Levi Nagy

Hey everyone! I recently bought a specula edition ZJ, Grand Wagoneer. I am have fixing things on it here and there but this one thing bugs me the most and can’t figure out how to fix it.

Originally my problem was that my break lights would not illuminate when I pressed on my break. Taillights would work but not break lights. So I thoughts that’s an easy fix, so I changed the brake light switch and my brake lights started working, but then the message on the Virtual Interface Center said rear lamp failure, even though all of my lights work in the back including the high middle lights and my license plate lights.

So where do I go from there?
I kept the old brake light switch and I might put it back just so see if the error message pops up to see if the new part I got is not 100% compatible.

wingless

Welcome to the forum.

It is common for the VIC to malfunction in the manner described, showing an incorrect alert.

This reply shows the VIC removed and disassembled, permitting touch up of the solder joints.

jon-d

Also, in the back pannel on driver's side there is a connector that reports back to the VIC, if you don't need it just remove and bypass it. Sometimes it causes issues.

94zj318

The sensors on the VIC aren't very reliable. My old '94 ZJ said Coolant Sensor Bad and Service 4WD Switch when both were operating correctly (I tested the 4X4 system in deep snow, and it STILL displayed that message). It also occasionally said Rear Lamp Failure and Driver's Door Ajar (on that warning it would turn on the interior lights as if you opened a door. If you can bypass the bad sensors, like others have said, that may fix things. You could also just take the VIC out if you don't need it, although if you have the factory radio still installed, you'll have to set the time every time you get in, as the clock ONLY keeps the time if it's the factory radio clock, and the VIC has to be connected for it to do so as well. I HATE the early VIC, and they improved it with the WJ in 1999.

-Vince

wingless

The clock in my 1st gen ZJ is set in the VIC and doesn't depend upon my aftermarket stereo.

94zj318

What I meant is, from what I've heard, the VIC works with the factory radio for time. If you install an aftermarket radio, I don't believe the aftermarket radio will keep time.

wingless

When I was using the OEM radio, both the VIC and the radio clock were independently set, keeping slightly different times.

The FSM says VIC connector Pin 9 is Not Connected on one page and is Clock Check on another page.

The wiring diagram shows nothing connected to Pin 9.

My aftermarket radio permits manually setting the clock