Hey everybody. Just bought a 90 laredo and noticed last night that my taillights don't light up, but the brake lights do. Also the dash lights don't come on. I checked bulbs and fuses. Any ideas? Thanks in advance

 

Check your fuses again-use test light. Almost always seems to be a fuse when both tail lights and dash lights aren't working at same time. If that fails, check headlight switch

 

I had that exact same problem it kept popping fuses turns out the ground for the headlight switch was bad

 

What should I be looking for when examining switch?

 

usually when they go bad youll see some melting or burns on the connection plug......but they can also go bad on the inside, you can check it with a good amp probe with the audio function. if your gonna go thru the trouble to pull it you might as well replace it. they are cheap and it'll save you from having to pull it again.

 

cool thanks because I just replaced fuses and they blew instantly

 

I have got the same issue. Checked bulbs, fuses and replaced the switch last night without any luck. I had someone check the fuse panel and they said there wasn't any power to the fuse. Knowing this, what would be the next thing to check?

 

Power to the various external lights is routed through the headlight switch. Pulling the headlight switch out to the first stop routes power to the parking lamps, dashboard lights, and probably a couple of other locations - I don't have the schematic handy.

If your dashboard lights are on, there is power to the parking lights - they are both fed through the same fuse. Check for voltage at the bulb sockets. If there is voltage at the bulb sockets and the bulbs are good, you have a bad ground. Could be corrosion on the contacts in the sockets. Make sure the bulbs are the correct type for the socket - the kind called for in the owners manual. There are a couple of different bulbs that can fit in the socket, but only one has the correct locating pins in the base of the bulb.

If everything checks out and you still have problems, troubleshooting can get very challenging. Older Cherokees have odd connections between the turn signal switch, ignition switch, and headlight switch that can really get frustrating if electrical wiring is not your thing.

 

Make sure you are checking the correct fuses, sounds stupid I know. I just spent the whole day trying to figure this one out and replaced the switch, bulbs, fuses (inside my jeep down in the kick panel)....just to figure the fuse i needed to check was in the PDC under the hood ... $40ish dollars later when it could have just been .20... fml... oh well i guess i at least know i have new bulbs and switches

 

Wish i wouldev seen this earlier. Oh well stopped me before i went any further.

 

What is "PDC" under hood. Where do I locate that?

 

What is "PDC" under hood? Where do I locate that.

 

PDC, power distribution center, is basically a fuse box and is located on the passenger fender, behind battery. It has a removable cover.

 

91 and later only.

90 and earlier only has the one fuse box.

Need to test fuses while installed with a test light.

 

I also have a 90 Laredo and I made sure all of my fuses and relays were good, headlights, brake lights, turn signals and reverse lights work, but dash tail and fog lights are out. I just wanna know where I can find a new ground for the switch since I've already replaced the switch. I'm not getting any blown fuses or anything