I have a problem. I got in my '93 Jeep Cherokee the other day and the
wire going from my stereo to the fuse box was busted in half. Like
someone cut it ... maybe they did I dont know. But I twisted it back
together but now my stereo and dome light dont come on. I checked the
bulb in the dome light. I checked all the fuses in the box, they are
fine. ALSO when I turn on my headlights, one light in back of the car
(red lights) is brighter than the other. I step on the brake and the
other one is brighter than the other, but all bulbs are on and
working. WHATS GOING ON?

SC

 

Those are symptoms of a dead ground strap and/or connection.

If the ground strap from the top of the engine to the firewall goes bad,
the vehicle will try and scavenge a ground. The stereo is one place it
will try and take it. Put a heavy load on and small wires fry.

The ground from the battery to the engine block or from the battery to
the fender is also suspect. This can let the starter draw through the
stereo or anywhere else it can get a ground.

A lower amp power line can act as a ground for a high amp draw circuit.

A bulb in the rear also sounds shorted out. The brake lights ground
through the body, the running lights ground through a wiring harness.
Lose the body ground, and the brake lights will try and steal a ground
through the running lights, this can fuse bulbs internally or blow them
open.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Scot C wrote:
>
> I have a problem. I got in my '93 Jeep Cherokee the other day and the
> wire going from my stereo to the fuse box was busted in half. Like
> someone cut it ... maybe they did I dont know. But I twisted it back
> together but now my stereo and dome light dont come on. I checked the
> bulb in the dome light. I checked all the fuses in the box, they are
> fine. ALSO when I turn on my headlights, one light in back of the car
> (red lights) is brighter than the other. I step on the brake and the
> other one is brighter than the other, but all bulbs are on and
> working. WHATS GOING ON?
>
> SC

 

Those are symptoms of a dead ground strap and/or connection.

If the ground strap from the top of the engine to the firewall goes bad,
the vehicle will try and scavenge a ground. The stereo is one place it
will try and take it. Put a heavy load on and small wires fry.

The ground from the battery to the engine block or from the battery to
the fender is also suspect. This can let the starter draw through the
stereo or anywhere else it can get a ground.

A lower amp power line can act as a ground for a high amp draw circuit.

A bulb in the rear also sounds shorted out. The brake lights ground
through the body, the running lights ground through a wiring harness.
Lose the body ground, and the brake lights will try and steal a ground
through the running lights, this can fuse bulbs internally or blow them
open.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's

Scot C wrote:
>
> I have a problem. I got in my '93 Jeep Cherokee the other day and the
> wire going from my stereo to the fuse box was busted in half. Like
> someone cut it ... maybe they did I dont know. But I twisted it back
> together but now my stereo and dome light dont come on. I checked the
> bulb in the dome light. I checked all the fuses in the box, they are
> fine. ALSO when I turn on my headlights, one light in back of the car
> (red lights) is brighter than the other. I step on the brake and the
> other one is brighter than the other, but all bulbs are on and
> working. WHATS GOING ON?
>
> SC