2001 cherokee sport 4.0L

My problem starts about a week ago, when I get pulled over in the canyon for only having one tail light and no brake lights.

Problem:
Only passenger tail light works
No brake lights
Blowing fuse 23(brake control switch) in the power distribution center

I'm not great with electrical problems which was why I ditched my last car, but this is what I've done:
Traced the wires going from the switch back to the lights
I've tested the switch using some information found on the forum- it passed, but it's a cheap part so I figured will replace it tomorrow anyway to see if it helps

My question(s): are these issues related? I also found fuse 7 in the kick panel blow which controls the driver side tail light and the center mount or I'm I looking for two different shorts? Where are common problem areas for these issues?

Any input is greatly appreciated as this is my DD and my electrical issues seem to be multiplying.

 

Fuse #7 in the jb feeds the left tail light and license plate light. fuse 23 in pdc feeds the brake lights. if both are blowing the common item to me is the left tail light. i would pull it off, pull the light bulb out, make sure the socket is good and that the light bulb hasnt fused itself together inside the socket. then with the light bulb out i would install new fuses and see if the fuses blow then. if they dont then its possible the bulb is causing them to blow. if the fuses still blow then you probably have a wire chaffing somewhere causing a short.

 

another item to look at would be the electrical towing harness if equipped. occasionally the wires will find a way to break and start shorting out.

 

Thanks bamasteeler.

A few weeks ago I switched the tail light bulbs with some led ones, maybe that's the issue or something shorted when I did it.

 

Something like that is probaly something you want to mention in the first post. have you rechecked all your work? possibly a connection that came loose or maybe a wire routed the wrong way that may have gotten pinched?

 

If you keep blowing fuses that is telling right off the bat that you do have a short. You are going to have to recheck all of the wires to the rear lights. Let us know what you find.
Good Luck!

 

I've been busy, but what I found was the base of the brake light bulb had gotten hot enough to start to melt base till the bulbs contacts touched and shorted. The plastic base of the led bulb is definitely cheaper than the normal bulbs, and these were the most expensive ones auto zone offers. I haven't hear of this happening before.

 

yea that's kind of bizarre, especially since LEDs are supposed to draw considerably less current and thus create less heat. glad you found it though.

 

There have been problems with shorts found in the liftgate wiring chafing due to movement of the liftgate.

Chafed wires were found by removing the liftgate trim panel and examining the wiring at the top of the liftgate where the wires exit the liftgate itself and enter the body. You can see where the wires go through a loom and are subject to flex in this area.

 

That there's your problem! NEVER buy LEDs from Autozone. Get them from a respectable source online. I'm a huge fan of SuperBrightLEDs.com myself.