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Blinkers and brake light problem

3K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  MudMagnetYJ 
#1 ·
Hey everyone,

I have a 1993 YJ, 2.5L. My blinkers will only work when I have have the hazard lights on (the hazards don't work) and my brake lights do not work either. I have looked and replaced all the fuses and relays with no success. I have read and heard that I may need to tear into the steering column and replace the harness in there. Any and all help will be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

JAD
 
#2 ·
do you have a hitch? The lights on my 98 were going hay wire and the wires on the hitch had cracked and exposed some of the wires and were shorting out on the frame and bumper. Cut out hitch wiring and reattached everything and all lights work fine. Could also be a grounding issue with the brake lights.
 
#4 ·
corrosion

I had a similar problem w/ my 95 YJ and went down the route of replacing/exchanging fuses which didn't help but then found some corrosion in the pass side blinker housing - cleaned it up with some steel wool (supposedly vinegar works too -didn't try) and it works fine.

Worth a shot! :D
 
#5 ·
You said you replaced fuses and relays, but did you replace the round flasher plugs? Bulbs?
But like green said above me, I had this happen in my J10 truck and traced it to a grounding wire in the rear. Easy fix but have to eliminate the variables.
 
#6 ·
It could be a number of issues, but the brake lights and directionals are on a separate filament within the same bulb. The 4ways will activate the rear tail lights which are on a different filament. If you've already ruled that out, disregard.
 
#7 ·
Ok here is what I have done today. I have replaced the blinker and hazard relays (little SOB's under the dash). I also replaced a 20 amp fuse that was blown for the brake lights that was under the dash. Now I have brake lights when I have the hazards turned off and turn signals when I turn the hazards on. Here is another odd thing, when the hazards are off and I hit the brakes my front turn signals light up like they are brake lights.
 
#8 ·
Check for continuity in the bulb housing between the hot and the ground. Do that for each bulb. This will tell you if you have a short. Then pull the fuse that keeps blowing and put the test leads of an ammeter in there in series. Harbor Freight free meters have this function. Now you can read the current (in amps) going through that fuse. Play around with the turn signals, hazards, brakes, reverse lights, running lights, and just about every light. When the current spikes up really high, you know which circuits have the issue.
 
#9 ·
That's a great idea Mud. I have been going down the list of all the great ideas you all have posted. I can't thank you all enough. All the bulbs are new and the new fuse is still holding. Does anyone know if changing out the turn signal switch would help at all? I have one on order and it will be here in a couple of days.
 
#10 ·
It could help but it's just changing parts. You might get lucky but it's better to diagnose then fix. If you're going to start changing parts, I'd recommend to narrow the issue down to a few things or one specific area first.
 
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