Overhead console not working

There is a fuse on the passenger side kick panel for the overhead console. Check and make sure it’s ok. Generally those fues won’t blow unless the power and ground has a short or got shorted out by something else in the console or the vanity lights. If you find a blown fuse and it immediately blows again, look for a short or an exposed wire in the console harness.
Just a possible scenario: when the headliner was taken out to glue a cool new fabric on the liner panel a wire was pinch, damaged, scrapped or a pin in the harness could have a lose connection, etc…
Pulling the console is just the screws at the visor clips and then drop down the front at the windshield and slide the clip at the rear of the console out of its seat.

So the fuse checked out. I did find two wire connections unplugged behind the side panel. One of which plugged into the upper corner of the fuse box. Plugging this in got the vanity lights working. But nothing as far as the overhead console. The other one plugged into a connection that had multiple wires which I believe runs to the circuit board in the center of the overhead console.

Have you taken the overhead console out and checked those connections? Is there any sort of damage to any of the panels near the A Pillars or anything that might lead to harness damage? Perhaps the board in the console itself? Look it over for burned solder joints. Try holding both of the buttons on the console at once and see if you hear the reset tone. If you hear the tone, possibly just a bad display?

Yak’n-Wag’n (2001_XJ_2WD) said:

Have you taken the overhead console out and checked those connections? Is there any sort of damage to any of the panels near the A Pillars or anything that might lead to harness damage? Perhaps the board in the console itself? Look it over for burned solder joints. Try holding both of the buttons on the console at once and see if you hear the reset tone. If you hear the tone, possibly just a bad display?

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I have taken out the console and checked both connections. Boards appear to be ok. I tried the reset thing but I didn't hear anything. i did find 2 connections in the side fuse box not hooked up so I plugged them in but still no lights or display.

That’s strange. Since you have looked it all over, and nothing seems to be wrong, I would verify the fuse is still good again. If it blew since you replaced, you have a short somewhere. Is it just the console not functioning or is anything else not working as well? Radio, keyless entry, etc…?

Yak’n-Wag’n (2001_XJ_2WD) said:

That’s strange. Since you have looked it all over, and nothing seems to be wrong, I would verify the fuse is still good again. If it blew since you replaced, you have a short somewhere. Is it just the console not functioning or is anything else not working as well? Radio, keyless entry, etc…?

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So I'm thinking a short. I noticed that when I plugged the harness back into the passenger side fuse box I got the vanity lights back but the cargo light stays on with all the doors closed. If I unplug the same harness the cargo light works like it should with doors open/ close. I'm wondering if maybe a short in one of the vanity lights? I pulled the buttons for each door and tested. I haven't checked the switch for the rear hatch yet but I believe that one might be part of the door latch itself.

The hatch harness has a tendency to break down and break wires at the point where it twists from years of opening and closing. That’s a quick look to see if you have broken wires but taking everything apart to get to the wires is time consuming. Sounds like your best option might be to trace your harnesses to see where the short is. Sorry about the luck man.

Yak’n-Wag’n (2001_XJ_2WD) said:

The hatch harness has a tendency to break down and break wires at the point where it twists from years of opening and closing. That’s a quick look to see if you have broken wires but taking everything apart to get to the wires is time consuming. Sounds like your best option might be to trace your harnesses to see where the short is. Sorry about the luck man.

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So I've narrowed it down, kinda. I did a ground test and it lead me to fuse #16 in the engine bay. This fuse is for dome lamp, cargo lamp, instrument cluster, courtesy lamp, radio, transmission control module, underhood lamp, visor/ vanity lamp, overhead console, keyless entry, glove box lamp, compass. There is an aftermarket stereo so i'm starting there.

Good possibility on that. Hope you get it solved man. Let us know what you find.