I just bought a used 1988 Cherokee and I am going to have to do some work to it before I can get it registered.

I need to get the back up lights working and I'm having some trouble with that.

I check the switch on the tranny and it seems to be OK. (Yes the lamps are good). I was checking the fuse box and it has a fuse thats labeled turn and BU I'm assuming the BU stands for back up?? It good anyway.

Any ideas on what else I can check? Are the back up lights fused??

 

The bulbs?

Moved to Cherokee Forum from Grand section.

 

Maybe a bad switch.

 

I had trouble with mine too. It ended up being the conectors that you put the light bulbs in were bad. So maybe try to clean those out or get new ones.

 

I had a problem with my backup lights blowing the fuse when I would hook up a 4-pin trailer. When shifting in reverse I would blow the backup lights. I found there was a mini fuse located in the fuse box under the hood. I can't remember which fuse it was, but using a light probe, check to see which fuse is out and replace it. This may help your problem.

 

Thanks for the tips.

So far no luck. Like I said I just got the Cherokee so I've been doing exploratory surgery on it all day.

I think the problem may be the fuse marked "tranny" I've had so much stuff torn apart I didn't get a chance to verify that. I need to get some fuses .

I discovered I need an 8mm socket to get the wheels off an if you try and use a 11/16 you have to pound the lug nut out of the socket.

I did get a wheel off and found out why the emergency brake wasn't working. the slack adjuster parts fell out when I pulled the drum.

I'm off to the parts store in the morning.

This little Jeep is going to be quite the project. Any body know how the slack adjusters are supposed to go together.

 

Are you talking about the neutral safety switch? If so how did you check it? I took mine off and sanded the points inside the switch and regreased the switch and put it back together. I no longer had back up light issues. Gd luck

 

I had the same issue with my XJ. You can't tell from the outside that the switch has built up corrosion or the contacts are too, warn. What I had to do is remove the neutral safety switch. First off, Mark the position of the switch prior to removal. This will save headaches and time when re-install. Remove the switch. Carefully take it appart. Clean all contact surfaces with a light emery cloth, grease it generously with Di-electric grease, then align makes made prior and carefully re-install.

 

Clean the NSS

 

I checked the switch on the transmission. The one that has a push on two contact plug. I put a meter on it and then put it in reverse and I got continuity between the to contacts.

where is the neutral safety switch???

 

I have a manual transmission

 

There is still a switch to activate the reverse lights.

 

Ah sorry i must have missed that

 

are they really necessary?!?

 

Yes if you have to pass a vehicle inspection

Mine work intermittently so I'm trying to track down what I'm guessing is a short or bad connection.