Hey all. Newbie here. Anyway, have a 1984 Pioneer with a 2.8L engine. Lost my backup lights. Both bulbs check good. I have been doing some reading in the forums here and on the Internet in general. Seems most of the discussions are regarding the "other" type of NSS switch that frequently goes bad and can be rebuilt. I think the type of switch I'm referring to here is the one on four-speed transmissions. Well, I have the automatic 3-speed tranny with overdrive. It has the screw-in type NSS switch on the driver's side of the tranny with the three connectors on it. I have no power to the backup light sockets. In the fuse panel, there is a fuse that protects the backup lights AND the turn signals, which I checked to be good, and there is power coming into the fuse.

I guess my question is: Does that screw-in NSS switch I have also control my backup lights? I guess what's throwing me is the three prong connector. I seem to have no other issues with this switch. I can only start the Jeep in Park and Neutral. That part seems to be working fine. That would seem to me to be all the switch would control being it has only three connectors on it. Is there some type of adjustment I can make on the linkage, if that is indeed what's wrong here? The lights haven't worked for quite some time. Or, is it just the switch gone bad, at least whatever part of the switch controls the backup lights. I checked power to the sockets with a multimeter. The repair manual I have really doesn't give any great information on this. Any help appreciated. Thanks Tony

 

OK. So, I removed the NSS from the driver's side of the transmission. I sprayed the switch with contact cleaner and blew it out with some air. It is the three-prong one. The prongs are labeled B-N-B, with the "N" in the middle. Using a multimeter, there is continuity between the "N" terminal and the plunger contact on the bottom of the switch. Also, there is continuity between the terminals marked "B" on the switch, until I depress the plastic "plunger" on the bottom of the switch, which results in stopping continuity between the B terminals. To me the switch appears to be working as it should. Just to be sure, though, I took the switch to my nearby O'Reilly's. They had a new switch and I checked the new switch in the same manner as I did with mine, and it worked exactly the same. I did not buy the new switch.

I reinstalled the old switch and still have no backup lights. I checked to make sure that the vehicle only starts in Park and Neutral and it does. Also, the "park lock" seems to be working too, as when the shifter is placed in park and the key is turned to off and removed, I cannot move the shifter from park.

Does anyone have any ideas what else I should look at please?

Oh yeah. Now it seems that I have lost my tail lights, my license plate lights, and my dash light. These were all working previously. WTF?

Does anyone have a wiring diagram for my 1984 Cherokee? The Haynes manual I have does not have one. Thanks

 

Lucky ! I have a weak spot for 84,85,86 V 6 Pioneers. If yours is gray with the red cloth interior and the tow package I will be jealous.

First thing I did with mine was get a Factory Service Manual. I'm pretty sure Pacific Coast Manuals has a Pdf you can download for around eight bucks that is fully searchable and cross linked.
When my 85 did what yours is doing the culprit for mine was ground connections. Cleaning them to shiny metal and cleaning the light sockets made it all work like it was supposed to. Also fwiw power to the fuse never guarantees power through the fuse. Don't forget to check downstream.