So, my 96 XJ has low beams that seem to work as they please. Headlights are good, new headlight switch, new dimmer switch. In a bout of frustration I put the old dimmer switch back in for poops and giggles. ANd much to my amazement, the dang low beams came on. NOW, that was with the dumb thing just kind of dangling. SO I put it alllllll back together, and I'll be a SOB, no low beams. AGAIN... So my though leads to probably a bad wire in the connector. WOuldn't you know it? You can't buy a new connector plug for the dimmer switch. My thought as of now is this. To heck with it. But also, installing a floor mounted dimmer switch and be done with the dimmer at the column and hopefully circumvent this issue. My questions, is this a reasonable thought? Can I take power for the headlights from the headlight switch, assuming there's a headlight specific power wire at the switch, running that to the dimmer at the floor, then hooking up the two, I believe, grounds to the dimmer. Thus the headlights would be on with the headlight switch being turned on and high/low beams being run at the floor. And not losing power to the marker lights and turn signals by taking power from the wire at the headlight switch. From what I understand the jeep headlights are one power wire and two grounds.

If this is realistic and not a wicked hassel, please let me know. And, what are the wires I need to look for to do such a thing. What color, where to find them, yada yada.

Thanks in advance.

 

I don't know about an XJ but my roommate in college put a floor dimmer in his 85 Ranger like that, after the column one broke. Worked just fine.

I need to do it to my 85 XJ, because with mine, if you are turning the wheel any at all it won't let the dimmer click over to dim, it sticks half way between and the lights go completely out, pull it again and you go back to bright. I have to dim before I enter curves or else I have to meet cars with them on bright, or none at all. The problem with mine is the switch hits the back of the steering wheel, need a shorter switch handle I guess.

 

Locate & replace the defective spade terminal(s).


Get one of these either store bought or homebrew your choice


Clean up this connector by the airbox while your fooling around with it anyways