caged

ok so before anyone tells me to use the search function, i tried, but it's broken like an ikea computer desk.

now, my headlights obviously don't work, hence the title.
when i pull the headlight switch, the buzzer sounds, both signal indicators light up on the dash, as does the high beam indicator.
i also have no signals and the front marker lights only work sometimes, and they tend to stay on after the switch is pushed back in.

i have working tail lights and brake lights.

i assume it is the headlight switch, but just want to make sure before i try taking it apart.

it is a 90 cherokee, auto trans with an am/fm stereo.
this jeep has daytime running lights (canada...)

xjsnake

Sounds like a headlight switch is a possiblity.

FYI you can search the forum through google. type your search terms then put site:cherokeeforum.com

It's more useful than the in forum search tool anyway

caged

yeah, a couple cherokeeforum links came up when i googled it, but not the same problem mine is doing.

i know i've read this exact problem happening sometime before, but never paid too close attention as it has never happened to me or anyone i know of before.

i just can't remember if they said it was the headlight switch or the daytime running light module. i'm thinking the switch, but they're a bit of a b1tch to change.

94XjSport94

Are you getting voltage at the light sockets?

highmileage

Had to change my switch out a while back. You can try pushing in the wire harness on the back of the switch and see if that brings them on. Also if one of the lights came unplugged they both might not work.

rmoore1031

Sounds like the headlight switch or thermal relay. A new electronic relay is about $13 and takes less than a minute to replace. Here are my stories on these problems :

I bought my XJ and the dash lights didn't work so I had the headlight switch replaced.

Then I did the dash light mod using blue 194 LEDs off Amazon. I took it for a test drive and my blinkers stopped working. The old thermal relay didn't like the LEDs. So I got the new electronic relay and fixed that.

I'd try the relay first since its cheaper and easier.

jmrec100

Had the same problem with my '94 Cherokee. When you pull on the column stick to flash your bright lights, do they come on? I had my light switch assembly go out at night at work. Lights wouldn't come on. Etc. I pulled on the high beam and lights came on. Used electrical tape and taped it back with the brights flashed on for the drive home, about 60 miles. That told me the headlight switch was bad. Replaced it, and back in business. Do not forget to put the ground wire back on! I did and my tail lights were all screwy. Found out because I thought my rear turn signal bulb burned out. I don't know what it did but turn signals and tail lights didn't work right. Remembered that ground wire. Couldn't remember if I put it back on? I found it dangling. Hooked it back in and everything is fine. Don't forget that ground wire if you change it.

caged

pulling on the column stick to flash my lights makes no difference.

caged

i just actually noticed, when i pull on the lever with the headlight switch off, the front markers come on as long as the lever is pulled back.
turn the headlight switch on, and the markers go out with the lever pulled back.

otherwise, haven't gotten anywhere with it yet, too busy.
gonna try the headlight switch tomorrow, if that doesn't work, i will have to try the high beam switch/lever mech.

jmrec100

Check all things like ground connections etc at the tail lights etc. I am not surprised anymore by how questionable ground connections affect the Jeeps. I started wondering about my switch when one time before they did not turn on. I pushed in and pulled out, the headlights worked.
The light switch is not too expensive. I paid less than $20 at Autozone. May be worth doing the replace and see if the problem is solved. If its the rotating, pull switch for headlights and the interior lights, it is a very complicated busy switch. Didn't think much of it until it quit that night. Lots of contacts in the switch. If any are worn, that switch can 'do' anything, make all kinds of weird connections. etc.
Otherwise, get the wiring diagram and start debugging. I really hate electrical problems.

caged

tried 2 different switches today, still nothin...

gonna pull the tail/signals to check grounds next, since i recently replaced reverse bulbs...

salad

Check the fuse positions with a multimeter yet? You should be able to see 12V coming in on the hot pin of each fuse pos. Also check the "out" side of the fuse socket for resistance to ground. Maybe check a headlight first. Any pins that read less than headlight resistance are probably ground shorts. Any with infinite resistance are of course open... Shyte grounds as mentioned

As far as DRLs on 97+ they're spliced into the main harness. A short there could eat up all the headlight power. Not sure about Renix of course but unplugging the DRL module is certainly something to try.

fmxr47

On my 96 under the air box there is the header panel connection, I had same symptoms, found corroded wires and broken ones, I eliminated the plug and soldered each connection, no issues ever since