Aloha

I have a 1996 Jeep Cherokee SE, honestly its a junker, but anyway I run into problems frequently is what I getting at. Most I have been able to diagnose and fix myself but I recently developed an issue which needs some expert advising. If you can help me, I would very much appreciate patience. I tired searching for a thread related to my problem but came up empty so far.

For many months my horn doesn't function 100%. When I hit the horn it makes a sound but nothing comparable to a honk like it did before. (I mentioned this mostly because it may or may not pertain to my real problem)

Then my instrument cluster light (where the gauges on the dash) went out. All gauges and lights worked fine other than the main light which lit up the panel so I could see my gauges when driving at night. I am use to driving in crappy cars and because the rest of my gauges worked I didn't pay any mind to it.

Then about a month ago I noticed that my left side headlight went out. I assumed it was a light bulb but before I could buy one the light suddenly game back on and hasn't faltered since.

Finally, three days ago I was driving and nearly had a guy rear end me because my brake lights, blinker and reverse lights suddenly stopped working simultaneously so did my dash blinker and hazards. Normally when I hit them you see the green blinker light up and the clicking sounds to indicate that its on and functioning. It does not do that for the turn signal or hazards.

But here is the odd thing. Even though it appears none of these safety features work. What does work is my headlights, high beams, even low gas light and other indicator lights like the brake light, check engine light.

So in attempts to fix the situation I replaced EVERY FUSE in my car. Made sure all the amps were working. When I looked at the fuses under the hood I tested them and they all had voltage. But I have no idea how to diagnose this issue. I tore apart my dash to check the electrical wires which all seem snug as can be for a junker. As mentioned even with ALL NEW FUSES none of these problems fixed themselves.

So now I am wondering what the heck could cause this issue. I have some pictures and even a video starting my car. but this website won't let me upload is if I can I will post a comment on this threat with the link(s) to both I also have the pictures uploaded to my profile. Please check it out and let me know what your ideas are. Keep in mind that I am a 23 year old female with very little knowledge about cars. I am too broke to take it to a mechanic so any help will be amazing. I am actually scared that I may need to pay someone to repair the fuse box under my dash. WHAT A NIGHTMARE!

PS: Also I noticed I don't have a flasher relay in my fuse panel under the dash. But everything still worked fine before for over a year without one in it.

 

Many lighting problems on the Cherokees can be traced back to either the headlight switch or faulty grounds.
I've never had these issues so I can't give any first hand experience, I'm sure someone else will chime in. But for now consider the switch, easy to replace and cheap. Hope you find its a simple fix. Aloha.

 

I am not a specialist but would suspect a ground issue or multiple ground issues. After 20 years (and salt-air) the ground straps loose contact with chassis and need to be refreshed, cleaned with sandpaper.
Also, if someone added a wire harness for hauling a trailer, it can cause issues with tail lights as the contacts corrode.
The horn issue could be related to grounds or just the wire connection at horn since it is in an exposed location.

Here are diagrams for ground locations.

 

There are interior ground points as well. Left side, drivers foot well has been mentioned before that needs better grounding.

There are fuse box diagrams around here somewhere, or search google images. Flasher not installed is an odd one, but if there is not one, there should be.

Good to see people wanting to fix their own vehicles. A big help for beginners and struggling financially is to find a good U-PULL-IT wrecking yard near you. Assemble an assortment of tools to pack in and pull parts yourself for cheaper than new. I mention this cause I've been there and I always grab a few fuses and relays when I go. Pocket items I call them, get my $2 admission worth of pocket items.