Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here XJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.

Dimmer switch causing headlights to not work?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 8, 2012 | 08:29 PM
  #1  
EVILXJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 1
From: South Bend, IN
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6 stroker
Default Dimmer switch causing headlights to not work?

I've got a 92 limited. No high or low headlights. When switched on my left and right and high beam indicators light up and parking lights light up but no headlights

Already replaced the headlight switch with no luck

When I click the high beams it doesnt click. Could the dimmer switch be causing this?
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 12:14 AM
  #2  
EVILXJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 1
From: South Bend, IN
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6 stroker
Default

Anyone?
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 10:43 AM
  #3  
RatchetMaster10's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 1
From: Raymore, Mo
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

don't take this as assuming your stupid, but i have to ask, have you tried replacing either bulb? alot of times when the indicators come on like that the switch is good and the bulbs are bad. sometimes one light will burn out and it won't be noticed until the other light also burns out leaving you with none. if this is not the case let me know, ill run through some other ideas with ya.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 10:58 AM
  #4  
gpeade's Avatar
Seasoned Member
 
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 401
Likes: 1
From: Smithfield, VA
Year: 1997
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

I have a 97 and according to the manuel there are seperate fuses for low and high, left and right. Seems odd that all fuses would blow at the same time though. When and how did this start? Did you go from all lights working one day to none the next?
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 11:02 AM
  #5  
EVILXJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 1
From: South Bend, IN
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6 stroker
Default

I was driving and signaled a turn and as I flipped the switch to turn both headlights went off and both turn and high beam indicator came on. I have parking lights but no headlights

I haven't checked the bulbs because I wouldn't think both would burn out at the exact same time
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 11:05 AM
  #6  
RatchetMaster10's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 1
From: Raymore, Mo
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by EVILXJ
I was driving and signaled a turn and as I flipped the switch to turn both headlights went off and both turn and high beam indicator came on. I have parking lights but no headlights

I haven't checked the bulbs because I wouldn't think both would burn out at the exact same time
its happen a few times that i've seen. but since you were driving and flipped the turn signal switch when it happen, it may have blown a different fuse.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 11:10 AM
  #7  
RatchetMaster10's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 1
From: Raymore, Mo
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

check for power at the headlight connectors using a test light. if you don't have power with the switch turned on then the switch may be bad, pull the switch out of the dash and turn it on and check for power at the conenctor that plugs into the switch. if you don't have power coming out of the switch, then switch is bad. if you have power out of the switch but not at the headlight connector there has got to be a open wire in the circuit.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 11:19 AM
  #8  
the_big_h's Avatar
Member
 
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 116
Likes: 1
From: Gads Hill, Ontario
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Dimmer switch could be bad, causing no headlights. Odd that the left/right signal indicators are on, though.
Possible bad ground at the headlights, allowing back-feed from the headlights through the signal lights? Check that you have close to 0 volts to gound on the ground wire at the headlights.
On my '98 ZJ, there's something goofed up inthe steering column, I lose headlights if I tilt up the steering wheel too far. So I don't tilt it up too far
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 12:20 PM
  #9  
EVILXJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 1
From: South Bend, IN
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6 stroker
Default

Originally Posted by RatchetMaster10
check for power at the headlight connectors using a test light. if you don't have power with the switch turned on then the switch may be bad, pull the switch out of the dash and turn it on and check for power at the conenctor that plugs into the switch. if you don't have power coming out of the switch, then switch is bad. if you have power out of the switch but not at the headlight connector there has got to be a open wire in the circuit.
If it blew a fuse would the indicators come on? I replaced the headlight switch right after it happened. No luck. Think it could be bad out of the box? Sence it happen when u I flipped the turn signal switch I am replacing that too. Just have to finish putting it back together to try it out. Might as well replace the dimmed switch while its torn apart?

Im going to get the test light out today and get into the headlights harness and try and track it down. This is the wifes jeep and she's anxious to drive it
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 01:39 PM
  #10  
RatchetMaster10's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 1
From: Raymore, Mo
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

They may still come on, I haven't looked at a wiring diagram for it yet, but sometimes te indicators are run off a separate fuse.
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 04:19 PM
  #11  
EVILXJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 1
From: South Bend, IN
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6 stroker
Default

Found this today. Headlight harness by the air box. Jumper for a wire that pulled loose from the connector and tons of dielectric. I thought this jeep was unmolested... still don't know why the indicator lights are on?
Attached Thumbnails Dimmer switch causing headlights to not work?-2012-02-09_16-35-24_526.jpg  
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 05:42 PM
  #12  
EVILXJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 1
From: South Bend, IN
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6 stroker
Default

Got the column back together and wiggled the wiring harness. Wala head lights. Had a few burnt fuses. Good to go. Going to goto the jy and cut out the harness and solder it in and replace this one

Thanks for the help guys
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 05:46 PM
  #13  
RatchetMaster10's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 1
From: Raymore, Mo
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Originally Posted by EVILXJ
Got the column back together and wiggled the wiring harness. Wala head lights. Had a few burnt fuses. Good to go. Going to goto the jy and cut out the harness and solder it in and replace this one

Thanks for the help guys
Awesome, glad ya got it fixed man!
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 06:33 PM
  #14  
EVILXJ's Avatar
Thread Starter
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,273
Likes: 1
From: South Bend, IN
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.6 stroker
Default

Originally Posted by RatchetMaster10
Awesome, glad ya got it fixed man!
Thanks for your help
Reply
Old Feb 9, 2012 | 06:52 PM
  #15  
RatchetMaster10's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 2,857
Likes: 1
From: Raymore, Mo
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Anytime
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 07:37 AM.