1998 Cherokee electrical problems

[MooseMania]

I have a '98 Cherokee Sport and I have a few electrical problems. First, the interior lights don't come on when the driver door is open. If I play with the plastic panel by my left foot they sometimes flicker. The work with all the other doors.

Second, the liftgate doesn't always lock with the power locks. I don't know what I do that makes it work but sometimes it does.

Third, some of my instrument panel dash lights don't work at all. At least the "full-time" "part-time" four wheel drive lights don't work, I'm not sure what else.

I don't want this to cost a fortune to fix, someone please help...Thanks

[BCBlues]

Remove the switch in the door frame (body) and touch the wire attached to it (the switch) to ground (body). If the lights come on then replace the switch. Be careful not to drop the wire back in the hole or you will have a heck of a time finding it again.

For the power door lock. Remove the interior trim panel. You will see the lock mechanisum and the lock solenoid. There are a lot of linkages/bell cranks in there that operate the lock mechanisum. these get gunked up and become sticky. Clean the moving parts with brake clean. Be carful not to use to much, it can ruen your paint were eye protection. Spray white greese on the moving parts and operate the linkages untill they move freely. Thats what I have to do when mine stops working. Frees it right up.

To fix all of those lights you will probbly have to replace some light bulbs. This involves pulling the panel off of the dash and removing the modules that contain the lights. Not as hard as it sounds. Look closley for panel screws, remove them. When pulling the panel there are some internal snap fasteners so remove it evenly and slowly so you dont break any plastic.