Calgary Jeep Association

Author Topic: Grand Cherokee - High beam / day time running light issue  (Read 2423 times)

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Offline JENSSEN

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Grand Cherokee - High beam / day time running light issue
« on: March 07, 2014, 08:59:31 PM »

Ok we have a 1993 grand Cherokee, last weekend we were just running errands in the bitter cold (-35) and we came back to the truck and it smelled like burning,.. Stinky. The high beams were now stuck on , wont dim or go out even with the truck shut off.

When I clicked the MFS the high beam indicator will only brighten and dim but not go off.

I pulled the jeep around back to pull the dash and look for burnt stuff, it was still running and I then saw smoke from under the dash. I shut it down and pulled the positive off the battery to stop a fire. I inspected the harness and saw no damage. I later recoconnected the battery and the battery and the lights were functioning properly again.

As of yesterday we still have the odor and no daytime running lights,...

Any idea where to start?
www.racingforthecure.ca


Definition of Link to this definition of Blasphemy
1. [n] blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character;

Offline JackstandJohnny

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Re: Grand Cherokee - High beam / day time running light issue
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2014, 09:30:31 PM »
last time I had a random light issue with something like this it as the blinker arm on the left; theres stuff in there that controls lights, etc.  it might not be the issue; but if you wanna swap it Jenns I have a few you can try to start ruling things out........
~ rescue green JKUR on 35s.  typical rubicon build

Offline Dingleberry

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Re: Grand Cherokee - High beam / day time running light issue
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2014, 09:32:27 PM »
Its not often we see you, of all Jeepers, asking for troubleshooting advice!

Well I would probably take a look at the DRL module first. Its on the passenger side of the engine bay, up by the firewall.
For a picture of what the connector looks like, bottom of this page: http://www.go.jeep-xj.info/HowtoHeadlightLoom.htm

Offline JENSSEN

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Re: Grand Cherokee - High beam / day time running light issue
« Reply #3 on: March 07, 2014, 10:19:31 PM »
Dingleberry I take that as a compliment!!! My concern is why the visable smoke under the dash by the column? Why still the odor. My thoughts too made me think initially the head lamp switch, MFS (turn signal / high beam) and the daytime running light module. But with the battery reset all items function properly,.. Except the day time lights.

First stab will be the DRL module, is there any relays or modules tied to the DRL under the dash on the driver side?

Jackstandjohnny - if i narrow down to the MFS I will let you know and thank you for the offer!!
www.racingforthecure.ca


Definition of Link to this definition of Blasphemy
1. [n] blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character;

Offline JackstandJohnny

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Re: Grand Cherokee - High beam / day time running light issue
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2014, 12:04:52 AM »
all good jens.  If u narrow it down to that I have like three. all yours.
~ rescue green JKUR on 35s.  typical rubicon build

Offline birdo

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Re: Grand Cherokee - High beam / day time running light issue
« Reply #5 on: March 08, 2014, 10:29:37 AM »
My DRM fried a few weeks ago......no smoke under the dash but it sure smelled awful when I pulled it out. It left my headlights on and I pulled electrical connector to shut them off.
Without the connector attached you won't have a high beam indicator on the dash...however you will need to turn on your headlights in the daytime until you get a new DRM. I got my replacement out of a Cherokee in a bone yard if you're looking to save a few $$. Here's what you're looking for....http://www.jeep4x4center.com/mopar-day-time-running-light-module-56004262.html
« Last Edit: March 08, 2014, 10:32:37 AM by birdo »
John Bird
Okotoks Alberta
1999 Jeep TJ Sahara
Desert Sand
Hercules 31s on Ion Alloy Rims
Rough Country Suspension Lift Kit
Custom Truck Bed Liner Paint Job (heh, heh)
Some Cheapo Clarion Stereo
Heated Seats, Air-Con, Cruise
230,000 kms

Offline morerpmfred

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Re: Grand Cherokee - High beam / day time running light issue
« Reply #6 on: March 08, 2014, 11:50:20 AM »
Rewired all my headlights when the drl or drm fryed a few years ago.

With a test light on the wiring harness side of the drl/drm plugin you can find out witch plugin it is and just run a short jumper wire to get the high beam indicator to work again with out the drl/drm plugged in.

Offline JENSSEN

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Re: Grand Cherokee - High beam / day time running light issue
« Reply #7 on: March 08, 2014, 05:44:36 PM »
Hmmmmm think I found it,.. Thoughts





www.racingforthecure.ca


Definition of Link to this definition of Blasphemy
1. [n] blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character;

Offline Dingleberry

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Re: Grand Cherokee - High beam / day time running light issue
« Reply #8 on: March 08, 2014, 05:46:56 PM »
...... do you want to borrow my soldering iron??  ::)

Offline JENSSEN

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Re: Grand Cherokee - High beam / day time running light issue
« Reply #9 on: March 08, 2014, 07:54:27 PM »
I just hope this is the problem and not the result of a problem
www.racingforthecure.ca


Definition of Link to this definition of Blasphemy
1. [n] blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character;

Offline specialk

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Re: Grand Cherokee - High beam / day time running light issue
« Reply #10 on: March 08, 2014, 08:35:59 PM »
Wow.  Thats impressive
04 TJ Rubi

Offline w squared

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Re: Grand Cherokee - High beam / day time running light issue
« Reply #11 on: March 08, 2014, 09:51:49 PM »
That's the problem. You let the smoke out. Those only work as long as the smoke stays inside them.
I followed a rainbow out to a garage and found a leprichaun. The rainbow ended in a potted cactus on his porch, but there was no gold :(

Offline JENSSEN

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Re: Grand Cherokee - High beam / day time running light issue
« Reply #12 on: March 08, 2014, 11:32:15 PM »
That's the problem. You let the smoke out. Those only work as long as the smoke stays inside them.

But I had the fan on recirculate,...
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Definition of Link to this definition of Blasphemy
1. [n] blasphemous behavior; the act of depriving something of its sacred character;

Offline TL-Iguana

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Re: Grand Cherokee - High beam / day time running light issue
« Reply #13 on: March 09, 2014, 06:51:00 AM »
That's the problem. You let the smoke out. Those only work as long as the smoke stays inside them.

We used to tell people this at Memory Express when I was still managing there... It is ABSOLUTELY critical that you keep the blue smoke inside. Once out your pretty much hooped..

Good to see you found the problem and still have the Jeep... Had a block heater fail on my dads station wagon and it didnt fair so well against the fire that just about burned the house down.. Looking at that, it seems a voltage regulator didn't hold up on that printed circuit board. It will still smell to high heck and the interior will likely still smell that way for a few days to come. The failure is probably only due to that module alone and not something up the chain. When electronics fail its pretty much the same as lightbulbs. They just do. Theres not always any warning, and often its abrupt. The voltage regulator that blew is likely just a failed component that the dinky aluminum heatsink coudlnt dissipate enough heat from. So many factors, but probably just related to that one component.
I did a Google search for "hot trannies" but nothing came up about oil coolers  :o

Worrying too much about mpg with a Jeep is similar to worrying about your sister's virginity. An ok thing to be concerned about but...

'01 XJ on 35s, '11 Jk DD