86 Cherokee. Need desperate electrical help!!!! plz
 

Hi all
I just recently accuired an 86 cherokee. It has had its orignal motor
pulled and swapped from an 89, both were/are 2.5l (Not by me.) Here is
my problem. I drove the cherokee for about a half hour with all the
head lights on with out any problems. It had no radio at the time, so
the next day I went over to my bud's house and we put in a radio. This
time when I went to pull the headlight switch all my parking lights and
instrument lights in the dash are out. The radio works fine no problems
the previous owner said that it would drain the batteries power but I
think he had the 12v and the key on switch reversed so the radio always
thought the key was in the on position. I change the fuse and pull the
switch it snaps it. Some fuses it even started to melt them. Now
someone also spliced in a remote starter into it,the wiring underneath
the dash has more cuts then a Thanksgiving Turkey. I started then
looking at the fuse block and a diagram I have of what kind of fuses go
where and what amp-age. Well on mine it says to run a 10amp fuse in it,
the previous owner had a 15amp fuse in there, could this have fried out
my headlightswitch? He also had over juiced the radio one from a 15 to
a 25 I caught all of those and fixed all of them. So I start tapinging
up and recutting new lines, the consent 12v wire that goes into the
headlight switch was fried pretty bad so I thought I had found it, but
it wasn't it. So I pulled all the marker lights today to see if it was
a bad bulb with all the bulbs out I put the fuse in the block pulled
the headlight switch and it snapped the fuse. My headlights work, so do
my turning signals, and if you apply the brake the brake lights do come
one nice and strong so what could be snapping my fuse for the park and
interiour lights everytime I pull the switch? Could it be a bad ground?
Where are the grounds located for all the parking lights? I've had this
problem for 2 weeks now almsot as long as I've owned the jeep lol : (
.. I found at the bottom by the gas pedal 3 black wires with white
stripes running to what looked like a conactor thats just hanging
there. It was tucked behind the carpet. It breaks off the main computer
harness underneath the driver side to the right up by the heat duct.
Anyone know what would go to? I could send a pic if need be.

Sorry for it being so long I just wanted to be as specific as possiable
if you want pictures of anything or have questions feel free to shoot,
I'll be watching the forum for any help.

Sincerely

Dave

Re: 86 Cherokee. Need desperate electrical help!!!! plz
 

I have a Physics degree, I studied Electrical Engineering for four years in
graduate school, and I have done lots of house wiring too, but I have a
horror of automotive electrical systems. There is just something, about
driving down a winding country road, with no moon, and having all the lights
go out at once. I can't forget it, not even thirty-five years later. It
would have been worse, had it been night time!

You do not have a bad ground. What you have, is the wire to one of the park
or interior lights shorted to ground. Unplug the connector from the back of
the light switch. Using a continuity tester or an ohm meter, figure out
which of the connections to the switch has zero or very small resistance.
Trace from that connection to the point where there is a wire, with its
insulation skinned off, contacting part of the vehicle body. It may also
help to unplug the marker and park light bulbs, and test the bulb socket for
evidence of a short. If your interior light is part of the same circuit, it
may also be the problem.

Earle

"Dave G" <davidgibbons81@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1143779121.449626.42570@t31g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
> Hi all
> I just recently accuired an 86 cherokee. It has had its orignal motor
> pulled and swapped from an 89, both were/are 2.5l (Not by me.) Here is
> my problem. I drove the cherokee for about a half hour with all the
> head lights on with out any problems. It had no radio at the time, so
> the next day I went over to my bud's house and we put in a radio. This
> time when I went to pull the headlight switch all my parking lights and
> instrument lights in the dash are out. The radio works fine no problems
> the previous owner said that it would drain the batteries power but I
> think he had the 12v and the key on switch reversed so the radio always
> thought the key was in the on position. I change the fuse and pull the
> switch it snaps it. Some fuses it even started to melt them. Now
> someone also spliced in a remote starter into it,the wiring underneath
> the dash has more cuts then a Thanksgiving Turkey. I started then
> looking at the fuse block and a diagram I have of what kind of fuses go
> where and what amp-age. Well on mine it says to run a 10amp fuse in it,
> the previous owner had a 15amp fuse in there, could this have fried out
> my headlightswitch? He also had over juiced the radio one from a 15 to
> a 25 I caught all of those and fixed all of them. So I start tapinging
> up and recutting new lines, the consent 12v wire that goes into the
> headlight switch was fried pretty bad so I thought I had found it, but
> it wasn't it. So I pulled all the marker lights today to see if it was
> a bad bulb with all the bulbs out I put the fuse in the block pulled
> the headlight switch and it snapped the fuse. My headlights work, so do
> my turning signals, and if you apply the brake the brake lights do come
> one nice and strong so what could be snapping my fuse for the park and
> interiour lights everytime I pull the switch? Could it be a bad ground?
> Where are the grounds located for all the parking lights? I've had this
> problem for 2 weeks now almsot as long as I've owned the jeep lol : (
> . I found at the bottom by the gas pedal 3 black wires with white
> stripes running to what looked like a conactor thats just hanging
> there. It was tucked behind the carpet. It breaks off the main computer
> harness underneath the driver side to the right up by the heat duct.
> Anyone know what would go to? I could send a pic if need be.
>
> Sorry for it being so long I just wanted to be as specific as possiable
> if you want pictures of anything or have questions feel free to shoot,
> I'll be watching the forum for any help.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Dave
>


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*** Encrypt your Internet usage with a free VPN account from http://www.SecureIX.com ***

Re: 86 Cherokee. Need desperate electrical help!!!! plz
 

I have a Physics degree, I studied Electrical Engineering for four years in
graduate school, and I have done lots of house wiring too, but I have a
horror of automotive electrical systems. There is just something, about
driving down a winding country road, with no moon, and having all the lights
go out at once. I can't forget it, not even thirty-five years later. It
would have been worse, had it been night time!

You do not have a bad ground. What you have, is the wire to one of the park
or interior lights shorted to ground. Unplug the connector from the back of
the light switch. Using a continuity tester or an ohm meter, figure out
which of the connections to the switch has zero or very small resistance.
Trace from that connection to the point where there is a wire, with its
insulation skinned off, contacting part of the vehicle body. It may also
help to unplug the marker and park light bulbs, and test the bulb socket for
evidence of a short. If your interior light is part of the same circuit, it
may also be the problem.

Earle

"Dave G" <davidgibbons81@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1143779121.449626.42570@t31g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
> Hi all
> I just recently accuired an 86 cherokee. It has had its orignal motor
> pulled and swapped from an 89, both were/are 2.5l (Not by me.) Here is
> my problem. I drove the cherokee for about a half hour with all the
> head lights on with out any problems. It had no radio at the time, so
> the next day I went over to my bud's house and we put in a radio. This
> time when I went to pull the headlight switch all my parking lights and
> instrument lights in the dash are out. The radio works fine no problems
> the previous owner said that it would drain the batteries power but I
> think he had the 12v and the key on switch reversed so the radio always
> thought the key was in the on position. I change the fuse and pull the
> switch it snaps it. Some fuses it even started to melt them. Now
> someone also spliced in a remote starter into it,the wiring underneath
> the dash has more cuts then a Thanksgiving Turkey. I started then
> looking at the fuse block and a diagram I have of what kind of fuses go
> where and what amp-age. Well on mine it says to run a 10amp fuse in it,
> the previous owner had a 15amp fuse in there, could this have fried out
> my headlightswitch? He also had over juiced the radio one from a 15 to
> a 25 I caught all of those and fixed all of them. So I start tapinging
> up and recutting new lines, the consent 12v wire that goes into the
> headlight switch was fried pretty bad so I thought I had found it, but
> it wasn't it. So I pulled all the marker lights today to see if it was
> a bad bulb with all the bulbs out I put the fuse in the block pulled
> the headlight switch and it snapped the fuse. My headlights work, so do
> my turning signals, and if you apply the brake the brake lights do come
> one nice and strong so what could be snapping my fuse for the park and
> interiour lights everytime I pull the switch? Could it be a bad ground?
> Where are the grounds located for all the parking lights? I've had this
> problem for 2 weeks now almsot as long as I've owned the jeep lol : (
> . I found at the bottom by the gas pedal 3 black wires with white
> stripes running to what looked like a conactor thats just hanging
> there. It was tucked behind the carpet. It breaks off the main computer
> harness underneath the driver side to the right up by the heat duct.
> Anyone know what would go to? I could send a pic if need be.
>
> Sorry for it being so long I just wanted to be as specific as possiable
> if you want pictures of anything or have questions feel free to shoot,
> I'll be watching the forum for any help.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Dave
>


*** Free account sponsored by SecureIX.com ***
*** Encrypt your Internet usage with a free VPN account from http://www.SecureIX.com ***

Re: 86 Cherokee. Need desperate electrical help!!!! plz
 

I have a Physics degree, I studied Electrical Engineering for four years in
graduate school, and I have done lots of house wiring too, but I have a
horror of automotive electrical systems. There is just something, about
driving down a winding country road, with no moon, and having all the lights
go out at once. I can't forget it, not even thirty-five years later. It
would have been worse, had it been night time!

You do not have a bad ground. What you have, is the wire to one of the park
or interior lights shorted to ground. Unplug the connector from the back of
the light switch. Using a continuity tester or an ohm meter, figure out
which of the connections to the switch has zero or very small resistance.
Trace from that connection to the point where there is a wire, with its
insulation skinned off, contacting part of the vehicle body. It may also
help to unplug the marker and park light bulbs, and test the bulb socket for
evidence of a short. If your interior light is part of the same circuit, it
may also be the problem.

Earle

"Dave G" <davidgibbons81@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:1143779121.449626.42570@t31g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
> Hi all
> I just recently accuired an 86 cherokee. It has had its orignal motor
> pulled and swapped from an 89, both were/are 2.5l (Not by me.) Here is
> my problem. I drove the cherokee for about a half hour with all the
> head lights on with out any problems. It had no radio at the time, so
> the next day I went over to my bud's house and we put in a radio. This
> time when I went to pull the headlight switch all my parking lights and
> instrument lights in the dash are out. The radio works fine no problems
> the previous owner said that it would drain the batteries power but I
> think he had the 12v and the key on switch reversed so the radio always
> thought the key was in the on position. I change the fuse and pull the
> switch it snaps it. Some fuses it even started to melt them. Now
> someone also spliced in a remote starter into it,the wiring underneath
> the dash has more cuts then a Thanksgiving Turkey. I started then
> looking at the fuse block and a diagram I have of what kind of fuses go
> where and what amp-age. Well on mine it says to run a 10amp fuse in it,
> the previous owner had a 15amp fuse in there, could this have fried out
> my headlightswitch? He also had over juiced the radio one from a 15 to
> a 25 I caught all of those and fixed all of them. So I start tapinging
> up and recutting new lines, the consent 12v wire that goes into the
> headlight switch was fried pretty bad so I thought I had found it, but
> it wasn't it. So I pulled all the marker lights today to see if it was
> a bad bulb with all the bulbs out I put the fuse in the block pulled
> the headlight switch and it snapped the fuse. My headlights work, so do
> my turning signals, and if you apply the brake the brake lights do come
> one nice and strong so what could be snapping my fuse for the park and
> interiour lights everytime I pull the switch? Could it be a bad ground?
> Where are the grounds located for all the parking lights? I've had this
> problem for 2 weeks now almsot as long as I've owned the jeep lol : (
> . I found at the bottom by the gas pedal 3 black wires with white
> stripes running to what looked like a conactor thats just hanging
> there. It was tucked behind the carpet. It breaks off the main computer
> harness underneath the driver side to the right up by the heat duct.
> Anyone know what would go to? I could send a pic if need be.
>
> Sorry for it being so long I just wanted to be as specific as possiable
> if you want pictures of anything or have questions feel free to shoot,
> I'll be watching the forum for any help.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Dave
>


*** Free account sponsored by SecureIX.com ***
*** Encrypt your Internet usage with a free VPN account from http://www.SecureIX.com ***

Re: 86 Cherokee. Need desperate electrical help!!!! plz
 

You are describing ground theft.

There should be a wire mesh cable running from the engine block to the
firewall.

On some there are computer grounds bolted to the inside firewall just
above and to the right of the gas pedal. The rest of the computer
grounds should be bolted to the engine block by the oil dipstick.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Dave G wrote:
>
> Hi all
> I just recently accuired an 86 cherokee. It has had its orignal motor
> pulled and swapped from an 89, both were/are 2.5l (Not by me.) Here is
> my problem. I drove the cherokee for about a half hour with all the
> head lights on with out any problems. It had no radio at the time, so
> the next day I went over to my bud's house and we put in a radio. This
> time when I went to pull the headlight switch all my parking lights and
> instrument lights in the dash are out. The radio works fine no problems
> the previous owner said that it would drain the batteries power but I
> think he had the 12v and the key on switch reversed so the radio always
> thought the key was in the on position. I change the fuse and pull the
> switch it snaps it. Some fuses it even started to melt them. Now
> someone also spliced in a remote starter into it,the wiring underneath
> the dash has more cuts then a Thanksgiving Turkey. I started then
> looking at the fuse block and a diagram I have of what kind of fuses go
> where and what amp-age. Well on mine it says to run a 10amp fuse in it,
> the previous owner had a 15amp fuse in there, could this have fried out
> my headlightswitch? He also had over juiced the radio one from a 15 to
> a 25 I caught all of those and fixed all of them. So I start tapinging
> up and recutting new lines, the consent 12v wire that goes into the
> headlight switch was fried pretty bad so I thought I had found it, but
> it wasn't it. So I pulled all the marker lights today to see if it was
> a bad bulb with all the bulbs out I put the fuse in the block pulled
> the headlight switch and it snapped the fuse. My headlights work, so do
> my turning signals, and if you apply the brake the brake lights do come
> one nice and strong so what could be snapping my fuse for the park and
> interiour lights everytime I pull the switch? Could it be a bad ground?
> Where are the grounds located for all the parking lights? I've had this
> problem for 2 weeks now almsot as long as I've owned the jeep lol : (
> . I found at the bottom by the gas pedal 3 black wires with white
> stripes running to what looked like a conactor thats just hanging
> there. It was tucked behind the carpet. It breaks off the main computer
> harness underneath the driver side to the right up by the heat duct.
> Anyone know what would go to? I could send a pic if need be.
>
> Sorry for it being so long I just wanted to be as specific as possiable
> if you want pictures of anything or have questions feel free to shoot,
> I'll be watching the forum for any help.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Dave

Re: 86 Cherokee. Need desperate electrical help!!!! plz
 

You are describing ground theft.

There should be a wire mesh cable running from the engine block to the
firewall.

On some there are computer grounds bolted to the inside firewall just
above and to the right of the gas pedal. The rest of the computer
grounds should be bolted to the engine block by the oil dipstick.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Dave G wrote:
>
> Hi all
> I just recently accuired an 86 cherokee. It has had its orignal motor
> pulled and swapped from an 89, both were/are 2.5l (Not by me.) Here is
> my problem. I drove the cherokee for about a half hour with all the
> head lights on with out any problems. It had no radio at the time, so
> the next day I went over to my bud's house and we put in a radio. This
> time when I went to pull the headlight switch all my parking lights and
> instrument lights in the dash are out. The radio works fine no problems
> the previous owner said that it would drain the batteries power but I
> think he had the 12v and the key on switch reversed so the radio always
> thought the key was in the on position. I change the fuse and pull the
> switch it snaps it. Some fuses it even started to melt them. Now
> someone also spliced in a remote starter into it,the wiring underneath
> the dash has more cuts then a Thanksgiving Turkey. I started then
> looking at the fuse block and a diagram I have of what kind of fuses go
> where and what amp-age. Well on mine it says to run a 10amp fuse in it,
> the previous owner had a 15amp fuse in there, could this have fried out
> my headlightswitch? He also had over juiced the radio one from a 15 to
> a 25 I caught all of those and fixed all of them. So I start tapinging
> up and recutting new lines, the consent 12v wire that goes into the
> headlight switch was fried pretty bad so I thought I had found it, but
> it wasn't it. So I pulled all the marker lights today to see if it was
> a bad bulb with all the bulbs out I put the fuse in the block pulled
> the headlight switch and it snapped the fuse. My headlights work, so do
> my turning signals, and if you apply the brake the brake lights do come
> one nice and strong so what could be snapping my fuse for the park and
> interiour lights everytime I pull the switch? Could it be a bad ground?
> Where are the grounds located for all the parking lights? I've had this
> problem for 2 weeks now almsot as long as I've owned the jeep lol : (
> . I found at the bottom by the gas pedal 3 black wires with white
> stripes running to what looked like a conactor thats just hanging
> there. It was tucked behind the carpet. It breaks off the main computer
> harness underneath the driver side to the right up by the heat duct.
> Anyone know what would go to? I could send a pic if need be.
>
> Sorry for it being so long I just wanted to be as specific as possiable
> if you want pictures of anything or have questions feel free to shoot,
> I'll be watching the forum for any help.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Dave

Re: 86 Cherokee. Need desperate electrical help!!!! plz
 

You are describing ground theft.

There should be a wire mesh cable running from the engine block to the
firewall.

On some there are computer grounds bolted to the inside firewall just
above and to the right of the gas pedal. The rest of the computer
grounds should be bolted to the engine block by the oil dipstick.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Dave G wrote:
>
> Hi all
> I just recently accuired an 86 cherokee. It has had its orignal motor
> pulled and swapped from an 89, both were/are 2.5l (Not by me.) Here is
> my problem. I drove the cherokee for about a half hour with all the
> head lights on with out any problems. It had no radio at the time, so
> the next day I went over to my bud's house and we put in a radio. This
> time when I went to pull the headlight switch all my parking lights and
> instrument lights in the dash are out. The radio works fine no problems
> the previous owner said that it would drain the batteries power but I
> think he had the 12v and the key on switch reversed so the radio always
> thought the key was in the on position. I change the fuse and pull the
> switch it snaps it. Some fuses it even started to melt them. Now
> someone also spliced in a remote starter into it,the wiring underneath
> the dash has more cuts then a Thanksgiving Turkey. I started then
> looking at the fuse block and a diagram I have of what kind of fuses go
> where and what amp-age. Well on mine it says to run a 10amp fuse in it,
> the previous owner had a 15amp fuse in there, could this have fried out
> my headlightswitch? He also had over juiced the radio one from a 15 to
> a 25 I caught all of those and fixed all of them. So I start tapinging
> up and recutting new lines, the consent 12v wire that goes into the
> headlight switch was fried pretty bad so I thought I had found it, but
> it wasn't it. So I pulled all the marker lights today to see if it was
> a bad bulb with all the bulbs out I put the fuse in the block pulled
> the headlight switch and it snapped the fuse. My headlights work, so do
> my turning signals, and if you apply the brake the brake lights do come
> one nice and strong so what could be snapping my fuse for the park and
> interiour lights everytime I pull the switch? Could it be a bad ground?
> Where are the grounds located for all the parking lights? I've had this
> problem for 2 weeks now almsot as long as I've owned the jeep lol : (
> . I found at the bottom by the gas pedal 3 black wires with white
> stripes running to what looked like a conactor thats just hanging
> there. It was tucked behind the carpet. It breaks off the main computer
> harness underneath the driver side to the right up by the heat duct.
> Anyone know what would go to? I could send a pic if need be.
>
> Sorry for it being so long I just wanted to be as specific as possiable
> if you want pictures of anything or have questions feel free to shoot,
> I'll be watching the forum for any help.
>
> Sincerely
>
> Dave

Re: 86 Cherokee. Need desperate electrical help!!!! plz
 

Hi all its me again.

I pulled the instrument panel out none of the bulbs seem to be shorted
I tried a new fuse with the instrument cluster out and pulled the
headlight switch and it still blows a fuse. Where are all the grounds
at for the parking lights, all of them seem to run back into a black
wire!!!!! Nothing that I have found ties it back into the frame or the
battery for an actual ground. How do I work an ohm meter I have one and
when I touch say the red probe to the blue wire which would be the
parking lights and then to either the body for a ground or the black
wire coming out of the back of the headlight switch, I get a reading of
either.008 or .002. and it beeps at me???????? Does this mean the
circuit is good or bad??? I pulling my teeth out cause every time I
turn around I find something else wrong with this jeep, its all mostly
mechanical stuff so no prob, but this electricity stuff I'm almost
clueless, and to top it all of it looks like someone has screwed around
with the wiring......bad. Like 4 black wires that run from the signal
lights (I believe), the marker lights and 2 other sources run in a
plastic flex tube and are soldered to 3 black wires then it was wrapped
in Duct Tape!!!!!!! I need desperate help and please feel free to go
into depth with things.
This is driving me crazy................ Literaly

Sincerely

Dave

Re: 86 Cherokee. Need desperate electrical help!!!! plz
 

Hi all its me again.

I pulled the instrument panel out none of the bulbs seem to be shorted
I tried a new fuse with the instrument cluster out and pulled the
headlight switch and it still blows a fuse. Where are all the grounds
at for the parking lights, all of them seem to run back into a black
wire!!!!! Nothing that I have found ties it back into the frame or the
battery for an actual ground. How do I work an ohm meter I have one and
when I touch say the red probe to the blue wire which would be the
parking lights and then to either the body for a ground or the black
wire coming out of the back of the headlight switch, I get a reading of
either.008 or .002. and it beeps at me???????? Does this mean the
circuit is good or bad??? I pulling my teeth out cause every time I
turn around I find something else wrong with this jeep, its all mostly
mechanical stuff so no prob, but this electricity stuff I'm almost
clueless, and to top it all of it looks like someone has screwed around
with the wiring......bad. Like 4 black wires that run from the signal
lights (I believe), the marker lights and 2 other sources run in a
plastic flex tube and are soldered to 3 black wires then it was wrapped
in Duct Tape!!!!!!! I need desperate help and please feel free to go
into depth with things.
This is driving me crazy................ Literaly

Sincerely

Dave

Re: 86 Cherokee. Need desperate electrical help!!!! plz
 

Hi all its me again.

I pulled the instrument panel out none of the bulbs seem to be shorted
I tried a new fuse with the instrument cluster out and pulled the
headlight switch and it still blows a fuse. Where are all the grounds
at for the parking lights, all of them seem to run back into a black
wire!!!!! Nothing that I have found ties it back into the frame or the
battery for an actual ground. How do I work an ohm meter I have one and
when I touch say the red probe to the blue wire which would be the
parking lights and then to either the body for a ground or the black
wire coming out of the back of the headlight switch, I get a reading of
either.008 or .002. and it beeps at me???????? Does this mean the
circuit is good or bad??? I pulling my teeth out cause every time I
turn around I find something else wrong with this jeep, its all mostly
mechanical stuff so no prob, but this electricity stuff I'm almost
clueless, and to top it all of it looks like someone has screwed around
with the wiring......bad. Like 4 black wires that run from the signal
lights (I believe), the marker lights and 2 other sources run in a
plastic flex tube and are soldered to 3 black wires then it was wrapped
in Duct Tape!!!!!!! I need desperate help and please feel free to go
into depth with things.
This is driving me crazy................ Literaly

Sincerely

Dave