My 18 y/o daughter has a 96 Jeep Cherokee Sport. Suddenly the headlamps have stopped working on either default low or high beam settings. If you pull the dimmer stick toward you it will high beam, but you have to HOLD it.

I've checked the lines right at the lamps themselves with a VO meter, and it's true that they aren't getting power unless the switch is held as described above. Also have checked fuses under the dash, #11 and #17.

Probably the headlamp delay relay or the dimmer switch?

Thanks for any wisdom, experience or suggestions!

Chuck

 

Chances are you answered your own question. Might need a new headlight switch. Hate installing those.

 

I wonder if there's a way to test it -- maybe disassemble the molding around the steering column and touch some contacts together?

 

Run a set of wires from battery to bulb terminals themselves. Main test you did was test voltage to the sockets and turn the switch on. You went from each terminal to ground. Try continuity on the socket ground to chasis and make sure you have ground at the socket. Best chance is switch is bad. Had mine go a few years back while driong home from jersey. Only had hi beam from the lever by the steerin wheel. New switch fixed it

 

Isnt arm forward high beams and back flash to pass.?

 

It is but arm forward only works when the switch is on IIRC. Been a while since I used it like that but yea arm back is to flash ppl. OP can try to pull switch to first on position and push arm forward and see if high beams come on

 

Exactly...

 

This happened to me in my 94 replaced switch then it was fine...just my experience hope it helps

 

I've had this problem on both my XJ's. The switch isn't really designed that well and they burn out a lot. A new switch is @ $20 and isn't really that hard to replace.

 

Ans switching to a harness helps take load off the switch moving forward