Hey Cherokee forum,
So it's part of my updates to my Cherokee I did an LED conversion on the tail lights. At first I only did the tail light housings and not third brake, and after a few months I ended up with no 3rd brake and no tail lights when braking. I changed out my third brake lights to LEDs and I got those to start working again, but I have running lights for my red LED tail lights but they do not increase and brightness when I step on the brake like they used to. I have been through all the fuse box and checked all my splicing connections on the wiring. I do not think it is a bad ground issue otherwise I wouldn't have 3rd brake lights either.

I am not very well versed and the capabilities of LED lights. Is it possible for the brighter function when I step on the brakes to not work on those but the diodes still be producing light when I have my running lights on? I've been through this entire vehicle I have hazards I have turn signals and I have backup lights it's just the two red bulbs not becoming brighter when I step on the brakes, or turning on when the headlights are off when I brake




Tested the back up lights and they work

 

So I'm looking through my Chiltons (infinitely better than the Haynes manual in every way) and next to the diagram for the driver side fuse box I see the diagram for this fuse box. Is this a 97 to 2001 fuse box or is this something that might be on my 96?

 

Honestly sounds like the brake function isn't working. You can to see if you have current going to the brake module, have someone step on the brakes while you are back there with a multimeter. If your input wire isn't getting power, then something upstream (fuse or relays). If you have power there,bthe problem is in the LED module itself.

 

I might try different bulbs then

 

Are they LED?

 

Yes I replaced the original tail light plugs on my pre 96 with the flat clip style plugs from a WJ. That made it really easy to switch to Sylvania LEDs

 

Brake switch under pedal works? It seems to me I'd check that before giving up on the lights.

 

That was the first thing I checked and it's fine. The third brake light does light up but the taillights themselves do not when braking

 

So I talked to my neighbor down the street who has had his 2000 Jeep Cherokee since it was new. He said to just try and replace the multifunction switchfor the hazard flasher and turn signals on my steering column. That is most likely what is bad. I'll order one from AutoZone and see if that works

 

Okay so an update. I replace my multifunction switch today. I have my third brake light, my turn signals work but they flash fast. I have my hazards and they flash at normal speed. I have checked all the fuses, and I have checked the stop light switch under the driver side dash. I'm officially completely out of ideas.

 

Reverse the bulbs in the socket?

 

Check this ground and refresh it.

 

I have flipped the bulbs in the sockets and I have check the ground it's still solid.