Gauge cluster/Dome lights issue

[bigalpha]

I looked at Advance for new sockets and they are $9 each.

I dont want to go the junkyard route, as those sockets may have problems too.

I did find, though, that when I pulled the bulb from the blinker, the light went away on the cluster.

 

[bigalpha]

Update.

I replaced the passenger socket. Now, the grounds on both of the wires to each front socket are showing 10ohm of resistance. They will blink, but only very, very dimly.

Also, the left turn indicator in the cluster has lit up.

I guess now it's an issue of a master ground being FUBAR. Where do the front blinkers ground at?

 

[bigalpha]

New update.

Checked the C102 connector (front lights to engine bay; directly behind the driver headlamp) and got .3 ohm.

Checked it against batt pos and received battery voltage.

Both front parking lights (under the headlamp) light up. No extra lights on gauge cluster. The front turn lights barely blink. The filament for the turn signal will light up a little bit. It's not noticeable, though.

Also, with the hazards going, the rear two signals will blink, but the front two will not. In addition, the headlamps dim slightly with each blink.

Sounds like another bad ground somewhere.

 

[bigalpha]

Some change, today. I didn't mess with anything, though.

With no lights on, the hazards will make all 4 flashers blink. If I step on the brake, it makes all blinkers stop blinking and stay lit up. The lights on the cluster also stay lit.

With the lights activated, the left blinker indicator stays lit on the cluster but it's only 70% of normal brightness; this is without using the blinkers.

With the lights activated, the passenger running light (horizontal light below the headlamp) stays lit and teh driver is not lit.

 

[ehall]

With no lights on, the hazards will make all 4 flashers blink. If I step on the brake, it makes all blinkers stop blinking and stay lit up. The lights on the cluster also stay lit.

blinkers and brakes are supposed to be completely separate circuits

With the lights activated, the left blinker indicator stays lit on the cluster but it's only 70% of normal brightness; this is without using the blinkers.

With the lights activated, the passenger running light (horizontal light below the headlamp) stays lit and teh driver is not lit.

what a mess. start disconnecting harnesses and see if you can isolate anything. the front harness should have a connector under the airbox (the whole harness is on a plug so you can pull header panel with lights attached). I don't know where the taillight harness are on the mj, probably under the side rails somewhere

 

[bigalpha]

blinkers and brakes are supposed to be completely separate circuits

Wow, exciting. Sounds like something is really messed up, then. SOunds like the application of the brakes closes a ground for teh hazards, making the lights stay lit up.

what a mess. start disconnecting harnesses and see if you can isolate anything. the front harness should have a connector under the airbox (the whole harness is on a plug so you can pull header panel with lights attached). I don't know where the taillight harness are on the mj, probably under the side rails somewhere

Yeah, I'll disco the plug and run some tests on the wiring from that connector to the lights themselves and see if I can narrow down what part of the wiring is funk.

 

[ehall]

they are constant ground with switched power so voltage is bleeding

have you checked or replaced the switch yet?

 

[bigalpha]

I have not checked or replaced the switch yet. I was working backward from the problem; the blinkers.

 

[ehall]

switch is very common point of failure, might be worth grabbing one at the jy

 

[bigalpha]

Roger that. I'll pull one next time I'm out there.

On a related note, I found an electrical manual for the MJ with instructions how to test that switch. I'll try that as well.

 

[bigalpha]

Both front bulb sockets have been replaced, headlight switch has been replaced, and I reset the fuses.

Glad to say that the blinkers and running lights are working as normal, the hazards and brakes do not interfere anymore, and the interior lights are working normally as well.

Looks like my current electrical problems are solved. Thanks for the help!!! If it goes wonky again, I'll repost here.