JSlaughter

First post on the forum. Hope to become a contributing member one day but gotta make that first post.

I picked up a 98 Cherokee (joined the jeep life!) and have been building her back up as she has seen better days. What has got me confused is the headlights are so dim I cannot see anything even with the brights on. I picked up cheap replacement headlights but still having the same issues. (I didnt want to get nicer headlamps until I have fixed the issue).

I tested the pig tails and with the jeep running I was getting 12 volts, and if i remember correctly you are supposed to be getting 14 when running? But I guess my question is would 2 volts really make that much of a difference? Like if it is pitch black I can barely see 10 ft in front of me. I found a rewire harness but dont want to do that if 2 volts really wont make much more of a difference. Anyone run into the same issue?
Thanks!

sycoglitch

Google search putco harness for jeep XJ. You need to install or build a harness that uses relays and takes power right from the battery. Stock wiring goes through the switch and you get a voltage drop. I had 11v at my headlights, way back when, before I upgraded everything.

Fred/N0AZZ

X2 on new harness.,,,,,and Welcome to the Forum!

JSlaughter

Ok thats what I figured I should do. I didnt know if the two volts would make that much of a difference. Hopefully they do cuz I cant see anything!

I found this harness on another thread.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/231025300220...649&rmvSB=true

Same thing as the Putco?

sycoglitch

You'll also need new lights too, sealed or not, preferably not sealed but an H4 upgrade. Don't forgot over time headlights dim naturally as the filament wears out.

Do the harness, Install lights and find a garage door or wall and 25ft of space and aim them. That's also important is the aiming

XJwonders

Agreed on doing the harness. I have had experience with Putco, LMC, and a homemade harness. I would recommend LMC first and Putco second.

sycoglitch

Yo, dont copycat me. I preach for LMC lol. But yea, several years and my only issue was water corroded of the the relays which isn't the harness fault lolololol. Easy fix but still going strong. Lmc ftw

JSlaughter

LMC it is! Is there a link anyone has to get the right harness. I am googling it and keep coming up with different things.

sycoglitch

Wonders may have it or it may be on my build thread. Been a few years since I've done it

cpttuna

LMC truck part # 36-3580 $29.95 0r about $40 to your front door by the brown truck. Don't forget to refresh your grounds.

JSlaughter

Sorry to revive and old thread. Still running into some odd issues. I put in the new LMC harness and it was working just fine til my passenger low beam went out. No big deal, I wanted HIDs anyway. I install HIDs and everything is working great. Driving home everything just fine and I stop to get food for 20 min or so and fire up the jeep and turn on the headlights and the passenger low beam is out again!
So I swapped relays, they are fine. The high beams are working on both sides so I know the ballasts are getting power. I havent had a chance to swap the bulbs to see if it just burned out.
If the bulb is burned out why would I go thru two bulbs that fast? I will post back when I swap bulbs, tomorrow hopefully.
I just find it odd that when i install the new harness, two bulbs go out. Did I do something wrong?

sycoglitch

You need a meter to test the voltage at the connections. There's a chance the pins that go into the h4 connectors are loose. A little rtv to hold then into place.