Five problems related to dash wiring have been reported for the 1996 Jeep Cherokee. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
While driving, I kept smelling melting plastic. It lasted a couple months before it went out. I looked to see several times to find it and never did. It wound up being the heater control switch and wiring harness melting. I decided to go to the junkyard to get the harness and switch and I found out from looking at 8 different Jeep Cherokees ranging from 1986 -1997 they all had the harness and switch melted in them. I then realized it was more than just my Jeep that had this issue.
Electrical short in the passenger compartment resulted in fire that completely destroyed vehicle. Fire started behind the dashboard, passenger side. Electrical shortage, and burning smell was noted, which resulted in the driver pulling off the side of the road. After quick inspection under the hood, driver walked around the vehicle, at which point the interior dashboard burst into flames.
1. Electrical short under left side dash, main wire bundle going to fuse box rubbed against bolt and wore through wire causing a short. 2. Neutral safety switch gone bad. 3. Driver's side seat rail broke somewhere and seat rocks around. 4. Rear leaf springs have a negative arch in them causing rear to sag and wheels to rub with minimum weight in vehicle. Dt.
The switch and harness melted from heat of the switch and burned the peice apart.
Computer failed.