I have a 1996 jeep cherokee. The heater started making a funny noise so we bought a new blower motor. Then we bought a new resistor. We still could not get the speeds to work in the heater. So we then bought a switch. Well we come to find out that the switch harness was burnt to a crisp. I called the parts store and they don't carry them, so I then called a dealer. The dealer told me they don't just sell that harness I had to buy the entire one for everything in the jeep. Then told me to go cut one out of a junk yard. I called my local junk yard and the guy went and cut three harnesses out. One that was a 1996, one that was a 1995, and both of the ends were burnt just like mine. He then cut one out of an even older one, and the wires were thicker than the ones on mine, and different colors. I tried hooking it up and it doesn't work. I believe that should be a recall and it should have to be replaced by the company. The company should also sell individual harnesses.
1996 Jeep Cherokee electrical complaints
Page 2 of 3: complaints 11 to 40 of 43, newest first, as owners wrote them.
While operating the vehicle I kept smelling burning plastic. The heater fan quit and when I jiggled the switch it started to operate at high fan only and would not let me set it to low. Then it quit working and I removed the switch to replace it. I found that the wiring harness was melted. I am now concerned about the danger of replacing the switch. I am not sure if I can replace the melted part of the wiring harness. I also noticed that the switch has 5 connections but only 4 wires were connected to it.
My mother-n-law purchased a 1996 cherokee, and the check engine light was on . So she took it to the emission place to get it checked and it failed the test, so she took the emission papers and the vehicle to the auto shop , and the mechanic stated that the car should have never been sold to her , so what should she do at this point.
While driving, I kept smelling melting plastic. It lasted a couple months before it went out. I looked to see several times to find it and never did. It wound up being the heater control switch and wiring harness melting. I decided to go to the junkyard to get the harness and switch and I found out from looking at 8 different jeep cherokees ranging from 1986 -1997 they all had the harness and switch melted in them. I then realized it was more than just my jeep that had this issue.
Tl*- the contact stated that while driving behind the 1996 jeep cherokee at 60 MPH, she noticed smoke coming from under the vehicle. The contact flashed the lights to get the attention of the driver. The driver pulled to the shoulder, got out of the vehicle and backed away. The vehicle began to burn, and had to be towed. The contact did not know the cause of the fire. The fire department was called and they extinguished the fire. The contact had not received a police or fire department report. There were no injuries.
Electrical short in the passenger compartment resulted in fire that completely destroyed vehicle. Fire started behind the dashboard, passenger side. Electrical shortage, and burning smell was noted, which resulted in the driver pulling off the side of the road. After quick inspection under the hood, driver walked around the vehicle, at which point the interior dashboard burst into flames.
1996 jeep cheroke while driving with blower on (air) , steering column started smoking and melting the plastic housing. Cause was determined to be ignition switch was not heavy duty enough to handle blower motor current and the wires in the harness burned and melted. Wires and switch was replaced and 1 year later same thing happened again causing the interior to fill with smoke while driving and the wiring harness to burn up again. A mechanic at a dealer told me this was a not uncommon problem with that jeep model. I was told that the chrysler van used the same switch and harness and there was a safety recall for them but nothing was ever done about the jeep cherokee !!
The vehicle ignited after being parked for approximately 2 hours. Fire investigation pinpointed start in the main housing of the electrical, in the firewall.
1. Electrical short under left side dash, main wire bundle going to fuse box rubbed against bolt and wore through wire causing a short. 2. Neutral safety switch gone bad. 3. Driver's side seat rail broke somewhere and seat rocks around. 4. Rear leaf springs have a negative arch in them causing rear to sag and wheels to rub with minimum weight in vehicle. Dt
The switch and harness melted from heat of the switch and burned the peice apart.
A fire started in engine compartment while driving 15 MPH. Dealer and manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further information.
While starting vehicle engine would not turn. Service technician stated fuel pump needed to be replaced. Also, battery was drained. Problems had return. *ak the replaced fuel pump failed and had to be repaired under warranty.
Vehicle bursted into flame and exploded while parked outside of home. Local fire department arrived and extinguished fire. Also, fire department believed fire was due to an under hood electrical short. Dealer / manufacturer were notified. Feel free to provide any further details on this matter.
Vehicle was parked in gear with engine turned off when it caught on fire in engine carpartment area. Cause unknown. Consuer was waiting for further information. Please provide further information.
While vehicle was parked and not running, a fire ignited in the engine compartment, the adjuster and fire company believed the fire was started at the power distribution center, consumer asked dealer about the recall (95v193) that dealt with this component and was told this vehicle does not fall under the recall, after the fire the vehicle was a total loss.
No summary listed for above vehicle.
Vehicle has experienced failure of the recall component on several occasions, the failure has caused other brake components to wear excessively as well. (00v‑136)
Had parked vehicle. Was informed by another individual that vehicle was on fire. The fire dept called & extinguished flames. Had indicated it was faulty electrical wiring. [xxx] *ak information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6).
Been having intermittent electrcal problems,then the steering column started smoking with a burning wires smelling.
An electrical inadequacy in the fan motor wiring in the steering column, caused wiring to melt.
The electronic system malfunctions. When this happens driver has no indication of the feul level and has no turn signals . The dealer has repaired the vehicle four times. The manufacturer has been notified .
Owner saw smoke coming from igniton area. Notes circuits may be overloading. Cause unknown. Please provide further details.
Loud grinding noise while braking, no problem found.
Power steering failure, causing loss of accesory belt causing overheat, battery running low bracket broke in half.
Ignition switch failed.
Computer failed.
Alternator failed.
While driving, the tail lights and dashboard lights went out due to a short in the fuse system.
Poor traction.
When driving at any speed with not warning the car dies. Please explain.
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