johnrc

Hi, I'm looking for 'how to' replace the pull-out' type headlight switch on my 95/6 build Cherokee Sport. So far I have dropped the lower dashboard panel but do not have room to get hands up into the switch area. I have also removed the pull mechanism and front bevel holding the switch in place, so everything is loose. How on earth, apart from training a ferret, does one get access to the switch itself? . . .

In addition to this I have now compounded the issue. Having disconnected the battery, and later reconnected, the neutral starter switch (which has been playing up) has decided to not work and so now I can't start the car. Is there an easy clean the switch job I can do on that?

Thanks, and cheers from Australia.

kjc

...neutral starter switch (which has been playing up) has decided to not work and so now I can't start the car. Is there an easy clean the switch job I can do on that?
This page helped me with it..

http://www.jeep-xj.info/HowtoNSSrebuild.htm

cpnwrench

Well sir, (mate),,,,

if your headlight switch is anything like mine........

there is a button (yes a steel button, which looks like the head of a pin, but larger, not much mind you, but thats what it looks like)..

that button has to be pressed pretty f-n hard to get it out.

get a Magnifying glass and a strong light, (once you've got the lower dash portion off, as you say you do). and look straight up, directly under where the face of the headlight switch abuts the back of the dash panel where your **** goes in...that should release the switch if I recall and you can then disconnect the wire harness from it etc etc.

plus there should be a "knurled" type nut which the **** shaft goes through that also attaches the switch to the dash from the front.....

hope it helps some, best of luck sir!

cpnwrench

cpnwrench

Oh yeah, forgot to mention......once its loose (as you say)

you gotta man handle the hell outta the wiring harnesses in the way.

sux, but thats the only way.

cheers!

cpnwrench

johnrc

Thanks KJC, can't wait to do it. Cheers John

DFlintstone

Hey there Jon. Do we all seem upside-down like you? I saw somewhere that the neutral safety switch GROUNDS the starter relay when in neutral or park. Don't know if this helps.
I know there are like 12 of you down there. Would you tell Lynette to please come back? I miss her. Don. (Waraunga isn't on my route)

johnrc

Thanks CPNWrench. Been there already, pushed the not-so-little nipple in and pulled out the shaft and ****, so the switch is just hanging loose behind the dash. Maybe the RHD version is a little different 'cos it's really packed full of all sorts of spaghetti and junk I just can't get past. There's no way I can get my hand up to pull apart the wiring harness. I was wondering if the warning lights panel above the light switch or even the panel that holds the light switch are removable. There appears to be a couple of screws in front there but hard to get at and even if I did, do these panels come out?

johnrc

Hey Don, reckon we're up to 20 or so now mate. If I bump into Lynette how'll I know it's her.
I'll get t the NSS tomorrow as it has been playing up for months now. But there's always a chance that I stuffed up something on the engine immobiliser. Process of elimination, and if I don't get it sorted by the weekend, I'll be eliminated. got some fishing to do and just can't miss that!

cpnwrench

Ok Jon, the plastic tubing the mfr uses to wrap the wiring harnesses etc etc have the "snaps" built onto them so the assemblers on the line can push the harness(es) into place up in there under the dash.....

as my mexican frien Jose' says..."choo gotta pooosh eet my fren"

basically, i mean really manhandle the crap outta the harness.....

because there is also a round bar up in there too (what freaking purpose it serves is BEYOND me!) and that f-r can cause you to have a permanent limp-wrist if ya aint careful......anyway, I cut and removed as much of those snaps as i could and wrested the crap outta the harness.....the switch will come out sir......take five have a brew, think, relax, then using the jedi magic and blind groping feel the space up in there to wriggle around in......
wish I could be of more help..

'course you could always "just-Torch-it!!!!"

best of luck sir!

cpnwrench

DFlintstone

Hey Jon...Blond, cute as heck and visits Northern California! That one.

The NSS gets gummy and can be cleaned. Try holding the key on start, (with the wrong hand), and jiggling the shifter around, (with the other wrong hand), in park and or neutral. Mine only sticks cold, which works out OK as I generally park it hot. I'm no help with your other issue, my ferret is booked until spring! .
V Hey wait, it that Fluffy there in the road?
V
V

cpnwrench

WAIT!!!!!!! NEWSFLASH!!!!

I just remembered!!!!!!!!!

ok, bear with me, hope I describe this right.....

on the back of the switch (i know its just loose in that tight *** space),

is the wiring block......this comes off , difficult, but it comes off.....
there are I believe like 5 or 7 push type contacts all housed in that phenolic block ( which goes on only ONE way, i.e. keyed so it can only mate one way)......this has to be done blind....i mean feel only, then you gotta somehow get that particular harness stuffed way up into the dash to keep it out of the way as you violate the remaining harnesses impeding your removal.

just thought of it now.

good luck!

cpnwrench

digger21

I just did my headlight switch and it was seriously 80% blind work. At one point I put my camera up there and took a picture so I knew what I was feeling. Just be patient and you'll get it.

cpnwrench

Jon,

as for your question on the warning lights ..panel etc....

dont try to remove them, it will just get worse....

as digger21 said,,,,just gotta work it, it will come

("be patient grasshoppa")



cpnwrench

johnrc

Hi guys and thanks all - great help. I've been off-line for a couple of days but the weekend is here and the job will get done.
Love your forum. I also belong to a forum in Australia for the owners of that rare beast, the Porsche 928 V8 supercar. There are about 800 members here in Aus. Similar assistance from dedicated owners who love their wheels, and regular meets and long county drives. Nothing like the sound of twenty or so thumping German V8's roaring through a valley on winding roads.