1993 Jeep Cherokee - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

ergdork · 02-12-2005, 03:12 PM

I just got an old 1993 Jeep Cherokee, 5spd. It has a few small problems. Wondering if anyone could help me:

1. Reverse lights don't come on. Bulbs seem ok, checked the under the hood fuses - all seem ok. I've been told it could be a switch that is somehow connected up to the shifter/gearbox. Any ideas?

2. I can open all the windows from the driver's door, but none of other doors can roll down their windows. There is a window lock switch that doesn't seem to make any difference.

Any ideas?

Sage · 02-12-2005, 03:26 PM

i have a 1990 jeep cherokee... i dunno about the back lights, but the window thing could be something to do with the motors for the windows, or the electrical signals getting to the window motors. my left rear side window has spells where it won't roll down for no particular reason.

also, if you need service, try and find a mechanic (NOT a jeep dealership) that has worked on jeeps and knows about them- they're REALLY quirky cars and you don't want to pay a lot of money to "fix" something that wasn't broken in the first place. for example, my car sometimes won't start when i turn the key- like, nothing happens, no turnover, no nothing. it's just because the gearshift is really sensitive about registering when my car is in park- all i have to do is push the gearshift forward with my right hand while turning the key with my left- car starts! also, i had a problem about a year ago where my car wouldn't turn over- it'd chug and chug but never actually crank- turns out there's a crank sensor that sends an electrical current from the flywheel to the alternator, and when it gets corroded the signal doesn't get through. it's a really easy sensor to get to- it's like, right on top of everything when you open the hood, and all you have to do is unplug it and plug it back in about twenty times to clean off the male/female parts.

good luck with your wonderful new car! Jeeps are AWESOME! if you take care of it, it will last a LONG time!

Scorps · 02-12-2005, 04:09 PM

LOL my van is a 82 and its rear lights don't work, but I'm in no hurry to fix them

Been like that for a year now!

cyrnel · 02-12-2005, 05:17 PM

Just to make sure, that's a Cherokee and not a Grand Cherokee, right?

As for the lights, I have XJ FSMs at home for 88 and late 90's. Might be going home in a couple days.

The window problem is probably caused by the driver door wiring harness. The wires eventually weaken and fail inside the boot. The harness is available as a replacement part. Many people just trace down the bad wires as they occur. The bad ones are generally visible once you open up the boot.

ergdork · 02-12-2005, 05:36 PM

Yup, its a Cherokee. Lots of miles on it, but I got a good deal! The only reason I'm thinking much about the reverse lights is that I am in the process of getting it inspected. I have a provisional inspection currently, but they didn't mention the reverse lights as a problem. I do have to bring it in again to show that the other (monior) problems were fixed. I figure I shouldn't toy with the possibility of failing on reverse lights.

merkerguitars · 02-13-2005, 10:35 AM

Ok the reverse lights deal.....Usually those years of jeeps came it a tremec t-5 transmission (commonly found in mustangs, camaro, etc) The switch for it will be on the side of the transmission, ( on the drivers side if I recall correctly). Check for cut wires, to test the switch itself, pull the connector off and take a multimeter that you can check continuity and touch the terminals, and then have someone in the vehicle put the jeep in an out or reverse. In reverse you should get continuity and in any other gear you shouldn't.

Nimisys · 02-13-2005, 03:20 PM

check the reverse light switch on the side of the transmission. some of the earlier ones may also have a fuse in place on the wiring harness down there as well.

for the window switches, they ALL recieve power and gorunding through the master switch. this is how/whhy you have an off/on switch on your master switch. check for power and ground at the indivudal door switches. most likley its the masterswitch that is shorted open.

02-12-2005, 03:12 PM	#1 (permalink)
ergdork Tilted	1993 Jeep Cherokee I just got an old 1993 Jeep Cherokee, 5spd. It has a few small problems. Wondering if anyone could help me: 1. Reverse lights don't come on. Bulbs seem ok, checked the under the hood fuses - all seem ok. I've been told it could be a switch that is somehow connected up to the shifter/gearbox. Any ideas? 2. I can open all the windows from the driver's door, but none of other doors can roll down their windows. There is a window lock switch that doesn't seem to make any difference. Any ideas? __________________ "You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it." - Robin Williams

02-12-2005, 03:26 PM	#2 (permalink)
Sage hoarding all the big girl panties since 2005 Location: North side	i have a 1990 jeep cherokee... i dunno about the back lights, but the window thing could be something to do with the motors for the windows, or the electrical signals getting to the window motors. my left rear side window has spells where it won't roll down for no particular reason. also, if you need service, try and find a mechanic (NOT a jeep dealership) that has worked on jeeps and knows about them- they're REALLY quirky cars and you don't want to pay a lot of money to "fix" something that wasn't broken in the first place. for example, my car sometimes won't start when i turn the key- like, nothing happens, no turnover, no nothing. it's just because the gearshift is really sensitive about registering when my car is in park- all i have to do is push the gearshift forward with my right hand while turning the key with my left- car starts! also, i had a problem about a year ago where my car wouldn't turn over- it'd chug and chug but never actually crank- turns out there's a crank sensor that sends an electrical current from the flywheel to the alternator, and when it gets corroded the signal doesn't get through. it's a really easy sensor to get to- it's like, right on top of everything when you open the hood, and all you have to do is unplug it and plug it back in about twenty times to clean off the male/female parts. good luck with your wonderful new car! Jeeps are AWESOME! if you take care of it, it will last a LONG time! __________________ Sage knows our mythic history, King Arthur's and Sir Caradoc's She answers hard acrostics, has a pretty taste for paradox She quotes in elegiacs all the crimes of Heliogabalus In conics she can floor peculiarities parabolous -C'hi

02-12-2005, 04:09 PM	#3 (permalink)
Scorps Lost!! Location: Kingston, Ontario	LOL my van is a 82 and its rear lights don't work, but I'm in no hurry to fix them Been like that for a year now! __________________ A.K.A. PainTrain

02-12-2005, 05:36 PM	#5 (permalink)
ergdork Tilted	Yup, its a Cherokee. Lots of miles on it, but I got a good deal! The only reason I'm thinking much about the reverse lights is that I am in the process of getting it inspected. I have a provisional inspection currently, but they didn't mention the reverse lights as a problem. I do have to bring it in again to show that the other (monior) problems were fixed. I figure I shouldn't toy with the possibility of failing on reverse lights. __________________ "You're only given a little spark of madness. You mustn't lose it." - Robin Williams

02-13-2005, 10:35 AM	#6 (permalink)
merkerguitars Buffering......... Location: Wisconsin...	Ok the reverse lights deal.....Usually those years of jeeps came it a tremec t-5 transmission (commonly found in mustangs, camaro, etc) The switch for it will be on the side of the transmission, ( on the drivers side if I recall correctly). Check for cut wires, to test the switch itself, pull the connector off and take a multimeter that you can check continuity and touch the terminals, and then have someone in the vehicle put the jeep in an out or reverse. In reverse you should get continuity and in any other gear you shouldn't. __________________ Donate now! Ask me How! Please use the search function it is your friend. Look at my mustang please feel free to comment! http://www.tfproject.org/tfp/showthread.php?t=26985

02-12-2005, 05:17 PM	#4 (permalink)
cyrnel Adequate Location: In my angry-dome.	Just to make sure, that's a Cherokee and not a Grand Cherokee, right? As for the lights, I have XJ FSMs at home for 88 and late 90's. Might be going home in a couple days. The window problem is probably caused by the driver door wiring harness. The wires eventually weaken and fail inside the boot. The harness is available as a replacement part. Many people just trace down the bad wires as they occur. The bad ones are generally visible once you open up the boot.

02-13-2005, 03:20 PM	#7 (permalink)
Nimisys Crazy Location: San Diego	check the reverse light switch on the side of the transmission. some of the earlier ones may also have a fuse in place on the wiring harness down there as well. for the window switches, they ALL recieve power and gorunding through the master switch. this is how/whhy you have an off/on switch on your master switch. check for power and ground at the indivudal door switches. most likley its the masterswitch that is shorted open.