Turn signals not working

Tiny
ROCKETTEER
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 217,000 MILES
There is an ongoing discussion about a similar issue. Once upon a time, I was messing with some fuses in the Jeep to test a battery drain. After that, the turn signals quit working - no flashing lights inside or out and no clicking noise. Of course, the first thing I did was confirm continuity on all the fuses. The hazard flashers work fine, so this rules out the turn signal bulbs.

Recall that the windshield wiper control is also on the turn signal lever. The delay feature of the wipers had also quit working, so this made me strongly suspect that the whole turn signal switch assembly was faulty. I replaced the switch assembly and was crestfallen to see no change in the turn signal situation. (Also, my wipers seem to run very, very slowly now and I'm worried that they may not be effective in a rain storm, but this is for another discussion.)

Finally, after reading your current discussion about the turn signals, I located and replaced what is supposed to be the combined hazard, turn-signal flasher relay with a new one (original part is a Tridon EP-27 flasher, located in a secondary relay panel to the right of the steering column below the dash). Unfortunately, this caused no effect on the turn signals and now I am utterly defeated.

Agreeing with what I've read in the discussion, the fuse panel in the 1995 Cherokee Sport is NOT the same as indicated in the owner's manual and the Haynes repair manual. I would love to see an accurate depiction of the TRUE fuse and relay panels in this vehicle and learn unequivocally whether the turn signal has its own dedicated relay or is indeed combined inside the flasher relay. And what about the other fuse box that is located under the hood? Any suspects in there?

Please advise what to do next to restore turn signal function!

Sincere thanks,
Chris Rockett
Saturday, December 11th, 2010 AT 10:20 PM

26 Replies

Tiny
BMRFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
  • 19,053 POSTS
1st make sure you have the fuses in the correct location

FUSE & CIRCUIT BREAKER IDENTIFICATION
1 - 20 Amp (Yellow)
Power Antenna Relay, Trailer Tow Relay.
2 - 15 Amp (Blue)
Brake Lamps.
3 - 20 Amp (Yellow)
Hazard Lamps.
4 - 15 Amp (Blue)
Security Lamp.
5 - 15 Amp (Blue)
Interior Lighting.
6 - 15 Amp (Blue)
Security Alarm Module.
7 - 15 Amp (Blue)
Security Alarm Relay, Security Alarm Module, Flash-To-Pass.
8 - 15 Amp (Blue)
Overhead Console, Keyless Entry, Radio Memory, Clock/Chime Module, Power Locks, Power Mirrors, HVAC & VIC.
9 - 20 Amp (Yellow)
Rear Wiper.
10 - 15 Amp (Blue)
Radio Accessory.
11 - 15 Amp (Blue)
Cigar Lighter.
12 - 15 Amp (Blue)
Parking Lamps, Automatic Headlamps.
13 - 20 Amp (Yellow)
Horn Relay.
14 - 20 Amp (Yellow)
Power Lock Relays.
15 - 3 Amp (Violet)
ABS Module & Relay.
16 - 20 Amp (Yellow)
Turn Signals.
17 - 7.5 Amp (Brown)
Heater & Air Conditioning Module.
18 - 15 Amp (Blue)
Air Bag Module.
19 - 15 Amp (Blue)
Interior Mirror, Auto Headlamps, Overhead Console, VIC/GDM Module, Heated Rear Window Relay Coil, Illuminated Entry Relay & Chime Module.
20 - 10 Amp (Red)
Heated Rear Window Switch, Overdrive Switch, Speed Control.
21 - 15 Amp (Blue)
Cluster, Security Alarm Module, Lamp Outage Module.
22 - 15 Amp (Blue)
Air Bag Module, Speedometer, Tachometer, Telltales, Gauges.
23 - 15 Amp (Blue)
Heated Mirror Feed, Heated Rear Window Switch.
24 - 7.5 Amp (Brown)
Instrument Panel Illumination.
25 - 30 Amp Circuit Breaker
Power Seats.
26 - 30 Amp Circuit Breaker
Power Windows.
27 - 10 Amp Circuit Breaker
Security Alarm Module, Front Wiper.
28 - 30 Amp Circuit Breaker
Heated Rear Window Relay.
POWER DISTRIBUTION

BTW is this a Cherokee or Grand Cherokee? 2 different beasts
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Sunday, December 12th, 2010 AT 2:32 PM
Tiny
ROCKETTEER
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  • 8 POSTS
This diagram you provided is nothing like either the inside fuse panel or the fuse panel under the hood of my Jeep. To which panel are you referring? Thanks. --Chris
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Tuesday, December 21st, 2010 AT 4:23 AM
Tiny
ROCKETTEER
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
UPDATE: My dad and I spent several hours yesterday investigating the turn signal. We first unbolted the relay panel from under the dash and removed its back cover. There are five wires entering/exiting the combo flasher relay (Tridon EP-27). We found that by jumping across the yellow/red wire (presumably hot) to the purple wire in the center, the turn signal would function! Then we located the path of these terminals within the relay (i.E. On the circuit board) and soldered a jump wire across the two terminal connections. We found that the hazards and turn signals functioned correctly like this, and thought we had solved the problem. HOWEVER, we realized that this "solution" came with its own new problem: when the ignition is turned on, the relay would click constantly (without actually engaging the lamps). This noise is unacceptably annoying, so we had to remove our jump wire and are thus back to square one. I continue to stand by my argument with my dad that the relay is NOT the problem, since I already tried replacing it with a brand new one to no effect. So, I'm convinced that there is a continuity or power delivery issue between the turn signal switch and the relay. That is, we know the relay can actuate the turn signal lamps as it is supposed to, but something is not sending it the necessary power feed in order to do its job.

Two wiring diagrams are attached.

Thanks for further advice!

-Chris
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Thursday, December 23rd, 2010 AT 2:52 PM
Tiny
BRANDON FRIGO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I'm in the exact same boat. But I also don't have break lights. Thinking bad ground
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Sunday, June 23rd, 2019 AT 4:59 AM
Tiny
DORN23
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • JEEP CHEROKEE
Hello,

I have a '99 Cherokee Sport 4.0L, 93,000 miles, and my turn signals have stopped working. They didn't stop completely at first, one day they would work, the next they wouldn't but now they have completely stopped. The hazards and brights still functioned though.
I took a guess that it was the turn signal switch (on the column), so I replaced it but I still have the same problem. No turn signals but brights and hazard lights work. I've tried replacing the fuse, even though the manual says the same fuse controls the hazards so I do not think that is the problem.

I'm stumped. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
George
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Tuesday, June 25th, 2019 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Did you try the FLASHER?
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Tuesday, June 25th, 2019 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
DORN23
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The flasher was my next step. Thanks for the reply
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Tuesday, June 25th, 2019 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
BRANDON FRIGO
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I'm having same issue.1995 Cherokee sport 4.0. No turn or hazard plus no break lights. They share the same circuit. Fuse good. Break switch has 1 of 2 powers. Ohm out switch and it's good. Lost power. I'm starting lean to bad ground. No way coming out of the factory wire loom there's a bad wire in the 18 inches it travels in the wrapped pasta of other protected wires. Thanks for the common sense answers. And yes key is on and fuse is in the correct location fridge is running. Does it matter if the jeep is on the ground to have ground. SMH lol.
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Tuesday, June 25th, 2019 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,861 POSTS
Hello,

It does sound like a bad ground or a multi function switch here is a guide and the brake light wiring diagrams so you can see how the system works.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find. We are interested to see what it is.
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Tuesday, June 25th, 2019 AT 1:08 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CSTLOUIS7
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 18,000 MILES
I own a 94 jeep cherokee, a couple months ago I had plugged a 3/8inch drill into a power inverter, didnt notice for a bit but my air conditioner/heater, radio, turn signals all stopped working, there are not fuses blown, any idea what could be wrong, please let me know if you need any more info. Thank you
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Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 AT 10:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Applicable fuses, did you use a voltage tester and check for voltage? Some of the fuses go hot with the key on, you may have to check feed to ignition switch? Maybe a fusible link, somewhere?
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Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 AT 10:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BIGTY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1991 JEEP CHEROKEE
1991 Jeep Cherokee

I need to find the fuse box on my 1991 jeep to see why my turn lights stop working
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Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 AT 10:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MHPAUTOS
  • MECHANIC
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Hi there,

Fuse box on L/H/S of lower dash as per pic.

Mark (mhpautos)


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/61395_jeep_1.jpg

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Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 AT 10:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKYBOBBY740
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
  • 1990 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 176,000 MILES
Well this is very confusing when I turn my left turn signal on the hazards flash but nothing with work unless I have my left turn signal on when I have it on the air cond. Blows with theclicker with the turn signal same goes with the windshield wipers but my turn signals dont work. When I turn my hazards on all the lights flash including the lights in the car I really need help fast dont know where to start
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Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 AT 10:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
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Hi, I'd have to check the turn signal switch and wiring circuit. When working around the steering column, you need to disarm air-bag, where applicable.
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Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 AT 10:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKYBOBBY740
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Well how would I know that it is the turning switch
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Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 AT 10:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
I wouldn't know without getting at it.
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Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 AT 10:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RICKYBOBBY740
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Ok thank u I find the problem I just have replace it
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Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 AT 10:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
94JEEP
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1994 JEEP CHEROKEE
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 177,000 MILES
I have a 1994 Jeep Cherokee. Every now and then, the electrical system would go out while I'm driving -- radio will go off, heater, turn signals, wipers, lights will not function, etc, but there is no interruption in driving. Everything else works fine. Typically, I would pull over, shut the engine off, wait a few minutes, crank it, and everything would be back to normal (this happened 3 times in the last 4 years). This week however, it's happened 3 times already and today, the stop and restart method isn't working. Any ideas before I take it in to the shop? Have I finally used up my lives?
Has anyone experienced this?
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Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 AT 10:06 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JDL
  • MECHANIC
  • 16,098 POSTS
Hello, some if not all of your problems seems to be ignition feed, circuits that go hot when you turn on the key. When the problem occurs, pick one system, whatever is the easiest, the radio for example. There are probably two hot circuits that go to the radio, one is ignition feed, goes hot when you turn the key on, check that one, pull the fuse, use a testlite, see if anything is hot? I can't tell if it is the switch or a wiring circuit to or from?
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Wednesday, June 26th, 2019 AT 10:06 AM (Merged)

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