Pops63

1996 Cherokee Sport power locks will only lock from driver's side with the door closed and key in ignition. Is this normal operation or should you be able to lock the doors when getting out of vehicle?

Roler

Well it would be handy to be able to close the doors from outside the vehicle. That would be normal operation. You mean with your remote?

​​​​​​Maybe I'm reading your question wrong.

Pops63

Roler .. you may not be reading it wrong, I have a habit of saying it wrong :-) I just bought my Cherokee a couple of months ago and it didn't come with the infra-red remote and they are a bit too expensive to buy. I went out to my Cherokee to make sure what it is doing exactly, it appears to be a normal thing but annoying. The driver's side Power Locks/Windows switch panel will only unlock the doors when the driver's door is open (key in, out, or on), it won't even operate the windows when the key is on. So I was wondering if there is a relay or switch that kills power to that panel or if something is wrong with mine. I have searched the web but can't find anything on it. Thanks... Pops

boxburn

Your locks should operate at all times. Your windows should operate when the key is in Accessory or Run.

Your description of only works when the door is open sounds like you probably have a break or 2 in the doors wiring harness. I had a similar issue where I could only operate the windows with the door open in a certain position.

Sig220

When you consider the age of our vehicles, it is no wonder we have some strange things to report on this forum!

I, too on occasion have trouble with my power locks. Sometimes, if I wait a minute or two after shutting the XJ off, the power locks work from the driver's door switch. Sometimes they only will unlock from the same switch and sometimes they work as they should. They seem to work all the time from the passenger switch....both lock and unlock.
Reminds me of that movie....life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you get until you bite into one. So with my XJ, while reliable some gremlins are always present....like the power door locks. Have a spare switch panel for the drivers door as well, just have not used it yet!

Good Luck!

Pops63

Thanks for the replies ... boxburn .. I figured the windows should work as long as the key is on and that the locks should lock and unlock whether the door is open or closed so I will look into the wiring.
Sig220 ... I guess it is old like me and sometimes things work like they should but don't at other times.

Sig220

Made a small correction for you Pops!

Pops63

Late .. Late ... Update ... most of the wires in the door wiring harness were either broken or about to be broken. I rewired the entire wiring harness and now everything works as it should. Thanks for the help.