tail lights

KaptinKari · 07-02-2009, 06:55 PM

I just bought a 1988 Jeep Cherokee. My tail lights do not work, but my brake lights and turn signals do. I want to install an on/off switch for my tail lights, but I don't know where to begin. Can anyone please help me? Any advice is appreciated.

~~posting pictures soon.

CreepyKrawerOffroad · 07-02-2009, 09:11 PM

Check the bulbs and fuses before you start cutting wires and adding switches. Do you have a Digital Multimeter?

KaptinKari · 07-02-2009, 09:48 PM

Its not the bulbs. And I was told by a mechanic it wasn't a fuse since the heat lights work. All I was hoping I could so was run an on/off switch to the tail lights only. Is this possible?

**96sport** · 07-02-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CreepyKrawerOffroad

Check the bulbs and fuses before you start cutting wires and adding switches. Do you have a Digital Multimeter?

x2. There's a reason why it's not working. Make sure that you check all the grounds. I had this problem with my chevy and the tail light sockets were wore out and didn't have a good ground.

CreepyKrawerOffroad · 07-02-2009, 11:25 PM

yes it is possible but it is kind of weird. All you have to do is trace 2 wires I don't see why you want to put a switch and not just fix the problem at hand

XJinPA · 07-03-2009, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KaptinKari

Its not the bulbs. And I was told by a mechanic it wasn't a fuse since the heat lights work. All I was hoping I could so was run an on/off switch to the tail lights only. Is this possible?

The mechanic was wrong then. The headlights and tail lights turn on and off with the same switch but they are on different fuses. Do the brake lights work?

KaptinKari · 07-03-2009, 03:50 PM

Yes, brake light and turn signals work. I just wanna put the tail lights on a switch since they are not working already. I eventually want to put everything on switches out of the way of the steering wheel since i do off-roading. I saw this in a magazine and liked the idea.

jerman75 · 07-03-2009, 07:36 PM

you can put anything on a switch no prob, but before you do i would recommend finding what the problem is before doing any kind of work around. if for nothing else, do it for safety reasons. electrical issues is a vehicle can be a dangerous thing. the pull out switch that controls the exterior lights and the dash lights has a little stone in it that is used to control the dimming feature for the dash lights. personally i always have the dash lights as bright as they can go. if you dont care about the dimming thing, you can eliminate that switch all together and put the dash and all the exterior lights on a toggle switch somewhere else. just be sure to always use the proper amount and size relays.

i was always partial to doing push button starts cause i just think they are cool

**ZackXJ** · 07-03-2009, 08:12 PM

i dont recomend putting in an on off switch, try as best you can to have the lights work as intended by the manufacture, the people that owned my xj before had done this with the pre vent blower for the ac, and now its working with out it, so i have a weird looking switch on my console that does nothing, fix it right.

KaptinKari · 07-07-2009, 08:36 PM

Well, it was the fuses...found out tonight.. thanks everyone for all your help. I am one happy chick here!! On to the next problem..lol

07-02-2009, 06:55 PM	#1
KaptinKari Newbie 1988 XJ iTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 16	tail lights I just bought a 1988 Jeep Cherokee. My tail lights do not work, but my brake lights and turn signals do. I want to install an on/off switch for my tail lights, but I don't know where to begin. Can anyone please help me? Any advice is appreciated. ~~posting pictures soon.

07-02-2009, 09:11 PM	#2
CreepyKrawerOffroad Experienced 99 XJ iTrader: (0) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 288	Check the bulbs and fuses before you start cutting wires and adding switches. Do you have a Digital Multimeter? __________________ June Modified Jeep of The Month Mods to install:Dana 30 shafts, Ford 8.8, 4.88 gears, Locker (haven't decided what kind) Steering Box Brace, 35'' or 37'' Goodyear Wrangler MT or BFG KM2. What ever I can get the best deal at work.

07-02-2009, 11:25 PM	#5
CreepyKrawerOffroad Experienced 99 XJ iTrader: (0) Join Date: May 2009 Location: Oregon Posts: 288	yes it is possible but it is kind of weird. All you have to do is trace 2 wires I don't see why you want to put a switch and not just fix the problem at hand __________________ June Modified Jeep of The Month Mods to install:Dana 30 shafts, Ford 8.8, 4.88 gears, Locker (haven't decided what kind) Steering Box Brace, 35'' or 37'' Goodyear Wrangler MT or BFG KM2. What ever I can get the best deal at work.

07-03-2009, 08:12 PM	#9
ZackXJ hmm... 1994 Cherokee Sport iTrader: (0) Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Little Mountain SC Posts: 1,061 Blog Entries: 4	i dont recomend putting in an on off switch, try as best you can to have the lights work as intended by the manufacture, the people that owned my xj before had done this with the pre vent blower for the ac, and now its working with out it, so i have a weird looking switch on my console that does nothing, fix it right. __________________ Rebel Flag - heratage not hate. Proud owner of Bulletproof. The Big Bad Jeep. As soon as i get money coming back in the build will begin!

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

07-02-2009, 09:48 PM	#3
KaptinKari Newbie 1988 XJ iTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 16	Its not the bulbs. And I was told by a mechanic it wasn't a fuse since the heat lights work. All I was hoping I could so was run an on/off switch to the tail lights only. Is this possible?

07-03-2009, 03:50 PM	#7
KaptinKari Newbie 1988 XJ iTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 16	Yes, brake light and turn signals work. I just wanna put the tail lights on a switch since they are not working already. I eventually want to put everything on switches out of the way of the steering wheel since i do off-roading. I saw this in a magazine and liked the idea.

07-03-2009, 07:36 PM	#8
jerman75 Senior Member 1998 XJ Sport iTrader: (0) Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Medina, New York Posts: 920	you can put anything on a switch no prob, but before you do i would recommend finding what the problem is before doing any kind of work around. if for nothing else, do it for safety reasons. electrical issues is a vehicle can be a dangerous thing. the pull out switch that controls the exterior lights and the dash lights has a little stone in it that is used to control the dimming feature for the dash lights. personally i always have the dash lights as bright as they can go. if you dont care about the dimming thing, you can eliminate that switch all together and put the dash and all the exterior lights on a toggle switch somewhere else. just be sure to always use the proper amount and size relays. i was always partial to doing push button starts cause i just think they are cool

07-07-2009, 08:36 PM	#10
KaptinKari Newbie 1988 XJ iTrader: (0) Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 16	Well, it was the fuses...found out tonight.. thanks everyone for all your help. I am one happy chick here!! On to the next problem..lol

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
Smoke your Tail lights	CreepyKrawerOffroad	Technical Articles	35	01-29-2010 12:17 AM
metal tail lights?	garett73	Cherokee and Comanche Modified Forum	7	06-13-2009 12:21 PM
XJ +97 Tail Light Smoked Tail Lights	CreepyKrawerOffroad	For Sale	10	06-10-2009 07:50 PM
Its Here, Metal tail lights!	CreepyKrawerOffroad	Cherokee and Comanche Modified Forum	8	05-29-2009 02:13 AM
Tail lights	Moparmudder420	Cherokee and Comanche Stock Forum	2	03-12-2009 07:51 PM