Bypass headlight wiring harness?
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Slightly hijacking this thread, but does anyone know a source for replacement headlight harnesses (from the aforementioned connector, to the headlights/turnsignals/etc)? I didn't have a problem with the connectors, but right after the connectors (on the headlight side) the wires literally broke off from being brittle. I fixed them (very well, I might add), but I know eventually they are going to rear their ugly heads (Murphy taught me this). Would love to have a replacement harness on hand.
CF Veteran
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 1,469
Likes: 26
From: North canaan Connecticut
Year: 01, 99, 98, 98,98
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Forgive my lack of wire routing knowledge here. What I've done so far is eliminate that harness. I like the idea of a dual throw switch, the same as I just used for the Taurus fan swap.
At this point, I imagine it wouldn't be beneficial to just relocate the necessary wires at the headlight switch for the dual throw?
I've tested and checked all ground/fuse/relay connections. My problem being that all my lights are functional apart from having to literally hold the high beam switch while I drive to get headlights on. And that only provides high beams, no low beam.
Hope none of that was confusing. Thanks so much for that diagram
At this point, I imagine it wouldn't be beneficial to just relocate the necessary wires at the headlight switch for the dual throw?
I've tested and checked all ground/fuse/relay connections. My problem being that all my lights are functional apart from having to literally hold the high beam switch while I drive to get headlights on. And that only provides high beams, no low beam.
Hope none of that was confusing. Thanks so much for that diagram
Wait. I'm not as familiar with 91 as I am with 98-01 but couldn't the hi-low switch be bad? He should check for voltage at the connector. The connector needs to be dealt with regardless but just a thought.
Member
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 166
Likes: 0
From: Missouri
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Do you realized you just replied to, and bumped, a 3+ year old post.
Newbie
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 23
Likes: 3
From: Upstate NY
Year: 1991
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 H.O
bump, another 3 years. i have same problem with headlight connector behind airbox, i dont understand what exactly putting this in
does
::CF Moderator::
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 43,971
Likes: 1,579
From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
bump, another 3 years. i have same problem with headlight connector behind airbox, i dont understand what exactly putting this in Amazon.com: Putco 230004HW Premium Automotive Lighting Wiring H4 100W Heavy Duty Harness and Relay: Automotive does
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 1,215
Year: 1989
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0
bump, another 3 years. i have same problem with headlight connector behind airbox, i dont understand what exactly putting this in Amazon.com: Putco 230004HW Premium Automotive Lighting Wiring H4 100W Heavy Duty Harness and Relay: Automotive does
Last edited by lawsoncl; Nov 25, 2019 at 08:29 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 789
Likes: 234
From: Current XJ is
Year: 95
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
bump, another 3 years. i have same problem with headlight connector behind airbox, i dont understand what exactly putting this in Amazon.com: Putco 230004HW Premium Automotive Lighting Wiring H4 100W Heavy Duty Harness and Relay: Automotive does
It makes up for voltage drops due to corrosion inside the wiring insulation and also makes up for poor grounds or
It allows your headlight and high/low switches to last indefinitely as the relays now become the electrical load bearing "switches".
Take your pick.
Last edited by ijeeep; Nov 25, 2019 at 10:49 PM.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 1,215
Year: 1989
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0
I would just clean up that connector as best you can with a wire brush. It's not going to need to handle any real current if you do the headlight upgrade harness If you think it's too far gone, then cut and splice the wires. The new harness is plug-n-play. You unplug the headlights from the original wiring and plug them into the new harness, the new harness will plug into one of the original headlight connectors for the "trigger" for the relays, and then power and ground go to the battery.
CF Veteran
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 4,367
Likes: 1,215
Year: 1989
Model: Comanche (MJ)
Engine: 4.0
Newbie
Joined: Jun 2021
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Follow up question
I'm a novice here but if I Solder the wires, why then do I need to buy that part from Amazon? And where do I attach it if I'm soldering the wires to bypass that connector? I also watched that headlight harness install, but I'm confused as his new connector is by the battery on the passenger side where my issue seems to start at the corroded connector under the air filter on the driver side... I'm not seeing where it'd connect after the soldering.... thanks a lot
Last edited by ichabod; Jun 2, 2021 at 09:32 PM.