Hello,
On my 1990 Jeep Cherokee I have a small electrical problem. when my headlights are on the dash and tail lights don't stay on. They'll be on for about 10 minutes then shut themselves off. If i pull the fuse then put it back in they work again for another 10mins, the fuse doesn't blow it just shuts off. Any ideas? And is this going to be a short or a ground issue.
Thanks,
Electrically Confused

 

I would check the light switch. I bet if you can get your hand under the dash next time they shut off, I bet the switch will be really hot. Mine would do the same thing when the switch was going bad.

 

The design for the lights on our XJ's is lousy, to say the least. The switches are a problem. All the power for the lights goes through the switch and they start to fry real easy. Your best bet would be to replace the switch, clean the connector VERY well and add in relays to run the headlights, especially if you used better than stock headlight bulbs as they draw more power.

 

Thanks guys. Ill check it out tonight. hopefully its somthing easy like the switch

 

quick piggy back, sorry...My 98 has a right tail light out...I replaced the bulbs, checked the fuses and nothing...however, my brake lights, turnsignals and back up lights work...the weird part is, the brake and tail light are the same bulb...

I replaced the pigtail. I still have the same problem...unsure where the problem could be...I can't find a break in the wire if its a short. Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thanks

 

@stan'sredxj

I had the same issue on the driver's side when I got my jeep.
If you've already replaced the pigtail and bulbs the next thing you need to do is pull the passenger side rear panel. I'll bet there's a rust/rot hole in the rear of the wheel well and the factory connector on the wiring harness is shorted/corroded/fried. Go to your local parts store and pick up a wire crimping set. If you've already got the crimp pliers just get some of the blue crimp connectors. (I forget the gauge rating) Cut all of the wires about an inch back from the connector on one side. Then look at the connector layout to match up the wires cutting and crimping them one by one. You may have wires that don't go to anything. (6 before the connector, 5 after it) That shouldn't cause any problems as long as you tape the end off so it doesn't ground out.
I'd recommend doing this procedure to all of the connectors on each side if your wheel wells are rotted through. Otherwise more issues will arise. Patch the hole, seal the new connections with electrical tape and you should be good to go.

Let me know how it goes.

-BTD94

 

I got it all situated. turns out the wire that holds the fuse was loose. I pulled the fuse block out and pushed that wire back in place. now it is working consistently.
And with that taillight thing i don't know if its the same on the newer Cherokees but on the gran Cherokees there is a metal contact in the taillight and if the pins on the pigtail don't make contact then only part of the lights work.

 

BTD94

I gotta say...you were spot on...Thanks man...The only wire that was corroded and broken...hahahaha I kinda feel dumb...been driving like this for over a month...
The hole, however...way too big to patch unless I have a huge sheet of sheet metal...hahahaha

Again....thanks brother

 

I have a 91 jeep cherokee with the same problem I've been checking grounds I wish I could find this short