yamaha611

I have found the answer to this blinking headlight problem. (because my 94 xj does it) it is the switch. after a long life of use the headlight switch gets warn out and becomes lose. If you notice when you turn your headlights on you can wiggle the switch around up, down, left, right. This should trigger your lights to "flicker" there should be one location where everything works as it should. (in my case down and to the left is perfect) when i move mine around the headlights will flicker on or off and the dash lights will also flicker on and off. So you need to locate a good switch from the local junkyard that feels tight and has minimal play in it. this should fix it. i haven't done this yet but im going to the junkyard to get one this weekend. Let me know if this helps!!

j9ranch

Hi, I have what sounds like the same problem, my headlights will start to flicker after driving for a least a half hour, if I pull over and turn them off for just a minute, they will resume working for at least another 15 min. I have changed the main switch, the dimmer switch and cleaned terminals, still nothing. I also had to repair the wire harness where it plugs into the main on/off switch for the headlights, the harness had gotten hot enough to start melting! I am down to checking every wire to try to find the problem. I am also a little confused as to the existence of a headlight relay. Most of what I have read says there is no such thing on this Jeep (95 xj) however, the local parts store had one in stock, and printed me off a little diagram to show me that it is mounted about were the computer is for the jeep, where it is just held to the body by 1 screw???? That set up is non-existent on my Jeep. Any other answers out there?

alexvw14

having the same problem with my 94 cherokee 4.0 liter inline 6. found a small crack in the driverside headlight. the headlight still operates fine but cuts out after 10-15 minutes driving to the point where i have to hold the high beam selector back to drive. any ideas on the headlight being the problem?

venomator

i know you changed the switch, but the plug that plugs into the switch is notorius for having bad conections. i would un plug it and wiggle each wire and see if any are loose.

cruiser54

Here's how you fix it and the added bonus is your headlights will be about 30% brighter. The factory wiring for the headlights is extremely wimpy and the headlight switch has a circuit breaker in it.

Buy this:

http://www.eautoworks.com/Putco-H4--...s-PRD7540.aspx

And install it:

Cruiser’s Headlight Upgrade Harness Instructions
　
　
Absolutely plug and play. Remove grille and headlamp bulbs. I fed my harnesses from the passenger side starting between the battery and the back of the headlamp housing, over to the driver side. Plug the driver side bulb into the new harness. Attach the new harness's ground wire under one of the small bolts on the radiator support after scraping the paint off under it. Attach the harness to the existing harness behind the grille working toward the passenger side. . Plug the new harness plug into passenger headlamp. Plug original headlamp plug into receptacle on new harness. Attach the ground for the passenger side just like you did the driver side under a radiator support bolt. Attach relays with provided bracket on the passenger side inner fender. Connect power wires to battery.

If you have a newer Jeep with foglights, you will have to remove the fuse for them. There is a workaround but I don't have it right now.

alexvw14

to fix this problem on my 1994 cherokee i had to buy a wire harness repair kit i got from a dodge dealership. i had to cut and rewire the headlight switch in the dashboard this was a pain and took a while but it fixed the problem. hope this helps.

cruiser54

That fix may not last forever. Inherently, the wiring system for the Jeep's headlights is severely lacking and is full of small wiring and high resistance along with long runs of wire.

dirtyhose

89 xj limited 4.0 with the same flickering problem. it seamed to start when running the high beams for a while but now does it with just the low beams as well. headlights will recover when i switch beams or switch the lights off and on again. I'm probably going to try the up-graded wiring harness but i don't know if the Putco H4 / 9003 Heavy Duty Headlight Upgrade Wiring Harness are the right fit for my year. any thoughts on this?

cruiser54

Yes, it fits fine and I have installation instructions also..

Do this while you're waiting for the harness to arrive:

I suggest unplugging EVERY electrical connection in the engine bay you can find, whether engine related or not, and spraying it out with a good electronics cleaner, visually inspecting the terminals making sure they haven’t retracted into the plastic holder, and then plugging it back together. There’s a critical 10-pin connector for the front lighting system located in front of the air cleaner and behind the left headlight assembly. Don’t miss that one. Also be sure that the connectors to the ballast resistor mounted near the air cleaner housing are clean and tight.
ALL of the relays should be removed, the terminals wire-brushed until shiny, and the receptacles sprayed out with contact cleaner. Then plug them back in. I do this on every Renix Jeep I purchase or work on for someone else.
Revised 07/23/2012

dirtyhose

thanks a lot buddy. will do. There is a lot of corrosion in there and oil has gotten around.

Turbo X_J

Always disconnect the battery before doing any electrical work.

cruiser54

Chicken. Bz-z-z-z-z-zt. LOL.

Turbo X_J

I know, but "Bz-z-z-z-z-zt" can get expensive & really agravating in a hurry.
(really bad news if you have to call the fire department )

ARC 4.0

Hey guys, same problem - switch was replaced approx 2 years ago by a jeep mechanic so doubting its the root cause, do your lights go like this and make the same sound from inside the cabin?

EatDinosaur

Hey! Just curious if getting a new switch actually did stop the flickering? I have a '98 and just started flickering again. Thanks!