Mechanics - Jeep Grand Cherokee Help

[Shell666 0]

I have a 1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee and just today, my daytime running lights won't go off when I shut off the engine. So, of course, it drains the battery (thankfully my brother was using it when the problem occured - he's getting a boost as we speak).

Anyone know what might be the problem??

'Shell

[cloudseeker2001 0]

If you have the auto-headlight accessory when it gets dark, it is probably a bad sensor or something in that circut. If you do not, broken switch....stuck in the on position.

"Some call it heavenly in it's brilliance,
others mean and rueful of the western dream"

[DeNReN 0]

most likely the DRL module...fairly common on dodges......think they go for a lil over $100

[Shell666 0]

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most likely the DRL module...fairly common on dodges......think they go for a lil over $100

Thanks for the replies. My brother figures it might be a switch as well. For now, we just disconnected the headlights so they don't drain the battery. I'll check in with my mechanic tomorrow to see what's up (thank GOD I have a good friend who's a mechanic!).

'Shell

[DeNReN 0]

and??

[Shell666 0]

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and??

Well, my mechanic friend works at a Chevy dealership ... so he checked into things and talked to his "electronics" guy who recommended he call a Chrysler Dealership to see what it might be.

Could be the switch. Could be the DRL. He's making more calls tomorrow.

He looked at it today. The highbeam light on my dash stays on all the time (despite the fact my head lights are disconnected).

The high beam switch seems a little "hard" when he flicks it on and off so he thinks it might be the switch. BUT he asked me if it "felt" that way before. It's been SO long since I needed to use high beams I can't even remember what it should "feel like".



So the AND part is ... I'm waiting to see what he can dig up. Worse case -- I have to take it to a Chrysler Dealership and pay regular rates. Best case -- my dear sweet friend and mechanic, Wade, can get the info and fix it for me.

So the "and" will continue for a few days. Me ... I'm stuck driving during daylight hours. It's not that I worry about ME seeing them .. it's THEM seeing me!

'Shell

[DeNReN 0]

well.....I will grab the wiring diagram for ya tomorrow....thats if your still looking for info..

I have a feeling about this one.....gona be the DRL module

Does moving the tilt colume have any effect on any lights?

[Shell666 0]

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well.....I will grab the wiring diagram for ya tomorrow....thats if your still looking for info..

I have a feeling about this one.....gona be the DRL module

Does moving the tilt colume have any effect on any lights?

If you could grab the diagram, that would be AWESOME!

I'll pass along your comments to Wade.

And nope, he tried moving the column up and down. Nothing.

But flicking the high beams on and off (with the lights off and only the DTR lights on) actually caused the DTR lights to flicker, almost like the lights were coming on.

Thanks for your help. ANYTHING you can recommend would be great! I trust Wade to take care of my car but he doesn't know it that well. He relies on other people to help with my make and model.

'Shell

[kschilk 0]

You're overlooking the obvious. I've been workin' on those things since before most people were old enough to swear at 'em, from the '40's on up and I've found them ALL to have one problem in common....the valve stem caps. I know it sounds silly but believe me, they're installed incorrectly at the factory and they are the root source of all Jeep problems, glitches and gremlins. Don't be discouraged, there's an easy fix and it can be done right in the convenience of your own driveway! Just follow these simple instructions....

1. Park the Jeep in the middle of your driveway and put a marker, next to the left front wheel, leaving the keys in the ignition/engine off.
2. Remove ALL valve stem caps from ALL wheels (including the spare) and set each cap, next to its respective wheel but about 10 - 12 inches, off to the side. The cap for the spare can be set beside the one for the driver's side front. Caution: DO NOT leave it behind or under the vehicle!
3. Get in the vehicle and start the engine.
4. Shift the transmission into reverse and back the vehicle away from the marker, about 60 to 100 feet.
5. Put the vehicle into Park, turn off the ignition and exit the vehicle.
6. Drive something more reliable and less labor intensive into the driveway, until the left front wheel is in line with the marker.
7. Reinstall valve stem caps.

[Shell666 0]

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You're overlooking the obvious. I've been workin' on those things since before most people were old enough to swear at 'em, from the '40's on up and I've found them ALL to have one problem in common....the valve stem caps. I know it sounds silly but believe me, they're installed incorrectly at the factory and they are the root source of all Jeep problems, glitches and gremlins. Don't be discouraged, there's an easy fix and it can be done right in the convenience of your own driveway! Just follow these simple instructions....

1. Park the Jeep in the middle of your driveway and put a marker, next to the left front wheel, leaving the keys in the ignition/engine off.
2. Remove ALL valve stem caps from ALL wheels (including the spare) and set each cap, next to its respective wheel but about 10 - 12 inches, off to the side. The cap for the spare can be set beside the one for the driver's side front. Caution: DO NOT leave it behind or under the vehicle!
3. Get in the vehicle and start the engine.
4. Shift the transmission into reverse and back the vehicle away from the marker, about 60 to 100 feet.
5. Put the vehicle into Park, turn off the ignition and exit the vehicle.
6. Drive something more reliable and less labor intensive into the driveway, until the left front wheel is in line with the marker.
7. Reinstall valve stem caps.

Well, that sounds like a great plan but I might have a problem with #4 ....

My neighbours fence, across the alley from my driveway, is only about 10 feet behind. Should I continue the other 50 to 90 feet?

If I do, I'll end up going through his yard, his front fence, across is front yard and into the street in front of his house.

Would that be a problem??

Do you think the neighbours would mind??

You seem to know. Give me some info.

'Shell

[Snowwhite 0]

ooooo! Come and do it at MY house. I would pay to see you drive thru my neighbors fence, yard and house. I'd even mortgage my house to see you do that. And no, it wouldn't be a problem. At least not with me...

skydiveTaylorville.org
freefallbeth@yahoo.com

[Shell666 0]

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ooooo! Come and do it at MY house. I would pay to see you drive thru my neighbors fence, yard and house. I'd even mortgage my house to see you do that. And no, it wouldn't be a problem. At least not with me...

If you can fix my daytime running light issue --- I'm there!!!

I just want my lights back.

'Shell

[kschilk 0]

It could be worse. I know of a Cherokee that's had every mech in the area ('cept me, I won't go near it) pulling his hair out. It runs great but ocassionally, when turning left, it shuts down. It always starts right back up and may not do it again for weeks, doesn't leave any codes either. We gotta' enjoy it while we can, it's gonna' get worse. Pretty soon, all the cars will be made by BIC.

BTW...if it gets into too much, moneywise...it should be easy enough to trace the wire and install an illuminated interrupter switch, to operate them manually. Last resort. Offhand, I'd lean toward the module, like Den mentioned. Chrysler/Jeep went through a phase ('95-'97) of bad switches and harnesses but that was mostly cleared-up by '98.

[Broke 0]

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It could be worse. I know of a Cherokee that's had every mech in the area ('cept me, I won't go near it) pulling his hair out. It runs great but ocassionally, when turning left, it shuts down. It always starts right back up and may not do it again for weeks, doesn't leave any codes either. We gotta' enjoy it while we can, it's gonna' get worse. Pretty soon, all the cars will be made by BIC.

Duh obviously it is not modified enough

Divot your source for all things Hillbilly.
Anvil Brother 84
SCR 14192

[Shell666 0]

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It could be worse. I know of a Cherokee that's had every mech in the area ('cept me, I won't go near it) pulling his hair out. It runs great but ocassionally, when turning left, it shuts down. It always starts right back up and may not do it again for weeks, doesn't leave any codes either. We gotta' enjoy it while we can, it's gonna' get worse. Pretty soon, all the cars will be made by BIC.

Yes, I guess it could be.

But if that was the problem with mine, I wouldn't turn left.

Still headlampless ...

'Shell

[DeNReN 0]

I just sent a bitmap of the wiring diagram and a DRL module location bitmap to your shaw.ca email....files were way too big to post here.

Any tech with a test light and that wiring diagram should be able to diagnose the problem fairly fast....and of course have the vehicle in front of them

One quick check is to power everything back up and let the lights stay on for a few min's....check the DRL module to see if its smoking hot....all the defective DRL's on chrsyler products that I've come across have been quite hot.

the DRL module is black approx 3x3x1.5 in ....open on the backside and half filled with a clearish dielectric gel...if there is any black...its toast

[Shell666 0]

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I just sent a bitmap of the wiring diagram and a DRL module location bitmap to your shaw.ca email....files were way too big to post here.

Any tech with a test light and that wiring diagram should be able to diagnose the problem fairly fast....and of course have the vehicle in front of them

One quick check is to power everything back up and let the lights stay on for a few min's....check the DRL module to see if its smoking hot....all the defective DRL's on chrsyler products that I've come across have been quite hot.

the DRL module is black approx 3x3x1.5 in ....open on the backside and half filled with a clearish dielectric gel...if there is any black...its toast

GOT EM!

You are the BEST! Thankyouthankyouthankyouthankyou!

Goes to show you, Skymama's thread about DZ dot com being the place to go for answers was BANG on the money!

'Shell

[DeNReN 0]

and?????

[Shell666 0]

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and?????

For the time being, he's disconnected the DRL module and I now have LIGHTS!!! YAY!!

He's ordering a new DRL but the dipshit at Chrysler is giving him the runaround about it. He'll work it out in time.

Since he's doing the work on his own time (so I don't have to pay for labour -- gotta LOVE having a friend that's a mechanic), I'm okay with waiting until he has time.

I have headlamps and that's all that matters. The days are getting much shorter here so that's good.

lights ... THAT would bring out the 12 year old in everyone!>

Thank you AGAIN for all your help and for the diagrams. They helped a lot!

I owe you a beer! And I'm good for it!

'Shell

[kschilk 0]

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Duh obviously it is not modified enough

C'mon now, modified?! That's just a nice way of sayin' "hack-job". They're just fine, the way they come from the factory. To hell with gun control, wrenches oughta' have to be registered.

[Shell666 0]

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Duh obviously it is not modified enough

C'mon now, modified?! That's just a nice way of sayin' "hack-job". They're just fine, the way they come from the factory. To hell with gun control, wrenches oughta' have to be registered.

Thank you for that. I think mine's fine the way it is. Fully loaded down to the heated seats. Keeps my bum warm on those -30oC days ...

And it's a purdy red colo(u)r too!

Looks just fine. And "sees" just fine now as well!

'Shell

[monkycndo 0]

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lights ... THAT would bring out the 12 year old in everyone!>

*In walks the inner 12 year old and thinks back to LP.*


[Homer voice when he was 12 years old] Hmmmmmm, Shell headlights[/Homer voice]

50 donations so far. Give it a try.

You know you want to spank it
Jump an Infinity

[Shell666 0]

Quote

Quote

lights ... THAT would bring out the 12 year old in everyone!>

*In walks the inner 12 year old and thinks back to LP.*


[Homer voice when he was 12 years old] Hmmmmmm, Shell headlights[/Homer voice]

Back away from the Jeep thread, Sean ... just back away ... it's really a thread about ACTUAL headlights... the bright things on cars and trucks and jeeps and bikes and any powered vehicle ...

'Shell

[monkycndo 0]

Are you trying to tell me that the things that lead the way where ever you go are not headlights? I'm sorry, but I've been positioned right in front and center, right at the picnik table during the Crack Choir, and those headlights have never failed to perform as God (or insert your diety or non diety of choice) intended.

50 donations so far. Give it a try.

You know you want to spank it
Jump an Infinity

[Shell666 0]

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Are you trying to tell me that the things that lead the way where ever you go are not headlights? I'm sorry, but I've been positioned right in front and center, right at the picnik table during the Crack Choir, and those headlights have never failed to perform as God (or insert your diety or non diety of choice) intended.

oh ... guess you're right then ... they just don't require a bulb ....


Be proud you made me blush.

'Shell