How to Troubleshoot the Light Bar in a 2005 Jeep Liberty Renegade

A light bar on a Renegade is generally an after-market installation and subject to the quality of installation. The lights should be of the totally sealed category. The wiring connectors should all have butt connectors and heat shrink over the connectors. The entire length of the wiring should be housed in a metal sheathing.

Things You'll Need

• Volt and ohmmeter
• Phillips screwdriver
• Common screwdriver

Instructions

1. Check the fuse for an "open." Check the light switch for power using the voltmeter. If the light switch has power with the ignition switch on only, turn the ignition switch on and recheck.

2. Check for power on the other side of the light switch when the ignition switch is turned on. If there is power at the light switch initially, there should be power at the opposite terminal when the ignition switch is turned on. If there is no power, the light switch is bad.

3. Check the lights themselves. Remove the lens with the Phillips screwdriver and extract the light bulb. Turn the light switch on and check for power at the center terminal of the light socket. If there is no power, the wiring is at fault between the light switch and the light. If there is power, the ground is bad.

4. Check the black wire for a ground. Put the ohmmeter on ohms and touch the one lead to the center terminal on the light socket and the other lead to ground. If there is continuity, the socket is bad. If there is no continuity, the ground wire connection to the frame or ground needs to be repaired by cleaning or replacing the end.

References

• Don Bowman, A.S.E. Certified Mechanic