Repair 7

Open the trunk of your vehicle and remove the round panel directly behind the taillight assembly.

Unscrew the exposed black knob to release the back light casing.

Locate the release tab on the light and pull out the casing. The release tab should be in the gap between the light casing and the portion of the vehicle closest to the hatch back door.

Find the two exposed light switches on the back of the exposed light. One of the switches is for your vehicles brake light and the other is for the turn signal.

Disconnect the wires on the back of the turn signal and turn the switch counter-clockwise to remove.

Remove the old bulb and with the clean cloth, insert the new bulb. The bottom of the bulb must be lined up properly in order to secure itself in the casing.

Replace and reconnect the turn signal switch and wires. Replace the casing and secure the black knob and panel.

Turn on the turn signal to ensure that it is working properly.

Ensure that the headlight switch is off. If necessary, turn on the headlight switch to determine which license plate bulb is out (unless youre replacing both). Turn the switch back off after checking.

Raise your 1997 Grand Cherokees rear hatch.

Remove the retaining screw on the lens cover of the faulty license plate bulb, using the screwdriver. Each lens only has one screw; its on the inside edge of the lens.

Pull the lens downward from where the retaining screw was removed. There is a small tab on the other side of the lens that acts as a hinge and holds the other side of the lens in place.

Pull the spent bulb straight out of the socket. Push the replacement bulb into the socket and test the light before replacing the lens assembly. Ensure that the tab on the lens is seated inside the bulbs cavity when reassembling it.