I still have the cargo light but I can not figure out how it was holding the sound bar against the ceiling ... there are no screws bolts. The only thing hanging down is a metal shaft that is smoooth, no threads.

1. Does any one have a suggestion for how to hold that sound bar against the ceiling?
2. Any recommendations on replacing the cargo light? The old light did not turn off and on well.

Photos attached

 

Thinking the light helps hold it to the ceiling.
So go here:

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f46/be...8/#post3595392

Find the shot of the light.
See the speed nuts?
What I call them not really sure what the technical name is.
So thought if you took the speed nuts off the light would drop out.
See my post.
According to DustyWagoneer you don't touch the speed nuts but unscrew the whole stud.
See his post.
So basically you still need the speed nuts though.
What I think I know is primarily '97 and up XJ things.
So this is just a guess. LOL.

 

↑ yup...the "speed nut" holds the center up tight to the roof.

 

I just have 2 screws instead of the original set-up.

Out of the 4 Cherokees I've seen, the button on the rear light unit did not click on all of them.

 

Do you have a picture of that set up? My retainer nut things seem to have worn down and don't want to hold up my light anymore.

 

Providing I remember tomorrow I could get you one. All I've done is remove the 2 original bolt/nut/whatever they are and put 2 screws in place. Just not too long that they poke the roof.

 

your "hanging down smooth thing" appears to be snapped off at before the speed nut,,,replace it with a screw

as mentioned, the button is always stuffed...due to heat of incandescent globe

replace it with a "hook end" LED festoon 42mm (I think), could be 44mm

 

Mustn't have tightened it up properly.

 

It was snapped off and thanks for the bulb recommendation ... I was referring to the whole cargo light fixture for replacement since the on off does not seem to work

Another question - should the cargo light go on when the cargo door opens?

- it has been so long ... I do not think it did and to support that I do not see a door open switch on the back door.

 

I can't give you any recommendations for a new unit. With my one I took a switch from my old overhead console, 3D printed a part to encase it and stuck that in. So far it still works.

The cargo light is linked to all of the other internal lights so when the rear hatch is opened, it should turn on all internal lights - unless the switch is clicked into "off mode" where it breaks the circuit to the hatch switch so you can leave it open for extended periods of time without killing your battery.

At least on the fibreglass hatches, the switch is part of the lock assembly so you'd have to remove the cover (and hope that all of the plastic tabs don't snap, as they like to) then you can see 2 wires going to the lock. One wire is a live feed from the internal lighting circuit (which is the wire that gets disconnected when the cargo light switch is clicked to off), and the other is a ground to complete the circuit when the hatch is opened.

 

The light goes on when the hatch is open unless the switch is in the off position. The light is activated by a unit inside the hatch.

 

Just to update people - The speed nut was the key to getting that dome light up there. In my case the shaft that the speed nut goes on broke so I used another threaded shaft

Speed nut size #8 - 32 - The orange stores carry them - Autozone and Home Depot.