Lost dash lights a short while back, research indicates typically a ground issue and/or headlight switch. Checked, cleaned, fixed grounds in engine bay and dash. Ordered headlight switch, only $14 new, well worth it. (Also just put in the Putco headlight harness upgrade a few days ago - this was after the no dash light problem, so not part of the current problem).
Headlight switch came in today, popped the old one out expecting a quick fix - headlight switch looks ok, but harness is melted!
Found a picture with the switch pin-outs labeled (thanks Cruiser54) got out the multi-meter and started checking wires...
B1: Battery - Red wire, 13.75v
B2: Dome lights power - 2 red/blue wires, 8.5v
D: Dome lights ground - 2 black/white wires, 0.35v
H: Headlights - tan/black, 2.1v
I: Dash dimmer lights - orange/black, 0.01v
R: Parking lights - 2 blue wires, 0v

No dash lights, no parking/running lights.
PARK LPS fuse shows 12v both legs
INST LPS fuse shows 0.01v with old headlight switch, now 0 with new switch.

Looks like a couple issues:
1) Ground issue somewhere still, or is small current value normal/ok on dome light circuit? (Dome lights work correctly, open door and using switch)
2) Dash dimmer lights - what voltage should be there, and what's the next step to track it down?
3) Parking lights - same question, voltage and where to go next?

Previously I had found a post about checking a ground in the drivers side taillight, but can't seem to find the post now. I did pull my taillight and look, but didn't find a ground behind the lens. Was that in all years of XJ's?

 

Yes, the search function on here is nearly worthless.

 

Not this one, was it?

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/tai...-issue-189512/

I found it in Google with "check ground driver's tail light site:cherokeeforum.com". The in-site thing at the top is plain ****.

 

Pop this into google

site:cherokeeforum.com(insert keywords here)

ie. site:cherokeeforum.com brake and rotor replacement

 

1996 XJ stock OHC

 

Actually....no, but that one will work

 

ok it worked. lost a 4 paragraph post introducing myself and describing my jeep issue,(I got the post to short message) retyped it all and lost it again! not happy!

try again tomorrow, sigh.

 

It worked. Try again now.

 

2 things: One is go to post 18 in my link.

Look at the attached photos.

 

That GM Tech stuff is causing the issues........

Just kidding!! Welcome to Cherokee forum.

 

....and the light(s) came on!
First the one in my brain that I failed to use...then the dash lights and parking/running lights.
When I pulled the old switch and saw the connection, I think at that point I just assumed the wiring was the issue and not the switch. Anyway, while checking the voltage of each wire and connection somewhere along the line I stuck the old switch back in.
The light came on in my brain and I realized that the power to the INST LPS fuse comes after the switch. Just because the switch looks good doesn't mean it is!
Put the new switch back in and blue lights!

....although re-reading my original post I did have the new switch in there at some point because I was getting 0v at the INST LPS fuse with the new switch
Well it's working now, if there is still a gremlin in the circuit I'm sure it will turn back up.
Still curious about the slight voltage on the ground side of the dome light circuit, that doesn't seem right.

 

lol, thanks!

 

Already read it, did it.

 

I'm proud of ya.....

 

Info on those gauges?