What would cause the interior lights to come on and stay on after exiting the vehicle Please help Jeep 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee limited?

Answer 1

If the interior lights go off after 60 or 90 seconds, then everything is working fine! This is a feature that was built into these Jeeps to let you exit with some light. The interval can be adjusted to 15/30/60/90 seconds thru the onboard computer - check your owner's manual. If the lights never go off, then check all of the door jam switches first (try WD40 on them all to make sure they are not stuck), also check if there is a switch at the back hatch. If you still have the problem, then it is either a short in one of those switches or a BCM, either can be somewhat costly to fix. DO NOT REPLACE THE BCM!!! TRY THIS FIRST! I found the way to fix this. It's a bad switch in either/both the driver or passenger side front door. The switch is located at the bottom of the door opposite the hinge. The switch is used to tell the car that the door was unlocked and to turn on the lights. If you pull back the door cover on the bottom (You do not need to remove the cover completely) and pull back that plastic you will see the plug for the switch down in that bottom corner. Just unplug one switch and try closing and locking the doors. If the lights still don't go off try unplugging the other switch and doing the same. I'm not sure how much these switches are, but If you decide not to replace it you will see the following effects (There may be more, but these are the only ones I'm aware of): 1.) The lights will not turn on when that door is unlocked. 2.) If the alarm is set and you unlock only that door and enter the vehicle, the alarm will sound. I am having the same problem. I took it to the dealer. I had a bad door jam switch is what they first said. Replaced that, and now the interior lights still stay on. The dealership wants to replace the BCM which is about $500. I am not sold on that solution yet. They couldn't really tell me what was wrong on the BCM, just that it needed to be replaced. The lights go off if you turn the ignition to ON or turn the car on. They only seem to stay on when you turn the car off. All the other door jam switches are present and working. They said something about a short on the board, but that doesn't make sense to me, because the lights go out at some point. I think it is a connecter/wiring problem, but what do I know? I am going to get a wiring diagram of the vehicle and try to troubleshoot it this weekend...or get a BCM out of a salvage yard. My solution for now is to remove the two fuses for the BCM while I am not running the car...kind of annoying though. Maybe I'll just put a switch on my dash for the interior lights... If you lock the doors by using the lock switch on the drivers side, then close the door, the lights go out instantly, without delay...... update 8th July 08 After checking the door switches I brought my Jeep orvis to the autoelectrician and fixed by adjusting the back door catch. i was surprized as the backdoor light on the dash used to go on and off.. it cost me fifity euro but it fixed so i thought i share !

Answer:

Another possibility is: the 1996 ZJ has a problem with water corrosion occurring in the liftgate ajar switch and connector. The switch is located in the liftgate latch. remove the liftgate trim panel and disconnect the ajar switch. inspect for corrosion. Corrosion will appear as a white, blue or green crusty substance. If this is the case, the switch and connector will need to be replaced. parts are available at any Jeep dealer.