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Headlight switch isn't working. Help!

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Old Aug 22, 2015 | 12:23 AM
  #1  
BayArea93xj's Avatar
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From: Sunnyvale Ca
Year: 1993
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 straight 6
Question Headlight switch isn't working. Help!

93 xj sport second hand.
I started having problems where sometimes my headlights don't work right. The weird part is when I turn on my headlights the turn signals switch on(but they don't flash or blink they just stay on). Plus when this problem happens my dashboard lights still work fine(always) but on my dashboard when I turn the headlights "on" the dash shows the green blinker indicators both on(not flashing just on solid) and the high-beam blue dash light turned on too, even though the high beams aren't on in anyway.

I bought a new headlight switch and that seemed to fix it. Yay a $20 fix. But now a week later I have the same problems again even worse this time in some ways. So one night I got stranded with the lights not coming on after literally just having them on. While driving they flickered for a sec to the weird high beam and turn signals both on thing. I took the dash apart that night got the switch in my hand not unplugged but just to push on the wires inspect it to see if the plug was lose but it was fine. I tried for an hour of knocking on it around it. So next morning I drive 30 miles in the city to home to work on it and lone be hold they worked again I didn't do anything. All on there own . They still give trouble though.

How can I find the lose wire that's causing this or what else could this be?? I can't open my dash up all the way to get to all the wiring because my roll cage is blocking it from coming out! Smh... Help please. I can't use my 50" lightbar in the city when the headlights flucker out like this
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Old Aug 22, 2015 | 12:31 AM
  #2  
Firestorm500's Avatar
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Check for bad/corroded grounds in the wiring behind the headlights.

Run new auxiliary grounds if need be.

My turn signal sockets and wiring gave me fits on my '87.
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Old Aug 22, 2015 | 02:17 AM
  #3  
cliffy's Avatar
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My '95 had a really dirty plug to the front lights underneath the air filter box, this is a known weak link too.
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Old Aug 22, 2015 | 08:57 AM
  #4  
cruiser54's Avatar
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From: Prescott, Az
Year: 1990
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Engine: 4.0
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Originally Posted by cliffy
My '95 had a really dirty plug to the front lights underneath the air filter box, this is a known weak link too.
This one:
Attached Thumbnails Headlight switch isn't working. Help!-10-pin-lighting-connector.jpg   Headlight switch isn't working. Help!-10-pin-connector.jpg  
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Old Aug 22, 2015 | 02:05 PM
  #5  
BayArea93xj's Avatar
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From: Sunnyvale Ca
Year: 1993
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Thanks everyone. The more ideas I get the better! And I will start to check all these suggestions now.
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Old Dec 13, 2015 | 07:30 PM
  #6  
Kippster's Avatar
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Default Same problem

Originally Posted by BayArea93xj
93 xj sport second hand.
I started having problems where sometimes my headlights don't work right. The weird part is when I turn on my headlights the turn signals switch on(but they don't flash or blink they just stay on). Plus when this problem happens my dashboard lights still work fine(always) but on my dashboard when I turn the headlights "on" the dash shows the green blinker indicators both on(not flashing just on solid) and the high-beam blue dash light turned on too, even though the high beams aren't on in anyway.

I bought a new headlight switch and that seemed to fix it. Yay a $20 fix. But now a week later I have the same problems again even worse this time in some ways. So one night I got stranded with the lights not coming on after literally just having them on. While driving they flickered for a sec to the weird high beam and turn signals both on thing. I took the dash apart that night got the switch in my hand not unplugged but just to push on the wires inspect it to see if the plug was lose but it was fine. I tried for an hour of knocking on it around it. So next morning I drive 30 miles in the city to home to work on it and lone be hold they worked again I didn't do anything. All on there own . They still give trouble though.

How can I find the lose wire that's causing this or what else could this be?? I can't open my dash up all the way to get to all the wiring because my roll cage is blocking it from coming out! Smh... Help please. I can't use my 50" lightbar in the city when the headlights flucker out like this
Had this same issue with my '96. Started intermittently about once a month for a few minutes. Now its more often than not. Any solution as of yet? Experiencing the same indicator lights when the headlights go out also.
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Old Apr 19, 2016 | 09:55 AM
  #7  
Seth Walker's Avatar
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Default Computer must relearn idle settings

You have to keep the engine at an easy idle, or drive it if you feel confident working both pedals at the same time( I wouldn't suggest this in winter conditiond). In my experience it takes anywhere from 15 min to 30 min before the computer relearns the correct idle settings. Annoying, very! A tad riduculous this is even possible, yes! Ae Jeep Grand Cherokee's an electrical nightmate, definitely! For reference... I'm currently sitting in my jeep with my foot on accelerater
At just over 1,000 rpms in a 2002 grand cherokee ltd. 4.7l v8 h.o.
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Old Apr 19, 2016 | 08:59 PM
  #8  
Waynerd's Avatar
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From: North canaan Connecticut
Year: 01, 99, 98, 98,98
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Engine: 4.0
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Maybe the multi function switch. Not sure how similar the 93 is to the 97-01 but I broke one once and only had high beams unless I got it in just the right position. Have one removed in one of my xjs right now and the headlights won't work with it disconnected. The multifunction switch is on the column, part of the lever for high/low signals.
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Old Jun 11, 2016 | 10:43 AM
  #9  
alfman's Avatar
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Year: 1987
Model: Cherokee
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Originally Posted by Kippster
Had this same issue with my '96. Started intermittently about once a month for a few minutes. Now its more often than not. Any solution as of yet? Experiencing the same indicator lights when the headlights go out also.
Check the grounds behind the headlights. If turn indicator on dash is illuminated you have a bad ground to the turn signal on that side in the front. The sockets themselves are a piece of crap and if you can replace them with ford or gm sockets. Take your turn signal housing to an auto parts store and match one to fit, they are pretty much all the same notch spread.
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