Electrical short - smoke from left rear - 2002 Liberty

[cangooner]

Hi all,
On my way into work today I smelled a burning plastic smell, looked in the mirror and was delighted to see white smoke coming from area behind left rear wheel (below tail light assembly). Emergency flashers and turn signals don't work, so assuming it is likely a short near the tail lights themselves.

So I got it towed home, and am looking for suggestions for investigating. Is there an easy way to access the wires in that area? I'd like to avoid taking the whole **** end apart if at all possible.

Thanks,
Kris

 

[renegade 04]

You will need to remove the passengers rear most interior panel and the wiring hides behind it.

 

[cangooner]

You will need to remove the passengers rear most interior panel and the wiring hides behind it.

Thank you!

 

[CactusJacked]

If the tail light housing itself had an electrical meltdown, you remove that by removing the mounting screws once the tailgate is open, and pulling the light back and off.

 

[cangooner]

If the tail light housing itself had an electrical meltdown, you remove that by removing the mounting screws once the tailgate is open, and pulling the light back and off.

That's my first place to check, but the way the smoke was coming out, I don't think I'll be that lucky. Fingers crossed, but I expect it will be further forward than what can be reached via the tail light housing. :icon_frown:

 

[CactusJacked]

You sure it was electrical smoke and not your rear brake locked up and cooking.
Seized brakes, or accidentally keeping the parking brake engaged can make a smoky mess.....eh I mean I hear it can! Now who would do such a thing? :ROFLJest:

 

[cangooner]

You sure it was electrical smoke and not your rear brake locked up and cooking.
Seized brakes, or accidentally keeping the parking brake engaged can make a smoky mess.....eh I mean I hear it can! Now who would do such a thing? :ROFLJest:

Yes, that's the one thing I'm sure of. The smoke was coming from within the body and not from the wheel/brake assembly. I wish it was brakes as I'm a whole lot more comfortable dealing with them than anything electrical!

 

[CactusJacked]

But it might be easy to find where the smoke was coming from, look for the charred remains.
And don't forget to refill the wires once you're done:

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[cangooner]

Well, there's your problem...

Trailer light controller completely fried. It was tucked in under the tail light assembly, hence the smoke coming from that neighborhood. So I cut the whole trailer light rig out, replaced my brake & turn signal fuses, and all is good.

I couldn't find any of that replacement smoke though. Do you have a MOPAR part number for that? :happy175:

 

[Adam Roby]

Well, there's your problem...
Trailer light controller completely fried....

Wow that completely cooked... surprised the fuse didn't pop before getting that hot. Lucky it did not set fire to anything.

 

[cangooner]

Wow that completely cooked... surprised the fuse didn't pop before getting that hot. Lucky it did not set fire to anything.

No kidding, eh? Looking forward to breaking that thing apart to have a look inside.

 

[uss2defiant]

if I'm not mistaken, that is aftermarket only, there's no MOPAR for that.

 

[Billwill]

Before replacing the trailer light controller...check the wiring going from it to the hitch connector is not shorting somewhere.

 

[renegade 04]

My guess is that it is shorting where the wiring goes throw the grommet in the floor.

 

[tommudd]

Have seen those cheap clip in ones do that before
The ones that you actually wire in using the factory wiring inside the right rear there are a lot better. The ones that are mounted in behind the tail light will burn up over time. Have seen 2 KJs and 3 XJs do a similar smoke show