I just picked up my 96 Cherokee a couple weeks ago, but just noticed that the rear doors don't turn the interior lights on and when I open the rear hatch it doesn't turn the interior lights on either. It's kinda annoying actually.

Is this the same for everyone else's XJ?? My Jeep's not near me right now so I can't check to see if there are switches in the door jambs like in the front 2 doors. Just curious...............................

 

this is normal in the stock nothing special cherokees mine is the same way so i wired a light to the rear lift gate

 

My lights come on when I open the hatch (also a 96) but I have a button on the rear light that if I push they won't come on. And they don't come on when I open the backdoors.

 

That little black button on the rear cargo light??? I tried pushing that in, but it wouldn't budge and I didn't want to break it. That pushes in??

 

My lights don't come on when I open the hatch on my 2 door Sport either. I looked all over for a jam switch and found nothing. The little black button on rear light hasn't done anything either. I've thought about putting a light switch back there to turn it on manually along with some USB and three prong plugs.

 

Yeah it should and you'll feel it click and push back out. Mine does. I assume it's there so you don't drain the battery with the hatch open (something I do when camping or listening to tunes) The spring may have broke or is out of place, or maybe the button is jammed. You should be able to pop the white cover off, then pull the assembly out to take a look at it. I can't recall if there is a screw holding the assembly in place or if it just slides and wedges in their. Either way it shouldn't be too hard to get out.

 

I wish I knew... mine turns itself on randomly for a month and then nothing for two... right now it's during the "I'm not gonna work for you!" phase...

 

The wires going to the cargo light tend to corrode on the older XJ's. If the button isn't doing anything for you, then the wiring is most likely bad right near the light and button setup. Pull the headliner and check it out. If they're bad, replace them and hopefully it'll work.

 

the lights come on when I open any door... including rear hatch.... i guess this is rare

 

I just took a closer look at mine, and it appears the lights are not supposed to come on when I open the rear doors. Where there is a switch in the front, there is a rubber plug on the back doors. So it appears as if it is an option in some models, but as far as I know the light is supposed to come on when the hatch is opened on all models.

 

My '91 Limited comes on when any door, or hatch is opened. (just turning the key in the lock turns them on) Along with the back two lights in the overhead console. Also stay on for a minute after shutting the doors, or locking it. So I have to check to make sure I did not leave the dome light on. Before i get out. I have drained the battery a couple of times, Because I left the dome on. And not the courtesy lights.

 

I'm starting to think it was an option that my Jeep doesn't have because I'm pretty sure my rear doors don't have the switches in the door jambs. I'm going to look over that rear cargo light when it gets a tad warmer out.

 

Courtesy lights, are a option. It's listed on my original build sheet as such. Same as if I turn the car off, then the head lights. The head lights stay for a minute or so.