My 98 TJ started having a rapid left turn signal a few days ago. At first my left brake light and blinker wouldn’t work. My left tail light/blinker bulb was on with running lights active, but it was super dim. Right side was just fine. I checked all the fuses in the passenger compartment and engine and nothing was blown. I removed the left tail light assembly and checked for any cut wires/corrosion because I live in the rainy side of Washington. Wires and connections looked fine so I reattached it. Then I tried disconnecting the pigtail for the trailer lights but couldn’t unplug it because my aftermarket bumper was in the way. So I checked the fuses again and tried testing the tail light again. Now the running lights work just fine (running lights are the same bulb for the blinkers and brakes). But I still don’t have a left blinker or brake light even though the bulb lights up just fine for running lights. There’s no whine coming from the turn signal switch either and the wires connected to the brake switch look just fine. I don’t have any aftermarket LED lights other than my headlights. When my hazards are on every bulb lights up just fine except for the left taillight/blinker bulb. I plan to borrow a multimeter and see if a signal is coming from the brake switch/turn signal switch but was wondering if anyone has run into this before.
98 TJ Left Tail Light/Blinker Doesn't Work But Running Lights Do.
- Thread starter Puyallup_Jeep
- Start date
You making good progress finding your problem areas...
Until you get the multimeter to determine which bulbs are getting voltage during certain operating modes; I would make an effort to get the trail harness disconnected unplugged. Then go thru each light bulb receptacle and inspect for oxidation, trace the wiring back thru harness connectors, inspect and clean if necessary.
Until you get the multimeter to determine which bulbs are getting voltage during certain operating modes; I would make an effort to get the trail harness disconnected unplugged. Then go thru each light bulb receptacle and inspect for oxidation, trace the wiring back thru harness connectors, inspect and clean if necessary.
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While trying to unplug my trailer lights pig tail harness I hooked up some trailer lights to it that I use when towing my Jeep. It duplicates the same issue I’m having with my tail lights. On the trailer lights the running lights work just fine, but the left turn and brake lights do not turn on or flash.
Disconnect the remainder of the trailer harness where it connects into the vehicle harness; see if the problem continues.
That’s the unfortunate part. I didn’t install the reinforced bumper or the trailer harness. It looks like the MOPAR harness is spliced into the passenger side tail light. It’s forked just after the spliced connection and after unplugging the two connectors separately behind the passenger tail light after the fork, I lost my right blinker both times with no left blinker cure.
When you say SPLICED... does that mean a Scotch-Loc was used where it cuts into the existing wiring ?
Sounds like the wiring was cut during the splicing... creating a break in the circuit.
Check the wiring at the splice for breaks and oxidized wiring; you may need to cut a little wiring and either rejoin or connect a jumper section to complete the circuit.
IF you could take a couple pictures; that may help further diagnose the problem.
Sounds like the wiring was cut during the splicing... creating a break in the circuit.
Check the wiring at the splice for breaks and oxidized wiring; you may need to cut a little wiring and either rejoin or connect a jumper section to complete the circuit.
IF you could take a couple pictures; that may help further diagnose the problem.
First picture is the trailer pigtail
Second picture is following the pigtail from the first
Third picture is from the rear right wheel well
Fourth is where both connections I previously unattached lead behind the right tail light that’s functioning properly.
The wire coming from the splice fork looks like a ground and is firmly attached up by the gas tank
Second picture is following the pigtail from the first
Third picture is from the rear right wheel well
Fourth is where both connections I previously unattached lead behind the right tail light that’s functioning properly.
The wire coming from the splice fork looks like a ground and is firmly attached up by the gas tank
I reread your previous responses and IF you can... trace the wiring harness for the passenger side to see if there is an oxidized harness connector.
There is a PDF of the Factory Service Manual for your 98 TJ that can be downloaded to further assist you in troubleshooting. Search thru section 8W-50 & 52 for wiring schematics.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...ice-manuals-fsm-technical-documentation.4618/
There is a PDF of the Factory Service Manual for your 98 TJ that can be downloaded to further assist you in troubleshooting. Search thru section 8W-50 & 52 for wiring schematics.
https://wranglertjforum.com/threads...ice-manuals-fsm-technical-documentation.4618/
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