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.

Low beams dont work high beams do

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 13, 2018 | 11:15 AM
  #1  
bagelluvr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4L
Default Low beams dont work high beams do

My son’s 1996 Jeep Cherokee now has a problem with the low beams not working but the high beams do. I have replaced the dimmer switch less than a year ago so I do not think it is that. There is Voltage to the high beam contacts but not the low beams. The multifunction switch on the steering column does not “click” to keep the high beams on when it used to keep them on before. My assumption is that the multifunction switch powers both lights so this could be the reason why both low beams don’t work but both high beams do. I do not want to through new parts at the old Jeep so I am trying to see if anyone else had this problem and what resolved it. Thanks in advance for the info.
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2018 | 06:53 AM
  #2  
BillyBoy's Avatar
CF Veteran
 
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,126
Likes: 30
From: Detroit, Michigan
Year: 1998
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Have u changed out a lightbulb yet to eliminate that?
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2018 | 08:32 AM
  #3  
tinytrax78's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 822
Likes: 4
From: orrville ohio
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Default

Check bulbs first this happened to me , one blows out then the other gets a surge of power and it too blows out , I kno it sounds crazy but pull the bulbs and power them up to verify if they are still good or have blown out
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2018 | 11:42 AM
  #4  
bagelluvr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4L
Default

Bulbs are good no voltage at the left headlight connector. I am going to check the connector under the airbox for current and corrosion and possibly replace the mulltifunction switch (turn signal) and hope for the best.
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2018 | 06:26 PM
  #5  
robinz's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 60
Likes: 1
From: Edmonton, Alberta
Model: Cherokee
Default

I had a similiar problem many years ago with my Canadian 1990 RENIX. It was the day-time running light module. I think the US introduced that around the same time as your model year.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2018 | 07:35 PM
  #6  
Pointer's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: WI
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 HO
Exclamation

Originally Posted by bagelluvr
Bulbs are good no voltage at the left headlight connector. I am going to check the connector under the airbox for current and corrosion and possibly replace the mulltifunction switch (turn signal) and hope for the best.
Did this work out Bagelluvr? I have the exact same problem now - with the brights not staying on when I pull the stick forward and the low beams not working.

Thanks,

Point
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2018 | 09:52 PM
  #7  
Canadiantech's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Edmonton Alberta
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.o
Default

The wiring that they used for the headlights are a known issue, its undersized so it puts lots of stress on the headlight switch, the first time that my xj had a headlight issue i had the Drl and switch fail at the same time when i upgraded the headlights. Well my switch just failed again after less then 6 months, the best solution is to get the wiring upgrade kit that turns the switch into a signal instead of powering the lights. As a bonus the lights will be much brighter and you won't burn out the switch.
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2018 | 10:09 PM
  #8  
Pointer's Avatar
Newbie
 
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: WI
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0 HO
Default

Originally Posted by Canadiantech
The wiring that they used for the headlights are a known issue, its undersized so it puts lots of stress on the headlight switch, the first time that my xj had a headlight issue i had the Drl and switch fail at the same time when i upgraded the headlights. Well my switch just failed again after less then 6 months, the best solution is to get the wiring upgrade kit that turns the switch into a signal instead of powering the lights. As a bonus the lights will be much brighter and you won't burn out the switch.
Do you mean a harness conversion for like H4 lights? Do you have a link to the system you bought?
Reply
Old Nov 7, 2018 | 10:25 PM
  #9  
Canadiantech's Avatar
Junior Member
 
Joined: Jul 2018
Posts: 86
Likes: 2
From: Edmonton Alberta
Year: 1992
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.o
Default

yes thats what i was referring to, i ended up building my own, but i have seen them cheep on Amazon
Amazon Amazon
Reply
Old Nov 8, 2018 | 06:34 PM
  #10  
bagelluvr's Avatar
Thread Starter
Newbie
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
From: NC
Year: 2004
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4L
Default

In my case I ran out of things to check and time so I brought it to a local shop. I gave them a list of things I checked out already which was great because I checked off everything they said they would have checked on my dime! So they went right after checking the wires in the column and that was where my issue was. a cut or frayed wire. Labor was only 2 hours which would have been much more if I would have just brought it there and didnt tell them what I already.
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
xman2yman
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
6
May 15, 2012 06:34 PM
shooting sticks
Stock Grand Cherokee Tech. All ZJ/WJ/WK Non-modified/stock questions go here!
4
Dec 13, 2011 01:28 PM
94XJCherokee
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
3
Sep 8, 2010 12:54 PM
peternaputi
Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go here
1
Feb 21, 2010 10:43 PM

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:00 AM.