays you mentioned. They were taped and wrapped in an insulated blanket. When Chrysler took over production in 1991 they eliminated the French connectors on the wiring harness and you could no longer just remove the section of harness by disconnecting the plugs (where the relays are located). I also discovered that the 1992 Cherokee is different than the 1991 in the way the wiring is assembled and the components used for the tow trailer wiring harness.
Precept

 

Note from DJ

Thanks for the validation Precept
I have that system on by 88 and the first time I tried to hook it up to by boat trailer; I was very confused.

 

Another Note from DJ regarding Trailer Towing

If you Jeep has the large 7 blade connector attached to your trailer hitch; there is a very good chance that your Jeep has the Trailer Towing factory option system.

If this is the case the only thing you need to hook up the lighting system on the trailer to your Jeep system is the adapter in the picture below.



This adapter is what I ending up buying to tow my boat trailer.