Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here! ZJ (93-98), WJ (99-04), WK (05+)
All ZJ/WJ/WK specific tech questions asked here!

Electrical gremlin?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 03-23-2010, 08:26 AM
  #1  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
kman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default Electrical gremlin?

OK, so these problems may not have anything to do with one another but i get the sense they are related...

Jeep GC 2001
- wipers stopped working about a month ago. then a few days later started working again
- tailgate power lock stopped working a week or two ago. works sometimes but mostly not
- today, blinkers would not work. Lever on steering column goes up and down, but no "clicking" or arrows showing on dash.

Anyone have any thoughts?

and somewhat related, How do you check or change the fuses in the box under the hood?

thanks- E Kamer
Old 03-23-2010, 08:31 AM
  #2  
Senior Member
 
jbetit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Alto, MI
Posts: 938
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Year: 2002
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7
Default

first off, welcome! make sure your connections are good. use a wire tester on you fuses to check to see if they are good. if they don't light up, replace them.
Old 03-23-2010, 09:00 AM
  #3  
Member
 
Cheap$200Jeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Spokane, WA, USA
Posts: 234
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default Welcome...

Sounds like you have an intermittent grounding issue if you are not blowing fuses.

Start by trying to get your hands on a good wiring diagram for your year. Meanwhile...

Spend as much time as you can going through and physically checking your grounds. While you are searching around, it doesn’t hurt to take everyone you find off and clean the termination and the surface it mates to. (I do this any time I'm working on the rig and come across a ground) Look at the wire going into the terminations, making sure they are securely crimped onto the entire wire (and not all rusty).

Pay close attention in the area up under the driver side dash and kick panel! That’s where the majority of your wiring for the rig passes through. Look closely for wires that someone may have run a screw through and now that the screw is removed, the wire may be broken even though the insulation looks like it just has a pin hole...
Old 03-23-2010, 09:54 AM
  #4  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
kman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

so can a fuse be bad but not broken?

how do you actually remove the ones in the box under the hood?
Old 03-23-2010, 09:55 AM
  #5  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
kman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

where would i find a ground?
Old 03-23-2010, 11:50 AM
  #6  
Seasoned Member
 
thebrow89's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: belleville il
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

yes a fuse can be bad and not look broken. and a ground will be pretty much any wire that bolts to something metal.
Old 03-24-2010, 10:43 AM
  #7  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
kman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

OK - so new development - can anyone tell me if this helps figure it out?

Yesterday after driving in a highway for about 10 minutes, the blinkers started to work.

Does that mean a weak battery? alternator?
Old 03-24-2010, 03:05 PM
  #8  
CF Veteran
 
Bustedback's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oroville, CA
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 18 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
Default

Check the bulkhead connector and see if it is loose, then check the blinker fluid. Sometimes when you drive, the blinker fluid will kind of slosh around and fill the system with air. The highway driving will give the fluid time to settle and the air will bleed out, then the blinkers will start to work again. You should only use Jeep brand blinker fluid, part number BF19834-a5z-1601. Just call the local Jeep dealer and ask for it. The fluid should be a bright yellow and taste kind of sour, you can find the reservoir behind the spare tire and plastic trim panel. Kind of stupid to make it so hard to check the blinker fluid, but I guess Jeep thought you should never have to add fluid.
Old 03-24-2010, 06:53 PM
  #9  
Member
 
72gremlinkid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 201
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Model: Cherokee
Default

Wow thanks alot busted back, my 97 GC had the same problem, so I found the blinker fluid and all is well now. Thanks alot for the advice hope it helps the OP.
Old 03-24-2010, 07:07 PM
  #10  
Senior Member
 
SRT-10Jeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: upstate NY
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: ???
Default

Originally Posted by Bustedback
Check the bulkhead connector and see if it is loose, then check the blinker fluid. Sometimes when you drive, the blinker fluid will kind of slosh around and fill the system with air. The highway driving will give the fluid time to settle and the air will bleed out, then the blinkers will start to work again. You should only use Jeep brand blinker fluid, part number BF19834-a5z-1601. Just call the local Jeep dealer and ask for it. The fluid should be a bright yellow and taste kind of sour, you can find the reservoir behind the spare tire and plastic trim panel. Kind of stupid to make it so hard to check the blinker fluid, but I guess Jeep thought you should never have to add fluid.
I called my dealer and they said they don't have the yellow, but they have purple. Will that work the same?
Old 03-24-2010, 07:10 PM
  #11  
CF Veteran
 
ol"blue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Tenn. and Mich.
Posts: 28,068
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.7L V8
Default

Shame on you guys.
Old 03-24-2010, 10:26 PM
  #12  
CF Veteran
 
Bustedback's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Oroville, CA
Posts: 12,367
Likes: 0
Received 19 Likes on 18 Posts
Year: 1995
Model: Grand Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 with all of the noise and clatter
Default

Originally Posted by SRT-10Jeep
I called my dealer and they said they don't have the yellow, but they have purple. Will that work the same?
Only on vehicles built before 12/32/81.
Old 03-25-2010, 08:54 AM
  #13  
Newbie
Thread Starter
 
kman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Model: Cherokee
Default

why do you say shame?
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
jmsummers2012
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
53
04-30-2021 02:35 PM
scatgo
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
14
03-22-2021 09:56 AM
LittleRed94
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
5
10-06-2015 08:09 PM
Josh Meck
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
1
09-27-2015 03:16 PM
Snajo
Other Vehicles. Other Jeep models & cars and trucks of other makes
0
09-26-2015 11:54 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 


Quick Reply: Electrical gremlin?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:11 PM.