Hi guys

A week ago the passenger-side headlight on my 2000 XJ went extremely dim. Driver side works fine, but right side high and low beams are both extremely dim.

I replaced the stock headlights with Sylvania Xtravisions, but the light is still dim. Checked all appropriate fuses. I tried re-seating the headlight plug, lightly sanding the contacts, using contact cleaner, as well as a bit of dielectric grease on the headlight prongs. Still no difference. From what I've gathered I might have a bad ground. I have little to no experience with electrical wiring, and am relatively unfamiliar with XJ's in general. I've done by best to trace the ground looking for corrosion/melted wires/frayed wires but from what I can see everything is relatively intact. I've read it might be a good idea to simply clip the current ground and make a new one.

Any help would be greatly appreciated

Mark

 

Bump (sorry)

Supposed to drive pretty far tomorrow, hoping to have the issue resolved before then. Thanks for your time.

 

Maybe the contact is corroded?

 

It doesn't look any worse than the drivers side, and that functions fine. I've also sanded and cleaned the contacts. Can someone provide a link for replacing a ground? I realize it probably is as simple as clipping the old near the socket, then running a new one to a bolt under the hood but being a wiring newbie I'd appreciate any info I can get.

 

Sounds like you got it, though. Just make sure you clean the surfaces well, and maybe use dielectric grease.

 

X2. You could also tab into the original ground with a 3M connector and run a new wire from that to a clean mounting location, or even the the battery negative terminal. Use about a 12 gauge wire, which can be bought in small rolls at any auto parts store.

 

the ground is on the passenger side fender next to the PCM (closer to the cab)

 

I have the exact same problem. 2000 XJ w/165k miles. Out of nowhere, the passenger side is dim on both high & lowi also notice that the high-beam indicator on the dash comes on very dim, when I am not using the high-beams.

Was there a resolution to this?

Jack

 

your headlight switch is going out

do you have upgraded headlights by any chance?

 

As my XJ is old, I drive from dusk to dawn with brights on. No one has high beamed me yet, so I'll continue.

 

Nope. The truck is bone stock, including standard Halogen Sealed Beams. If it turns out to be the switch, I'll run relays on the head & fog lamps after I replace it.

 

So your one of THOSE annoying folks.

Just because they don't flash their high beams doesnt mean your not annoying and blinding.