99 fog light switch

[jeep99]

I'm new to the forum. Read through a lot of posts though, and you guys seem to be quite helpful. Hopefully you can help me out.

I have a 99 Cherokee. When my fog lights are on, after about 5 minutes, my fog light switch gets extremely hot to the touch. Hot to the point that by the end of a month, the switch becomes melted on the inside, to a point where it can no longer make contact to turn the lights on, and becomes useless. I have been through 3 switches in as many months.

Have a hard time taking it to the dealer for something like this. Anyone have any suggestions? Appreciate the help!

jeep99

[xj31]

is this factory installed fog lights,dealer installed mopar accessory or aftermarket?It sounds like something might not be wired correctly.For the switch to get hot enough to melt,I would think that there would have to be way too much current going through it.The switch is supposed to turn the relay on which is what handles the current for the fog lights.

[jeep99]

Lights and switch are all factory original. I didn't notice this issue when I bought the jeep. I had it in for an unrelated repair in which they had to remove the dashboard. I don't know if in putting everything back they hooked something up incorrectly or not. There are three connections--one for the fog lights, one for the rear windshield wiper, one for the rear defrost. They are all keyed differently, so it is NOT possible to hook them up incorrectly.

The switch if factory OEM, and the lights are original.

Any suggestions??? Help is much appreciated.

[Ray H]

I cant say what is wrong except to repeat what xj31 said. Too much current going through the switch for some reason. If it started after they had the dash apart, I would take it back and have them look at it. Tell them the problem started after they worked on it.
I cant think of a reason there would be too much current unless someone bypassed the relay. I guess its possible the relay has gone bad and is letting too much current through. Im not sure where the relay is for the fog lights. Its probably under the hood in the electrical control box but it may be under the dash as well. Your owners manual should tell you where its at. If the dealer doesnt come up with anything or doesnt want to play, try replacing the relay.

[MacGyverDB]

I've got a 1999 Cherokee Limited (Not GC). Have same fog light problem.
Original Equip. Have replaced switch for the 2nd time. Switch has melted.
Factory switch melted. I got a Haynes book & figured out the W/C. Put in a after market fog light switch. Lasted about a year. Melted down too.

Heard something about the dealer wanting $80-$90 to fix this? Something about the harness needing replaced?