I recently just picked up my first XJ, it has a headlight issues. it has unknown brand led lights that are very dim, but all other accessory lighting works (marker lights, running lights). I looked at the wiring and it seems adequate. It also has a bunch of light bars and they all work except the 3 on the bumper that were damaged when they hit a tree. any ideas what it could be? the headlights maybe took on to much water or should I check the harness that was repaired by the connector? I also checked the headlamp switch and it looked relatively new. I included a video and a picture, though you will get a better idea through the video.

 

CRUISER'S MOSTLY RENIX TIPS

HEADLIGHT HARNESS UPGRADE

NOVEMBER 17, 2015 SALAD 63 COMMENTS EDIT

It’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.



Ebay has the harnesses. 2 headlamp H4 with ceramic connectors is what you want. You’ll likely be warned that the harness won’t fit your Jeep. It will.

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.

 

Easy and worth it.

 

A headlight harness is always a good idea for halogen bulbs, but less important with LED headlights that don't draw as much current. I'd would start by measuring the voltage at the headlights, to see if it's the wiring or the headlights. Backprobe the connectors , checking both for voltage to the bulbs while plugged in, and that the ground is good. Also have a look at the front lighting connector in front of the air cleaner, behind the left headlight assembly. (see https://cruiser54.com/?p=35 for better picture and description)