Automotive Electrical Problem questions and in need of help

[Guest db99wj]

Blinkers on the Jeep went out. Have had a similiar problem in the past where they would work, until the lights were on, then they would go out and pop the 15 amp fuse. Only when the lights were on. I replaced the Flasher module above the fuse box and from what I remember it cleared up. My theory is that water or moisture is getting somewhere, either at the headlight/tail light assemblies or possibley at the trailer light harness. But once I went through all that, they have worked. This I guess cleared up once it got dry outside and has worked for over a year.

Fastforward to this spring, my hazard light/turnsignal/headlight control stalk went out, hazards wouldn't turn off. I replaced the whole stalk assembly in the steering column. This is just some fyi, that could or could not have anything to do with my problem.

Fastforward to today, we have had a lot of rain. Several days. Blinker went out. Fuse blown. replaced, lights off which usually in the past would allow me to use them as long as the headlights are off, no blinker at all. I have the dash apart, I have pulled the dim headlight fuse (one of the bigger ones), pulled the high beam and the parking light fuses. Put in the blinker fuse, still no blinker and if I turn on the lights, one blinker light will come on constantly but then eventually will blow the fuse.

What am I missing, what do I need to check, what else can I do besides take it in and get raped at the stealership?

I'm going back out to check each individual turn signal bulb and see if I can find anything.

:mad::mad:

[Guest db99wj]

The seal around the tail light assemblies are kind of cracked and dry looking, could moisture, there is no visible water, be getting in there? One of them has a broken spot which cause the taillight to go out when the lights are on and I push in the brake. I am going to replace that one. I have found them for around $50 on ebay, new replacements. The headlights are hazy and scratched up and I am going to replace those as well at about $60 a pop on ebay. Could these older assemblies be having mositure issues and would cause the problems?

[Guest 45AUTO]

what year is the jeep?

[Guest db99wj]

99 Grand Cherokee

[jgrauman]

sounds like you have a short somewhere... more than likely a wire is nicked and shorting out, could have blown the bulbs, could just keep blowing the fuse... after a while of shorting it could have come apart

[Guest db99wj]

sounds like you have a short somewhere... more than likely a wire is nicked and shorting out, could have blown the bulbs, could just keep blowing the fuse... after a while of shorting it could have come apart

What are my options?

This scares me because the dealer is going to diagnose it, at 11 billion an hour for days before they find it...

[Guest GUTTERbOY]

Electrical problems are a royal PITA to diagnose. I have what I suspect is an electrical issue that causes my truck to randomly piss off and refuse to run when it's hot out. Already thrown a decent handful of parts at it with no success.

Good luck. Wish I could tell you more...

[Guest Verbal Kint]

Electrical problems are a royal PITA to diagnose.

+1,000,000

Electrical issues are a whore unless you know exactly what the problem is, and pretty much the exact area of where the problem lies. Otherwise it's like finding a needle in a hay stack.

You're not even guaranteed to ever find it, even if you tried tracing it. Unless it's obvious, the stealership could have your Jeep for weeks and not be any closer to solving it than you would in your driveway. Except your work would only cost you a lot of cussing.

[Guest db99wj]

I don't like the answers so far!

Won't they be able to put something on it, to tell if there is constant power or a power surge or something, a meter or something....I'm showing my ignorance in electrical at this point!

This is really not good.

Hmm, might be trading off for something before I wanted and financially able too without making some changes. Wow, this sucks.

[Guest Phantom6]

I don't like the answers so far!

Won't they be able to put something on it, to tell if there is constant power or a power surge or something, a meter or something....I'm showing my ignorance in electrical at this point!

This is really not good.

Hmm, might be trading off for something before I wanted and financially able too without making some changes. Wow, this sucks.

Just Empty Every Pocket

I've owned a few in the past and loved 'em. Never had a problem with 'em but I've heard horror stories like this from other newer Jeep owners. Like a lot of other products, as soon as it's "new and improved" it seems to go to hell.

[Guest db99wj]

Just Empty Every Pocket

I've owned a few in the past and loved 'em. Never had a problem with 'em but I've heard horror stories like this from other newer Jeep owners. Like a lot of other products, as soon as it's "new and improved" it seems to go to hell.

Yep I have heard that as well, this is a 10 year old Jeep with 120K miles on it and it was the first year model of the WJ body style.

Other than my transfer case going out right after I had it serviced....which is a whole different story, I haven't had any weird problems, besides this one obviously, I would trust it to drive anywhere, cross country, wherever at this point. The engine is still strong, the seats, the plastics, the radio, everything works great. There brake light assemblies are crap, they have the socket thing that the bulb snaps into and you put the socket into the assembly and twist to secure it. Those socket have a tendency to heat up and blow your bulbs, if you see if a Grand Cherokee with a tail light out, odds are that is the problem , that and the headlights, the plastic gets scratched easily and hazy, but that is with all older plastic covered headlights for the most part.

[Im Neero]

I see you're in Memphis, which raises the question, do you even need your turn signals? It's not like anyone pays them any mind anyways.

[Guest grimel]

I don't like the answers so far!

Won't they be able to put something on it, to tell if there is constant power or a power surge or something, a meter or something....I'm showing my ignorance in electrical at this point!

This is really not good.

Hmm, might be trading off for something before I wanted and financially able too without making some changes. Wow, this sucks.

Get a BFH, a gallon of diesel, and a match.

If the BFH doesn't fix it, the diesel and match will let you get one whale of a BBQ out of it.

[Guest db99wj]

Get a BFH, a gallon of diesel, and a match.

If the BFH doesn't fix it, the diesel and match will let you get one whale of a BBQ out of it.

Nope, never thought of that, nor would I ever think of that.....

[Guest grimel]

Nope, never thought of that, nor would I ever think of that.....

I'm chasing down an electrical problem in my wife's T-bird.

[Guest Verbal Kint]

I see you're in Memphis, which raises the question, do you even need your turn signals? It's not like anyone pays them any mind anyways.

[Guest db99wj]

Looks like I have done everything "short" of changing every light bulb that can be done. I did get a name of a guy that is supposed to be the best in Memphis on electrical.

I'm wondering if the trailer harness is the culprit. That is the only wiring that has exposure to the outside, the area where it comes out of the brake light housing and into the bumper cover area and runs across to the trailer hitch. I'm wondering if the wires have dry rotted and cracked, and when it rains, they get wet, then they start shorting things...I don't know, I'm no where close to being an expert at electrical, don't want to be, too damn frustrating.

[dralarms]

Looks like I have done everything "short" of changing every light bulb that can be done. I did get a name of a guy that is supposed to be the best in Memphis on electrical.

I'm wondering if the trailer harness is the culprit. That is the only wiring that has exposure to the outside, the area where it comes out of the brake light housing and into the bumper cover area and runs across to the trailer hitch. I'm wondering if the wires have dry rotted and cracked, and when it rains, they get wet, then they start shorting things...I don't know, I'm no where close to being an expert at electrical, don't want to be, too damn frustrating.

Now this is possible. is it a 4 wire hanging plug or a mounted plug? If it is just hanging it would be easy to check, if it is mounted, a little harder but can still be done. With a meter set to beep (for a short) and nothing plugged into the wiring harness check and see if any of the 4 are shroted together with any of the other 3, or with ground (you will have 1 shorted to ground, but only 1).

[Guest db99wj]

Now this is possible. is it a 4 wire hanging plug or a mounted plug? If it is just hanging it would be easy to check, if it is mounted, a little harder but can still be done. With a meter set to beep (for a short) and nothing plugged into the wiring harness check and see if any of the 4 are shroted together with any of the other 3, or with ground (you will have 1 shorted to ground, but only 1).

It is the old style plug, it is just hanging there, the plugs are in a line, not the plug type. So if I were to get a new trailer, I would have to upgrade my harness.

[strickj]

Thats an easy fix!

Sell the Chrysler,and get a Chevy

Now if I was one to practice what I preach then my pita Sebring convertible would have never been bought!I love the car,and love the styling,but man its a real biatch!Been working on it now for nearly two months to no avail!

[Guest canynracer]

The seal around the tail light assemblies are kind of cracked and dry looking, could moisture, there is no visible water, be getting in there? One of them has a broken spot which cause the taillight to go out when the lights are on and I push in the brake. I am going to replace that one. I have found them for around $50 on ebay, new replacements. The headlights are hazy and scratched up and I am going to replace those as well at about $60 a pop on ebay. Could these older assemblies be having mositure issues and would cause the problems?

Yes.

Most of them when mounted also act as the ground. The sockets in the grand cherokees are known for their problems.

Here is the bad news, It is difficult to find which ONE of the sockets are causing the problem, which usually results in replacing all of them. The entire fixture.

as stated here, Electrical problems are a BEYOTCH....I used to charge 75.00 an hour...2hr minimum (if I found it within, then I would only charge for the time it took to find it) and there are no guarantees.

I was the only one in the shops I worked at to even be remotley interested in figuring it out. It is a waste of the mechanics time, so they charge more.

My advice, wait for it to COMPLETELY dry out, then "off" it.

[Guest db99wj]

Yes.

Most of them when mounted also act as the ground. The sockets in the grand cherokees are known for their problems.

Here is the bad news, It is difficult to find which ONE of the sockets are causing the problem, which usually results in replacing all of them. The entire fixture.

as stated here, Electrical problems are a BEYOTCH....I used to charge 75.00 an hour...2hr minimum (if I found it within, then I would only charge for the time it took to find it) and there are no guarantees.

I was the only one in the shops I worked at to even be remotley interested in figuring it out. It is a waste of the mechanics time, so they charge more.

My advice, wait for it to COMPLETELY dry out, then "off" it.

The twist in sockets are known problem by Chrysler and they won't do anything about them. I've replaced most of mine over the years, but they still will get too hot and go out. I went into the dealer when I first figured this out years ago, and the guy behind the parts counter reaches in just inside the door of the parts warehouse and grabs one.

It is at a mechanic just around the corner from at work, He is only going to charge a diagnostic charge, and nothing else until we figure it out.

I would let it dry out, but my lively hood is somewhat reliant on my car.

Didn't a guy get arrested for shooting his car not to long ago? Besides, I need more that a .40 to off my Jeep, need bigger and more explosive ammo!