Headlight replacement for 99 XJ
#16
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Harness: CRUISER'S MOSTLY RENIX TIPS
HEADLIGHT HARNESS UPGRADE
NOVEMBER 17, 2015 SALAD 48 COMMENTSIt’s easy to install a supplemental headlight harness.
From the factory, the voltage to the headlight bulbs travels from the battery, through connectors, inside the cabin, to the headlamp switch, and then back out to the lamps via undersized wire and more connectors. It’s not uncommon to find only 10.5 volts at the lamps.
The supplemental harness is installed so that it provides battery voltage to the lamps and is just triggered by the factory wiring. The result is about 35% brighter headlamps and headlight switches that don’t melt and burn out.
Here’s a link to a harness on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/CERAMIC-H4-H...-/330997592807
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.
#17
CF Veteran
#18
CF Veteran
BTW measured the voltage coming out of the the "upgrade" and it's 14.2 volts.
Measured the voltage coming out of the repaired OEM circuit and it's...
...14.2 volts.
Seems to be less of an "upgrade" and more like a "bypass".
Measured the voltage coming out of the repaired OEM circuit and it's...
...14.2 volts.
Seems to be less of an "upgrade" and more like a "bypass".
#19
CF Veteran
That isn't the right test. You would need to do a voltage-drop test between the battery and the headlamp connector while the headlamps are on (current flowing). Another good test would be an amp clamp to measure current at the headlamp connector (with lamp on).
Results may or may not be impressive, but just testing unloaded voltage won't show you much (its like measuring the water pressure on your garden hose, but not caring how big the diameter of the hose is or how much water is trying to actually flow).
Results may or may not be impressive, but just testing unloaded voltage won't show you much (its like measuring the water pressure on your garden hose, but not caring how big the diameter of the hose is or how much water is trying to actually flow).
#21
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Year: 1995 RHD
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0l
Is the general consensus to just upgrade the harness and put in better bulbs when LED units are not being considered?
I did my harness a while back and it did increase voltage to the bulbs, but not by a great amount, my HL switch must be in a reasonable condition. Even with the harness though, I still have many points where I question if my headlights are even on. My light units still look clean and reflective on the inside but with it being a RHD, most options I find in terms of unit replacement wouldn't pass a UK MOT inspection.
I did my harness a while back and it did increase voltage to the bulbs, but not by a great amount, my HL switch must be in a reasonable condition. Even with the harness though, I still have many points where I question if my headlights are even on. My light units still look clean and reflective on the inside but with it being a RHD, most options I find in terms of unit replacement wouldn't pass a UK MOT inspection.
#22
Senior Member
Is the general consensus to just upgrade the harness and put in better bulbs when LED units are not being considered?
I did my harness a while back and it did increase voltage to the bulbs, but not by a great amount, my HL switch must be in a reasonable condition. Even with the harness though, I still have many points where I question if my headlights are even on. My light units still look clean and reflective on the inside but with it being a RHD, most options I find in terms of unit replacement wouldn't pass a UK MOT inspection.
I did my harness a while back and it did increase voltage to the bulbs, but not by a great amount, my HL switch must be in a reasonable condition. Even with the harness though, I still have many points where I question if my headlights are even on. My light units still look clean and reflective on the inside but with it being a RHD, most options I find in terms of unit replacement wouldn't pass a UK MOT inspection.
After you have improved your headlights take a look at other critical bulbs such as those for stop and turn lamps. I expect you will find the bulbs darkened internally and dusty on the exterior. Replacing them will improve their visibility.
#23
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Year: 1995 RHD
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0l
As I have the headlight harness, the connectors to the bulbs are brand new so no issues there. Prior to fitting the harness I had renewed the connectors on the original loom too.
I have however found these on eBay, has anyone heard of "Crystal headlights" before?
eBay
#25
CF Veteran
IIWY I'd follow Jordan's advice. Measure the voltage under load. It seems to me that if you're running +/- 14.0 volts any lamp would provide sufficient light, and a heckuva lot more than if they're so dim now you're wondering if your lights are even turned on.
Last edited by Dave51; 02-08-2019 at 11:20 AM.
#26
CF Veteran
I got the H4 housings from Amazon along with the wiring harness and Hella 80/100w bulbs and it was a huge improvement.
#27
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Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
#29
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Here is a comparison to the stock headlight on the left.
#30
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Year: 1995 RHD
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0l
I have however found these on eBay, has anyone heard of "Crystal headlights" before?
eBay
eBay