22nd Mar 2008, 21:53

I've own my 2000 JGCL for a little over a year now. I have had similar problems, but I can't believe some of the prices you are paying for Chrysler only parts. Especially considering I bought mine from a Chrysler dealership as well.

I have had both door lock actuators go on the driver's side. The driver's side door was about $150 CAD for the actuator with the bars that were there. The rear driver's side door was $92 CAD. I don't know where that lady who said she paid over $300 USD each was getting her parts.

I've had the driver's side brake light go as well, but all I did was take out the light, clean the connectors, replace the bulb and everything was working fine again.

I'm also having a problem with the signa light relay, where when it gets too warm, the passenger side light stops flashing after a while. I think the new relay should fix that. I paid about $75 CAD for that at a Chrysler dealership.

Replacing both actuators was very easy. You can easily find the instructions online if you look for them. The door panels pop off easily once you've removed the screws. On the front door, there's three. One in the hole in the door where you will pull it closed, one behind the circular cover up by the mirror and a torx screw behind the door handle. The back door has two screws, one in the hole where you pull the door closed and a torx screw behind the door handle.

Once you've popped off the door panels, you have to unhook the bars and the plug to the buttons. Just push the plastic tab off the bars and then pull them out. Unplug the wire then you can safely remove the panel. This is on both doors.

Pull back the plastic covering. Be careful not to tear the plastic flap behind the rods, although you may get some initial tearing. Reach in and unclasp the pars from the door handle and lock on the front door. Just the door handle on the back.

There are three torx screws T-30 in size on the side of the door where the latch is. I used an air ratchet to remove these and they were pretty easy to remove. Just slide out the old one and replace it with the new one. It may be easier for you to remove the bars from the plastic tabs after unfastening it from the door.

All in all, it took me about 30min to do each door, which is considerably less than letting Chrysler do it, since they have it at an hour and a half to do on the books.

Put the bars back in place where they are supposed to go and the power plug to the buttons. When placing the door back on, be careful and make sure all the panel pins are in place. One wrong move and you can snap a couple of them.

As for lights, you can call a wreckers or buy them off eBay for relatively cheap. You can easily find OEM parts for the Jeep and you can get both of them at the fraction of a price of one. I think it's about $80 USD for both front stock headlights and around the same amount for stock tail lights.

25th Mar 2008, 18:22

Thank goodness for this page. Just wanted to comment regarding the crazy light situation. The rear park lights stopped working completely on my 99 Jeep GC and the brake lights only came on with the park/headlight switch turned off. So... the brake lights came on during the day (dimly) and NOTHING worked at night. I did as one post suggested and switched the bottom and top gray plugs that the light bulbs are installed into. Presto... both tail lights started working perfectly. I don't know exactly why and I don't care. One traffic ticket is one too many for me. Thanks for the advice.

28th Mar 2008, 15:03

Yep same here!, I've replaced all the locks on my 2000 GC (and for the record the replacement have different part #'s then the original) and am having the issue with the brake light. I have 2 problems actually 1) sometimes the brake lights won't turn off and will still be on when I come back to the vehicle, 2) brake light one come on (same as everyone else) but mine is the right side. Last but not least...I'm also a victim of the horrible yellow lights, which by the way can be bought through aftermarket companies for the same price and be a little more stylish.

14th Apr 2008, 13:07

Great site. Interesting that so many folks are having the same difficulties as I am with my 2000 Grand Cherokee. I replaced the left brake light assembly because that brake light was seldom working.

I have the problem with the left turn signal not working intermittently and found that when I flip on the left blinker and it doesn't work, I just toggle the flashers on and off and the turn signal then works.

I haven't addressed the growling door lock yet. Driver's side door needs to be unlocked by the remote, and then by key.

Latest problem is also electrical. Lose all power but the battery is strong. Gauges will all move in unison with the car off, even though lights, radio, etc. don't work and car won't start. It's been suggested it might be a bad ground, so that's this evening's chore - try to chase that down.

22nd Apr 2008, 19:12

I have been having the same problems on my 2002 limited with my power windows, tailgate lock and brake lights. I have had two window motors replaced. How my tailgate lock will not open. We own other Chrysler products but this seems to be a Jeep issue. My guess there are thousands of other owners that have not see this site. If Jeep won't respond with a recall, maybe a class action suite is in order. Any Jeep owner lawyers out there?

dwbrennan@cox.net.