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4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/interior lights, security system

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Expert: - 1/8/2006


Question
after installing a stereo in my 1993 Grand cherokee Limited 4wd, the interior lights and the security system are not working properly. the interior lights will intermittantly go on and off while driving. i do not know how to fix it, or atleast how to troubleshoot it.
thanks for your help
Ronald

Answer
Ronald,

I don't know who installed the stereo, but it sounds like the wires were tapped into the wrong circuit, or a ground wire was pulled loose.  If you installed the system, you need to trace out your wiring, and make sure that you haven't pulled a wire loose somewhere.  Also, make sure that you have connected the wires to the appropriate circuits, and not one of the computer or sensor circuits.  If someone else installed the stereo, see if they will check it out.

A repair manual would be handy, as they have wiring diagrams, along with wiring color codes in them.   A Haynes, or Chiltons can be purchased at most auto parts store for, around $20.  These manuals are a great help when working on your own vehicle.

Carl

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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