Troubleshooting Power Door Locks in a 97+
As per the title, my power door locks are all dead. None of the switches will toggle any of the locks.
I checked my fuses in the passenger footwell, and all of the power lock fuses look good. The switch at the driver's door even illuminates. All of my engine grounds are good as well.
What am i missing? I've read that the master switch goes bad often. I tried opening it today, but couldn't get it to pop open in order to clean it.
If the master switch is bad, will it disable ALL of the power door lock switches? All of the other switches in the master switch pod work just fine.
I've also read that some of the wiring in the driver's door tears. Would bad wiring in the driver's door be able to disable the power locks in all of the other doors?
I checked my fuses in the passenger footwell, and all of the power lock fuses look good. The switch at the driver's door even illuminates. All of my engine grounds are good as well.
What am i missing? I've read that the master switch goes bad often. I tried opening it today, but couldn't get it to pop open in order to clean it.
If the master switch is bad, will it disable ALL of the power door lock switches? All of the other switches in the master switch pod work just fine.
I've also read that some of the wiring in the driver's door tears. Would bad wiring in the driver's door be able to disable the power locks in all of the other doors?
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 103
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
As per the title, my power door locks are all dead. None of the switches will toggle any of the locks.
I checked my fuses in the passenger footwell, and all of the power lock fuses look good. The switch at the driver's door even illuminates. All of my engine grounds are good as well.
What am i missing? I've read that the master switch goes bad often. I tried opening it today, but couldn't get it to pop open in order to clean it.
If the master switch is bad, will it disable ALL of the power door lock switches? All of the other switches in the master switch pod work just fine.
I've also read that some of the wiring in the driver's door tears. Would bad wiring in the driver's door be able to disable the power locks in all of the other doors?
I checked my fuses in the passenger footwell, and all of the power lock fuses look good. The switch at the driver's door even illuminates. All of my engine grounds are good as well.
What am i missing? I've read that the master switch goes bad often. I tried opening it today, but couldn't get it to pop open in order to clean it.
If the master switch is bad, will it disable ALL of the power door lock switches? All of the other switches in the master switch pod work just fine.
I've also read that some of the wiring in the driver's door tears. Would bad wiring in the driver's door be able to disable the power locks in all of the other doors?
Well, it gets weirder. I swapped in another driver's master switch and the locks still don't work. The lock switch on the passenger door does not control any locks, however when depressing it only in one direction, it turns on some kinda motor sound in the rear driver's side door and in the trunk hatch. I'd assume it's the lock actuators being turned on, opposed to being flicked open/closed. Doesn't actually unlock or lock anything though.
Any thoughts?? Not really sure where to go from here. I can only assume this is caused by bad wiring inside of the doors.
Any thoughts?? Not really sure where to go from here. I can only assume this is caused by bad wiring inside of the doors.
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 8,357
Likes: 103
From: Canton, MI
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Well, it gets weirder. I swapped in another driver's master switch and the locks still don't work. The lock switch on the passenger door does not control any locks, however when depressing it only in one direction, it turns on some kinda motor sound in the rear driver's side door and in the trunk hatch. I'd assume it's the lock actuators being turned on, opposed to being flicked open/closed. Doesn't actually unlock or lock anything though.
Any thoughts?? Not really sure where to go from here. I can only assume this is caused by bad wiring inside of the doors.
Any thoughts?? Not really sure where to go from here. I can only assume this is caused by bad wiring inside of the doors.
Edit: Below is the JB layout as well.


Edit:
Last edited by CCKen; Apr 5, 2014 at 10:04 AM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 2,097
Likes: 12
From: Tarpon Springs, FL / Denver, CO
Year: '98
Engine: 4.0 I6
OOhh, I have the exact same problem. Switch does absolutely nothing (no clicking and I am 99% sure the lock actuators arent getting power).
I have a new master/driver's switch panel that I fully cleaned up and re-soldered all connections. All power windows work, window lockout switch is rebuilt as well. I have yet to bust out the multimeter though.
Very interested in how this pans out...
I have a new master/driver's switch panel that I fully cleaned up and re-soldered all connections. All power windows work, window lockout switch is rebuilt as well. I have yet to bust out the multimeter though.
Very interested in how this pans out...
CF Veteran




Joined: May 2012
Posts: 7,965
Likes: 964
From: Lost in the wilds of Virginia
Year: 1998 Classic (I'll get it running soon....) and 02 Grand
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Check the wiring going through the boot between the frame and the door. See if you have any power there. It's a common place for wires to break.
I think this is my next move. I guess i'll peel back all of the secondary wiring sheathing and see if i can find any torn/broken wires.
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Member
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 109
Likes: 1
From: Rochester, NY
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Inline 6
The passenger switch is actually the master switch. All commands get sent through it first. Yes, the driver side has all of the switches but if the passenger side goes then you are done.
Try checking the wires in the boot between the doors, common to find broken wires.
I learned all of this the hard way. My driver side lock switch would only unlock. Replaced the whole assembly only to find out later it was a bad connection in the passenger side control.
Best of luck.
Try checking the wires in the boot between the doors, common to find broken wires.
I learned all of this the hard way. My driver side lock switch would only unlock. Replaced the whole assembly only to find out later it was a bad connection in the passenger side control.
Best of luck.
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