1996 Cherokee Classic - Turn signal/brake lights not working!

[tasteItheIvalue]

I've been searching through the forums and found many people with similar problems and came across some good answers; however, none seem to fix my problem...


Vehicle Info:

1996 Jeep Cherokee Classic
4.0L Straight 6
- Jeep was purchased from a member of this forum actually. Here is a link to his FS add in the pawn shop section...
http://forum.northeastjeep.org/index.php?topic=24844.0


What Happened:

I was driving, came up to a turn and signaled.  As soon as I put my blinker on, a buzzing sound started from under the dash and the blinkers would work intermittently.  When they worked, the buzzing stopped; when they weren't working, the buzzing started.

Within a week of this happening, my turn signals ceased working all together.  When I turn the lever to either side, nothing happens.  The arrows on the dash do not light up, the bulbs themselves do not flash and the buzzing sound has vanished.  I also noticed that my hazards(flashers) no longer work as well.  So for the past couple weeks i've been using the good old hand signals to announce my turns, which hasn't been fun being from Connecticut and all with the weather the way it has been...

The other day I was backed up close to my garage door when I got in the jeep and put my foot on the brake, I noticed that the tail lights did not light up.  I was unaware of this, but for the whole time i've been using hand signals to turn, i have also had no brake lights - not a good thing...  The weird thing is that when I turn my headlights on the tail lights light up.  Also, my high beams work fine. I mention this because the high beam selector is located on the same switch/lever as my turn signals and flashers.

So to sum it up, my problem is as follows:
No turn signals
No brake lights
No hazard lights

What I've Done:

I have replaced all the bulbs around the vehicle, even the ones I know were working. I have checked the appropriate fuses, and for the hell of it I checked all the rest of them in both the fuse box (drivers side, to the left of the brake) and the power distribution center (under the hood.)  I have replaced the turn signal/flasher relay and replaced the turn signal/flasher/wiper/high beam switch (the lever on the left of the steering wheel.)  Nothing has worked. If I take the wiring harness off the brake switch and jump power to the wire going to the brake lights I can get them to light up, I'm not sure if this helps anything but I figured it was worth the mention...

Anyone have any ideas?  At this point anything is appreciated as I can't drive my jeep until i can get at least the brakes working...

 

[clean4drxj]

how are all the connections? also  XJ's are good vehicles with and motor and trans that is almost always last as long if not longer than the body of the vehicle... that said mopar can't wire a vehicle to save their lives. in the process of changing bubles did you put an dielectical grease in the light bullb sockets? check wire connections? maybe change out the brake switch?

 

[PaulW]

Would you have time to bring it to me?  I have some in depth 12 volt experience.

 

[DonnyG]

Try disconnecting, one at a time, the turn signals.  Start at the front left and work your way around the Jeep.  It's a slow, but effective way to isolate any problem.  If at any point, the turn signal indicator illuminates, that is where your problem is.  Also, i've had a problem in the past with the connection in the rear taillight.  You need to remove the lens assembly, and pull the wiring through the grommet in the rear quarter.  The connector was melted.  I also had the same buzzing issue.  I believe Holly (Mrs. JeepinMaxx) had the same issue with her KJ.  I believe it was a similar issue.  Good luck.