'93 Cherokee Interior Lights Problem -- Suggestions?

Bad earth, maybe?

While I'm not sure as to the cause of your problem - your best bet is probably an auto electrician of some description - we have a mob here in Perth known as Autospark, however you'll want to check your phonebook for someone in your area. I had a similar problem with a Taurus, and it was fixed in a matter of minutes.. for $20 :)

J.

I have a '93 Grand Cherokee, not a Cherokee, but the lighting system is probably similar. When I look at the wiring diagram of the interior lamps, I see that they are actuated by grounding the lamps, not by applying power. They are always "hot." I would be looking for a wire that is grounding to the chassis with vibration. If I were doing it myself, I would disconnect the battery, remove one of the interior lamps, attach an ohmmeter to the socket shell (not the center contact), and start banging around where the wire harnesses are routed until I saw something shorting. I'm sure a mechanic would have to do something similar. It might be easier to use a battery operated test lamp. You could see the lamp flicker easier than trying to watch a meter. Something is definitely shorting that shouldn't be.

Dick

Thanks, guys... Both good suggestions. I'm going to see if I can dig through it myself tomorrow... I appreciate the input!

JMS

Dick did pass the time by typing:

The ground circuit is also very sensitive if you have the illumiated entry module. Salt/grime in the switch can short it enough to cause lights to come on.

I'd start by working the daylights out of all the door switches or check and clean. (easier said than done as they are burried in there)

I would suggest consulting a local outfit that specializes in automotive electric repairs.

If that isn't an option there are a number of possibilities for battery disconnects.

Well on my 99 the interior lights come on when I open the rear gate. But there's a button on the rear light in the back that turns the lights off when the rear door is open. It's part of the clear lens, I would push it and turn the lights off and see that helps. If so then your problem is in the rear somewhere.

One of your switches is loose or on the point of being worn out. It is intermittently shorted to ground. I recommend the systematic approach, since you like the vehicle and want to keep it. Start with the door switches. Inspect every one and the wiring to it. Sooner or later you will find the loose wire or the bad switch. You could use a continuity tester, but then you would have to find the place in the harness or fuse block, from which they branch out. Then all you would get for your trouble, is the information, that one of the switches is shorted to ground. If the switches all look good, then take them out and test each one with a continuity tester. This is boring, systematic, brute force elimination kind of work, but it is the only way that I know of. If you still get nowhere, disconnect and tape all the door switches. If the problem still occurs, then you have the auto electrician's nightmare, a short in your wiring harness.

People who do this sort of work, and make these sorts of repairs, make it look easy. It isn't.

Earle

My '02 does the same in that back and.... I think on the rear doors also

Check all the lights and light switches starting with the ones used most often (driver door)

Bah... It was a wire behind the dash and near my stereo that was rubbing up against a bolt. The rubbing eventually wore away the insulation on the wire resulting in an intermitent short. I had to take it to an auto electric specialist who tracked down the issue... Took him two days! Very beat.

Thanks to all who replied!

jslabaugh did pass the time by typing:

Those types of problems are the worst type. Frankly I'd rather just have something fry and play (spot the smoke) than search out another smooshed/frayed/abraded/corroded wire.