1991 Baby needs help
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia
Year: 1991 Limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
I have a salvage yard nearby that is full of jeep cherokee's. no pun intended. I will call and see what they have. I can probably pick up one pretty cheap. and I will send you the contact info. They accept credit card or debit card payments and would probably ship the part directly to you. I will call them and find out. That way you don't pay a bunch of money without knowing for sure!
Jeepette,
My headlamps were intermittently blinking-off while driving and I would have to pull over, shut-off the lights, wait a minute then turn-on and drive until next blink-off. There was no "hard" failure that I could diagnose and it all came down to an electrically overstressed switch (even though it appeared to function correctly when cold). I went through the entire headlamp system with a voltmeter (and all measurements were of correct value) before I arrived at the root cause by visual inspection. I encourage you to view the first five photos in my photo album to display my discovery. The photos show that the connector to the headlamp switch had melted from an overheated terminal, the cause of the switch failure. The terminal overheated because, when assembled at the factory, one of the pins of the headlamp switch had been "mis-mated" (i.e., the pin in-question had not inserted inside the respective receptacle but had slipped-in beside the receptacle which created an incidental connection). This took a long time (at least 5 years) to fail.
Bottom-line: Replace the headlamp switch. While in the process, carefully inspect the cable harness for trouble indications such as melted plastic and/or melted/brittle wire insulation. If any is found then inspect/test (gently tug and wiggle) the receptacle crimps as well as the pin-face and rivets on the old switch body until you've found the likeliest cause. Fix only what needs fixing. Note that replacement connectors are cheaply available with pigtails for re-splicing into the harness (or you can get one from salvage but that's a painful exercise). Align connections carefully upon reassembly. Sorry for the long story but that's how I teach.
Good Luck,
Cherryokee
My headlamps were intermittently blinking-off while driving and I would have to pull over, shut-off the lights, wait a minute then turn-on and drive until next blink-off. There was no "hard" failure that I could diagnose and it all came down to an electrically overstressed switch (even though it appeared to function correctly when cold). I went through the entire headlamp system with a voltmeter (and all measurements were of correct value) before I arrived at the root cause by visual inspection. I encourage you to view the first five photos in my photo album to display my discovery. The photos show that the connector to the headlamp switch had melted from an overheated terminal, the cause of the switch failure. The terminal overheated because, when assembled at the factory, one of the pins of the headlamp switch had been "mis-mated" (i.e., the pin in-question had not inserted inside the respective receptacle but had slipped-in beside the receptacle which created an incidental connection). This took a long time (at least 5 years) to fail.
Bottom-line: Replace the headlamp switch. While in the process, carefully inspect the cable harness for trouble indications such as melted plastic and/or melted/brittle wire insulation. If any is found then inspect/test (gently tug and wiggle) the receptacle crimps as well as the pin-face and rivets on the old switch body until you've found the likeliest cause. Fix only what needs fixing. Note that replacement connectors are cheaply available with pigtails for re-splicing into the harness (or you can get one from salvage but that's a painful exercise). Align connections carefully upon reassembly. Sorry for the long story but that's how I teach.
Good Luck,
Cherryokee
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia
Year: 1991 Limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
I have a salvage yard nearby that is full of jeep cherokee's. no pun intended. I will call and see what they have. I can probably pick up one pretty cheap. and I will send you the contact info. They accept credit card or debit card payments and would probably ship the part directly to you. I will call them and find out. That way you don't pay a bunch of money without knowing for sure!
That would be awesome! Don't know how to thank you enough....I have to go now...kids to drive all over this earth cause it is a day off school here and no one wants to be home!
Please send me the info/contact, and I will let you know how it all turns out!
Thanks so much!!!
CF Veteran
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 3
From: Hanover,Ont, Canada
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.o
I agree with the op, check the headlamp switch first, after that I would check the connection at the front left (under the air box I think) thatis where the connector for all of the front end lighting is located. Check it for corrosion, when I had my 92 I had a similar issue.
Good luck!
Good luck!
If yours is an '89 and mine is a '99, and each of us has a dash mounted headlamp switch, then doesn't it seem reasonable to assume that her '91 has the same? We can both agree that the high beam toggle is a column mounted stick/bat.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
You may be right, I may be crazy... I think that's how the song goes. Your ride is awesome. I always wanted to trick-out a two door 'kee. For now it's still a dream, but one of these days...
If yours is an '89 and mine is a '99, and each of us has a dash mounted headlamp switch, then doesn't it seem reasonable to assume that her '91 has the same? We can both agree that the high beam toggle is a column mounted stick/bat.
If yours is an '89 and mine is a '99, and each of us has a dash mounted headlamp switch, then doesn't it seem reasonable to assume that her '91 has the same? We can both agree that the high beam toggle is a column mounted stick/bat.
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Nova Scotia
Year: 1991 Limited
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
You may be right, I may be crazy... I think that's how the song goes. Your ride is awesome. I always wanted to trick-out a two door 'kee. For now it's still a dream, but one of these days...
If yours is an '89 and mine is a '99, and each of us has a dash mounted headlamp switch, then doesn't it seem reasonable to assume that her '91 has the same? We can both agree that the high beam toggle is a column mounted stick/bat.
If yours is an '89 and mine is a '99, and each of us has a dash mounted headlamp switch, then doesn't it seem reasonable to assume that her '91 has the same? We can both agree that the high beam toggle is a column mounted stick/bat.
OK guys...I have a pull swtich on the dash, and the lights come on, but the high beam toggle is on the stick and the cruise control is on the same stick and neither work..
but I am gloing to check all those wires for corrosion and burning marks, etc...
will let you know what happens but I have kids hollering for the "taxi driver' and I have to go now!
check in later,
THANKS SO MUCH GUYS<
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
You may be right, I may be crazy... I think that's how the song goes. Your ride is awesome. I always wanted to trick-out a two door 'kee. For now it's still a dream, but one of these days...
If yours is an '89 and mine is a '99, and each of us has a dash mounted headlamp switch, then doesn't it seem reasonable to assume that her '91 has the same? We can both agree that the high beam toggle is a column mounted stick/bat.
If yours is an '89 and mine is a '99, and each of us has a dash mounted headlamp switch, then doesn't it seem reasonable to assume that her '91 has the same? We can both agree that the high beam toggle is a column mounted stick/bat.
Last edited by freegdr; Oct 11, 2010 at 09:10 AM.
Okay, now that we're clear on the switch issue we can move onto the next.
Cruise control and high-beam stick malfunction leads to the clock spring doodad in the column. Deal with the headlamp switch first and if the secondary issue remains then you're in for a little more fun!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch... Get them young 'uns out of your hair.
Cruise control and high-beam stick malfunction leads to the clock spring doodad in the column. Deal with the headlamp switch first and if the secondary issue remains then you're in for a little more fun!
Meanwhile, back at the ranch... Get them young 'uns out of your hair.
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