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89 lighting questions - dim

Old 11-14-2011, 07:12 PM
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Default 89 lighting questions - dim

i just got an 89 with 92K original miles. I have noticed that the lights (headlights, tail, stop, backup, etc) are dim compared to my Tacoma. I also have noticed that when I let the windows up or down the voltage gauge drops, running the a/c has the same effect. i have recently replaced the battery as it tested bad. my thoughts were alt. going bad, bad voltage regulator or maybe a bad ground? or is it just the fact its an 89. could i replace the regular bulbs with LED's. I am concerned with not being seen and thus being involved in an accident. I did search but i will admit i only went through the first 8 pages. Ideas?
Old 11-14-2011, 09:03 PM
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i have an 89 too. this is all normal to me. i have a 100 amp alternator in stead of the 61amp it helped somewhat. but replacing the headlight bulbs to the SYLVANIA SILVERSTAR bulbs that made a hugh differance but they are 40 bucks a bulb.
Old 11-15-2011, 03:59 AM
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The halogens in my wifes 89 were a little dim and yellow when I bought it. Cleaned up all the grounds and it helped a little. Added a 10ga. ground from the neg battery post to the inner fender by the battery. Made a big difference.
Old 11-15-2011, 05:04 AM
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Originally Posted by mike mike
The halogens in my wifes 89 were a little dim and yellow when I bought it. Cleaned up all the grounds and it helped a little. Added a 10ga. ground from the neg battery post to the inner fender by the battery. Made a big difference.
The grounding on these Jeeps was crappy when new. It is under-engineered.

If you wanna kill two birds with one stone, add a #4 cable from the engine dipstick tube stud to the 8mm stud on the passenger inner fender right below where the upper shock mounts. Clean the paint from the stud. While you're at it, clean the block mounting point til it's shiny and do the same with all the wires that attach there. Those wires provide the ground for your ECU and multiple sensors in your fuel injection system.
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