Rocker Switch Question

[robfg67]

Are the factory rocker switches interchangeable?

 

Will a factory XJ Cherokee Defrost switch work as a Cargo Box Lamp switch in the MJ?

[eaglescout526]

No. If you want a cargo lamp switch, you’ll need to use a fog lamp switch or a power comfort switch as both have three prongs like for the connector for the cargo switch. The defrost switch is a different connector set up as is the rear wash and wipe switch. 

[Pete M]

the factory switches came in several varieties, like on-off, on-off-on, momentary.  I think the defroster is momentary? 

[robfg67]

That makes sense, thanks to both!

 

Now I just need ghetdjc320 to start cranking out the bezels out again.

[pizzaman09]

Adjacent to this topic, if your truck is pre wired for the cargo box light, should there be a connector near the switch panel for it to plug into a switch?  I just hooked under rail lights up to my unused fog light switch and would like it if it could be turned on with the headlights off.

[eaglescout526]

21 minutes ago, pizzaman09 said:

Adjacent to this topic, if your truck is pre wired for the cargo box light, should there be a connector near the switch panel for it to plug into a switch?  I just hooked under rail lights up to my unused fog light switch and would like it if it could be turned on with the headlights off.

There should be a connector there on your 90. It has two pink wires connected to it. Course we do speculate that 89 was the last year for the cargo lamp wiring being installed at the factory but we know 91-92 doesn’t have such wiring. The cargo lamp works off the dome lamp circuit. 

[pizzaman09]

23 minutes ago, eaglescout526 said:

There should be a connector there on your 90. It has two pink wires connected to it. Course we do speculate that 89 was the last year for the cargo lamp wiring being installed at the factory but we know 91-92 doesn’t have such wiring. The cargo lamp works off the dome lamp circuit. 

There is a connector in the b pillar if I remember correctly.  Also my truck was technically manufactured in 11/89.

[eaglescout526]

1 hour ago, pizzaman09 said:

There is a connector in the b pillar if I remember correctly.  Also my truck was technically manufactured in 11/89.

 

 

If the connecter behind the B-pillar is there, then you should have the switch connector behind the dash bezel. 

[schardein]

4 hours ago, pizzaman09 said:

Adjacent to this topic, if your truck is pre wired for the cargo box light, should there be a connector near the switch panel for it to plug into a switch?  I just hooked under rail lights up to my unused fog light switch and would like it if it could be turned on with the headlights off.

There is a rather simple way to do this.  It helps if you are handy with vehicle wiring on these old rigs.

1.  Take apart the dash to get to the fog light switch.

2. "de-pin" the center wire from the fog light switch connector.

3.  Make a new wire with a factory terminal on one end to go into the fog light switch connector.  On the other end, put on a terminal and connector that mates to the appropriate port in the fuse box.  

4.  Choose the power port you want and plug it in.  You could have it hot all the time (battery) or hot with key on (ignition).

 

I did this to my factory fog light switch so I could run my driving lights whenever I want, separate from the headlights.  And it's a simple modification to undo, de-pin one wire and re-pin the old one.

Be sure to tape over the de-pinned wire.  You can also use a plain old 1/4" male spade terminal to plug into the fuse box, but the factory type connector is keyed to specific power ports and locks the wire in place.

 

I thought I made a post about this in the do it yourself section, but I can't find it.

[pizzaman09]

Cool stuff!  Thanks for the info, I'll probably dig into this.  

[Drahcir495]

On 11/5/2023 at 5:58 PM, schardein said:

There is a rather simple way to do this.  It helps if you are handy with vehicle wiring on these old rigs.

1.  Take apart the dash to get to the fog light switch.

2. "de-pin" the center wire from the fog light switch connector.

3.  Make a new wire with a factory terminal on one end to go into the fog light switch connector.  On the other end, put on a terminal and connector that mates to the appropriate port in the fuse box.  

4.  Choose the power port you want and plug it in.  You could have it hot all the time (battery) or hot with key on (ignition).

 

I did this to my factory fog light switch so I could run my driving lights whenever I want, separate from the headlights.  And it's a simple modification to undo, de-pin one wire and re-pin the old one.

Be sure to tape over the de-pinned wire.  You can also use a plain old 1/4" male spade terminal to plug into the fuse box, but the factory type connector is keyed to specific power ports and locks the wire in place.

 

I thought I made a post about this in the do it yourself section, but I can't find it.

Not to hijack your thread, but this was well done