I noticed that the dash light doesn't turn on when I go into 4wd on my newly acquired 2000 Sport. I'm not sure if it's the bulb or the connector on the transfer case, but since it's freezing and snowy in Boston, I can't exactly crawl under the car to check, and I'm hesitant to pull my instrument cluster out.

When you shift from 2wd to 4wd, should the lights change color where the lever is? In my car, they're always Green for 2wd and Orange for every other setting. Is this normal, or should the "in-use" drive type be green? If so, I figured this would tell me if the issue is the dash bulb or the transfer case switch

Thanks!

 

Hey there!

Ive got a 2001 Sport, and my part time light dosent come on either... but i know it should. no the shifter lights dont change color (but you can change them if you want, its just a common bulb, its clear, and i bought red ones for both my shifters its sick!) But no the colors are all just a plastic masking of the bulbs light, and dont change. The problem is either a burnt out bulb, or the sending unit on top of your transfer case. check out this thread to help you, i havent gotten around to it yet, but it will probably help you out.

https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f51/fi...t-np231-37548/


As for changing the lights behind the dash... well i'm looking for a write up on that right now might be posting that link here very soon if i can find one!

Hope this helps ya out - Grant

 

Thanks a lot for the tip. I ended up unplugging the switch and testing it with a jumper. Sure enough, the Part Time light showed up on the dash, so I guess this means the switch is bad.

Any recommendations on how to fix this? Should I just try to clean up the contacts, or should I replace the switch completely. Is this something Auto Zone or AAP would have?

 

I got my switch at Oreillys for like 7-8 bucks, just crawl underneith pull off the plug and use a 7/8 wrench on the switch to take it off. It's real easy to do and about 15 minutes.

 

Great, thanks a lot!

 

X2 my post last night made me go out today to get it, i took a look but then was too cold and decided it can wait till it gets a bit warmer out

but yeah, 7/8 should come right out, if you want u can use some dielectric grease... but a new part might be easier. autozone probably has it, the link i posted has the part # and everything at the end

-Grant

 

Thanks again for the tech tips. I just replaced the switch with this Dorman part from Amazon. Actually a couple bucks cheaper than Auto Zone.


It took a bit of muscle to get the old switch out, but the new one works like a charm. After testing the old one I'm not really sure what happened to it. Pushing in on the ball doesn't give the two contacts continuity. Something must have happened to the internal switch on the part. Either way, my light works now!

Andrew