Wierd Problem

[Zenobian_84]

Cleaned out the connector for the driver's rear top tailight in order to get it working. I scraped out some mustard looking junk that had manifested underneath the bulb. Went to put on my lights, and voila it works as should. I also replaced a burnt out reverse light bulb.

 

The problem is this though:

 

On the way home, whenever I put on my left blinker, my Quartz clock starts flashing like it's going to die (it flashes when the turn signal does, as if the clock were the turn signal). :dunno:

 

Checked the grounds, and the fuse, and both check out okay. Does anyone know what could cause this? It's worth mentioning that my lights work as they should, my radio doesn't fade out, nor does anything else seem amiss.

:dunno: :dunno:

[JeffN]

maybe have the bulb in backwards? older housings it is possible to do that causing a backfeed, also the mustard stuff is a di-electric grease to combat corrosion

[Harley]

Put the mustard back in or only make right turns from now on. :thumbsup:

[cruiser54]

First off, verify both front and rear turn signal bulbs are flashing with the same intensity. Dashlight indicators for the turn signals, too.

 

The instrument panel ground is overloaded to begin with. Might try this. Can't hurt and will offer some other benefits as well.

 

Improving the Instrument Panel Ground

 

The ground point for the complete instrument cluster on your XJ or MJ is located up under the driver’s side dash. If you lay on your back and look up under there with a flashlight, without wearing a hat, you will see a black wire attached to a shiny piece of metal almost directly above the hood release knob. The screw will have either a ¼” or 5/16” head on it.

 

This ground point is responsible for handling the ground circuit for the following items: Dome lamps, Seatbelt and key warning, trans comfort switch, wiper switch, headlamp switch and delay module, fog lamp switch, cargo lamp switch, all instrument panel grounds and illumination, power windows and door locks, cruise control dump valve, and a few more things.

 

The problem is that where the ground point is located does not have a good contact with the chassis where the ground should be. The solution is simple.

 

Make up a jumper wire with #10 gauge wire about 10” long. On one end, crimp on a ¼” round wire terminal. On the other end, crimp on a 3/8” round wire terminal.

 

Remove the screw from the existing ground wire and attach the small terminal of your jumper so that the original wire and your new jumper share the same attaching point, one over the other.

 

Look above the driver’s side plastic kick panel just forward of the top of the hood release knob. You will see an 8mm stud there. Attach the large terminal end there with a washer and nut over it tightened securely.

 

**Special note for Comanche owners: Make your jumper wire 12” long and attach it on the driver’s side kick panel close to the fusebox on the 8mm stud.**

 

 

Revised 11-29-2011

[Zenobian_84]

Adding another ground didn't help at all; I even took out the bulbs I replaced to see if they were the culprit.

 

The problem is still on going. Any other ideas? :dunno:

[Zenobian_84]

:dunno:

[TheJeepNut]

Sounds like ground to me too. Try eliminating things one at a time. I think I'd pull turn signal bulbs on that side one at a time. Or disconnect the tail light connector completely. Are your instrument panel lights turned all the way up? Does varying them vary the flashing of the clock. How juiced up is the battery?... just some random thoughts...

[Zenobian_84]

Turned out to be a light-bulb issue in my tailights. The ground refresh also worked wonders; now that I can actually see it in action. :cheers:

[ComancheKid45]

Probably using a single contact bulb over a duel contact. Ive done the same thing ;)

[STERLING STINGER]

Turned out to be a light-bulb issue in my tailights. The ground refresh also worked wonders; now that I can actually see it in action. :cheers:

:agree:

I had a crazy problem like that and it was that i had the wrong bulbs in the tail lights....