reverse lights not coming on...

Since i bought the jeep a few weeks ago, the reverse lights never came on. (i didnt notice until about a week after i purchased it when i never saw the bright light when backing up lol). Im one of those guys that checks out my taillights (turn, brake, etc) in mirrors/windows every week or so just to make sure. (or i suppose you could have someone check while you do it :P)...
ANYWAYS...I took off the taillight lenses and the bulbs are fine. In my jimmy i used to own, the shifter is on the steering column and i noticed a little plastic peice had 'unhinged' itself from the shifter somehow. I managed to simply click it back into place, and my jimmy's reverse lights worked flawlessly for the remainder of me owning it. Im wondering if its that simple with my Jeep..? I know the jeeps console is not on the steering, down at the shifter...is that hard to take off and check? and what am i looking for in a jeep? i can figure it out easy im sure, on my own. but any of you experienced this before, maybe BEFORE i try this and its not the problem??
Any input is greatly appreciated, thanks guys!
Derek

i have an '88 jeep cherokee too. my reverse lights do not come on. i just bought the car from another person. he said that the switch for the reverse light is broken. it is located in such a way that the transmission would have to be taken out to get to the switch. his mechanic estimated $300 for the labor.

at any rate, the previous owner decided to provide his own solution to the situation. he somehow got a wire coming inside the car to a switch/button. when pressed, the reverse lights come on. when i bought the car, only one light came on (the left reverse light). i replaced the right side light bulb, and still nothing. however, when i took out the left reverse light bulb, the right side worked. i have my hypotheses why this is but not year clear.

anyways, any help on what to do and whether $300 is a "fair" price to pay for fixing the reverse lights is appreciated.

Since i bought the jeep a few weeks ago, the reverse lights never came on. (i didnt notice until about a week after i purchased it when i never saw the bright light when backing up lol). Im one of those guys that checks out my taillights (turn, brake, etc) in mirrors/windows every week or so just to make sure. (or i suppose you could have someone check while you do it :P)...
ANYWAYS...I took off the taillight lenses and the bulbs are fine. In my jimmy i used to own, the shifter is on the steering column and i noticed a little plastic peice had 'unhinged' itself from the shifter somehow. I managed to simply click it back into place, and my jimmy's reverse lights worked flawlessly for the remainder of me owning it. Im wondering if its that simple with my Jeep..? I know the jeeps console is not on the steering, down at the shifter...is that hard to take off and check? and what am i looking for in a jeep? i can figure it out easy im sure, on my own. but any of you experienced this before, maybe BEFORE i try this and its not the problem??
Any input is greatly appreciated, thanks guys!
Derek


Here is a site that may help you out Dale Good luck
http://www.dirtdevils.org/briantechtippage.htm

that is a good link, I have the same problem with my 89 cherokee, haven't done mine yet but a lot of guys on this forum have using the directions that Dale just gave you.Who ever owned my jeep before put a switch in, ran wires by the shocks and mufler, did a real crappy job, if your going to go through all that trouble, you may as well fix it right!!!

I have an 89 and I had to run the reverse light to a switch too i put a toggle swtch right near the shifter, but theres only one problem with that....I ALWAYS forget to turnthem off. So if you decide to do that it works wonderfully, just remmeber to turn them off cuz you can get pulled over..i have a couple times.

wow seems like Chrysler/Dodge didnt have their heads on straight when designing this stuff lol..Great info guys..
Im willing to try the 'correct' way to fix the reverse lights situation, pulling out the switch and fixing it...but my main concern is when it goes back in, something not working and then not having ANYthing working..hoping the gaskets and stuff arent too brittle..
If i decide to go ahead and just wire them to come on with a 'switch'...i have spare switches and wiring, but what do i wire them to? Im not the most experienced in electrical work, im more of the mechanics of everything :) Where do i splice in the wires, does anyone have a diagram (with pics preferred) of this job? I cant afford my Jeep to not work if i try the first method, I work almost every day. Id remember to turn them off, especially if you have a switch with a light on it ;)
Im still waiting for my friend to take me to the parts store so i can pick up my heater control valve that i broke (it was VERY brittle) trying to replace my upper radiator hose. maybe ill pick up some greese and cleaner just incase for only about $10 more. Once i get the over heating issue resloved, THEN ill start my next project. I dont want to start too many things then not have her running right to get to work tomorrow!

Thanks again guys, Ill let you know what works :)
Derek

I have the same problem. It's the neutral switch. If it can't be adjusted it has to be replaced. It's located on the top passenger side of the transmision and is connected to the shifting linkage. You need a lift to be able to change it out. Mine is so bad that I have to shift the car into neitral to start it sometimes.

It's the neutral switch on the way out. Check this out, it's fixable if you're handy.


http://jeepin.com/features/nss/index.asp

Colin