1994 Jeep Cherokee Headlight switch

Tiny
LHSJACKETS
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 103,000 MILES
My headlights stopped working so I put in a new switch. The headlights then worked but nothing on the parking light position works. No tail lights, buzzer or parking lights. I tried two other aftermarket switches. The best I was able to get was one switch seemed to have a "sweet spot" in between the parking light and headlight detent where everything came on. Since everything has (somewhat) it leads me to think that it must be either bad switches or I'm missing something with the installation. Now I'm back to the original switch and amazingly the problem now is that I again have headlights but no parking lights. Any ideas?
Saturday, May 17th, 2008 AT 1:17 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
BTMARUSAK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have the same issue with my 1994 Cherokee. My headlamps stopped working, then I was monkeying trying to get the headlamp switch out and then noticed the head lamps were working again, but the running lamps were not working. When the headlamps were not working, the front turnsignals were not working.
I then replaced the headlamp switch and then noticed what you describe as the "sweet spot" on the switch where the running lights work, but when I move the switch to the headlamp on position, the running lamps turn off.
Looked at the shop manual and found that the headlamp switch runs through the buzzer for the 93-95 cherokees. They changed this pretty quickly Chrysler must have noticed the weakness in this system - a failure mode that your headlamps don't work is quite severe in my experience in the automotive industry. I unplugged the "Combination Buzzer" and still had the same issue.
My next steps are to replace the combination buzzer and then start replacing the 1/2 ISO relays (the smaller ones) on the relay module. I will post the wiring schematic from my shop manual in the next few days.

Did you find a solution to this?
Thanks
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Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 AT 5:20 PM
Tiny
LHSJACKETS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I finally took my cherokee to a local mechanic. I was almost embarrassed with the solution. They found a fuse blown (I think it was for the warning buzzer). Aparently the way the headlight switch is made, the internal contacts can make contact and put power to places making it seem that the switch is malfunctioning. I guess when everything is working normally you can't see it. By the way, they thought the original cause was probably the door switch (They use an online service where other mechanics post problems they've seen). Bottom line they replaced the fuse, an $8 door switch and everything has been doing great for the last month and a half. I hope this helps! Good Luck!
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Tuesday, July 15th, 2008 AT 8:04 PM
Tiny
BTMARUSAK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
That helped quite a bit. Stupid me, I didn't look for the simplest solution first!
I found a fuse number 5, a 15A ATO fuse blown. I replaced it and everything was working fine. As I put the switch together, the fuse blew again. Contrary to the shop manual instructions, I didn't disconnect the battery. This is most likely the culperit of the second fuse blow. I'll repost if the fuse blows again. This may mean I have short somewhere in the wiring harness.
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Thursday, July 17th, 2008 AT 12:34 PM
Tiny
METAVIEW
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
So grateful for this forum. I had the same problem described above. I turned on the engine, hit the light-switch, and nothing. I then checked the fuses due to reading the experiences above. The fuses were all good.

After purchasing a switch I had a friend install it. After he installed the switch the headlights came on but the rest of the lights, i.E, parking, breaks, etc, did not work. What was the problem?

It turns out that the fuse described above blew because the Mechanic forgot to take the cable off of the battery. We tested this theory by putting in the old switch after replacing in the fuse--which demonstrated that the switch was bad. We then put in a new fuse, took the cable off the battery, installed the new switch and were good to go! So the moral of my story is to be sure to unplug your battery. It may save some money. I'm also deeply grateful to you guys for sharing your experiences. This whole episode has given me an appreciation for sites like this one.
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Friday, March 19th, 2010 AT 7:47 PM
Tiny
2CON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I installed a new headlight switch this weekend after loosing all my hair. I had it working great untill I took it apart again to put the dash back together! Now I know exactly what you mean by a sweet spot! I havnt checked the fuses since I installed the switch. I am stoked to go home and look for that fuse!
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Monday, October 22nd, 2012 AT 6:24 PM
Tiny
2CON
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Yup it was the problem!
I normally never post on forums and rather just read through them. I never thought a simple google search almost a paragraph long would get me so far! After replacing headlight switch twice and I purchased a new harness, I am so stoked that this is what was wrong with my lights!

Thanks so much!
Woohoo! I am now stoked to drive this winter now!
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Tuesday, October 23rd, 2012 AT 1:01 AM
Tiny
CHRIS TURNER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Ok my issue is on a 95 Cherokee. I turn the key off and the headlights come on. At times it buzzes. What could be the cause? I also noticed at times they don't come on but it will also kill my battery.
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Monday, May 30th, 2016 AT 6:03 PM
Tiny
CRAZY MAE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I have the same problem in my 1994 Jeep Cherokee and I have replaced the switch with 3 new switches. I did blow a fuse because I didn't undo the negative battery wire but it still didn't work. I will recheck my fuses.
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Saturday, October 12th, 2019 AT 9:08 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay. Please let us know if you still can't figure it out and we will be sure to assist. However, it would be best if you start a new post with all your specific information.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

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Sunday, October 13th, 2019 AT 10:25 AM

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