Why do the interior lights stay on when car is locked and all doors are closed on a 1997 Jeep Grand Cherokee?

Answer 1

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. Hope that helps. -Broofus See discussion area below for the absolute fix for a 1997 Jeep Cherokee; as the above switches are not in a 1997...but I have the fix....sixhackers

Answer 2

This may be the result of an electrical switch in a door lock mechanism that is stuck closed (likely the driver side door as this is the most used door).

Unfortunately, this switch is integrated with the locking mechanism and its expensive to replace. I experienced the same thing with the back hatch (the back hatch electrical switch stopped working, although the latch would still lock, the back hatch light will stay on and the alarm will not arm).

This back hatch switch was bypassed permanently by finding the offending door lock the wire (orange) and disconnecting it.

Answer 3

It depends upon the type of system. Some vehicles have a sentry function which will keep either the interior lights, the head lights or both on for a period of time. If the headlights switch shorts it can cause this. More commonly the door pin switch in one of the doors is not activating. When the door is closed the door switch opens, however if the switch is bad it will allow the current to pass keeping on the lights. Go to your local parts store and purchase a manual for your model vehicle. Look up the door switch in the lighting section and it will tell you how to check them. Some auto parts stores will print out specific information if you ask. Either way if it is a door switch it is normally not to difficult to change.