You cant figure out why your reverse lights don't work on your 97 jeep Cherokee sport?

Your reverse lights are controlled by the neutral start switch. This switch is on the transmission and prevents you from engaging the starter when the vehicle is in any gear. It allows the starter to engage in Park and Neutral only. It also turns the backing lights on when you put the vehicle in reverse.

It is fairly user serviceable but if you are not an experienced mechanic you may want to leave it to the professionals. The switch itself could be expensive depending on where you buy it. You may also want to rebuild your existing switch - not complex - there is a link to how to do this in an answer to a similar question.

AnswerCheck the fuses of course.

It is on the same circuit as the brake lights, but if they are not working, and the bulbs are good your switch needs cleaning or adjustment.

Attempt this first since the switch costs nearly $300 bucks.

On the passengers side of the trans just behind the bell housing there is a fan shaped switch, loosen the 12mm bolt ( smaller of the two, and rotate the switch while a friend checks the lights. this problem is usually accompanied by an occasional inability to start the vehicle, but can be cured by jiggling the shifter.

While adjusting the switch make sure that the vehicle will start in park as well, remember to block the wheels while testing the back up lights, engine off, key in run but not start, shifter in reverse, move switch until lights come on.

Once you find this spot, hold it in place and have your helper check to make sure it will start. This may take several tries to get both working correctly.

If you have no luck the switch may be dirty, this happens a lot. Hold the post to the bottom large bolt still while you loosen the nut, then remove it, then remove the 12mm adjusting bolt on top, remove the wire connector and pull the switch away, remove the bolts on the switch and separate the halves, use electrical contact cleaner and maybe some q-tips to clean all the copper connections completely apply di-electric grease and reassemble, refit to the trans and readjust so all functions work, this switch controls back up and start safety.

Caution! always hold that bottom bolt while tightening the large nut, this is connected to the gear adjuster and you could damage the internals if it isn't secured while you do it.