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Stock XJ Cherokee Tech. All XJ Non-modified/stock questions go hereXJ (84-01)
All OEM related XJ specific tech. Examples, no start, general maintenance or anything that's stock.
Hello everyone. I have one headlight that's out in my '99 XJ, so I'll be tacklin that tomorrow, will check the fuses, make sure I have power to the socket, etc. I also have one of those new headlight harnesses sitting in my tool box, figured I need it eventually and am thinking of installing it tomorrow since I'll be pokin around in there anyway, and replacing the bulbs since I'll have at least one out to test, or both out if installing the new harness.
Questions...how are these aftermarket harnesses REALLY with the two big relays on them. Do they last? Are they junk? Do they really work and make the headlights brighter?
Next, what would be a good choice for new headlight bulbs? I want to keep it simple, I don't need to go to LED or anything like that. I heard Sylvania SilverStars have a short life span so...is there anything decent out there you all are having luck with? Brighter than stock and lasts a long time?
What say you all ?
Hello everyone. I have one headlight that's out in my '99 XJ, so I'll be tacklin that tomorrow, will check the fuses, make sure I have power to the socket, etc. I also have one of those new headlight harnesses sitting in my tool box, figured I need it eventually and am thinking of installing it tomorrow since I'll be pokin around in there anyway, and replacing the bulbs since I'll have at least one out to test, or both out if installing the new harness.
Questions...how are these aftermarket harnesses REALLY with the two big relays on them. Do they last? Are they junk? Do they really work and make the headlights brighter?
Next, what would be a good choice for new headlight bulbs? I want to keep it simple, I don't need to go to LED or anything like that. I heard Sylvania SilverStars have a short life span so...is there anything decent out there you all are having luck with? Brighter than stock and lasts a long time?
What say you all ?
I can't comment personally because I have not installed it yet. But I asked all the same questions. Currently have the Wagner Brightlight ones in my Jeep. Have no complaints on those so far. I bought this harness.
I don't know when I installed the Putco harness and Sylvania Silverstar sealed beam headlights in my '96. I know I replaced a relay in 2013. I've had no other issues to date. If the Silverstars have a short life span someone needs to tell my two. IF they ever do fail I'll go with something like these: https://www.ebay.com/itm/331624679148
the harness upgrade is worth the effort, hands down. i had a putco harness installed for ~4 years/100k mi before it gave me any trouble. several wires on mine corroded where the harness goes into the headlight plugs. eventually the ground broke first causing a very dim headlight. upon inspection i found the issue. i replaced the putco harness with an lmc truck harness. i coated all connections with a rubberized silicone spray (flexseal to be exact) and can say that after several months of use i think these will survive longer than 4 years.
I can't comment personally because I have not installed it yet. But I asked all the same questions. Currently have the Wagner Brightlight ones in my Jeep. Have no complaints on those so far. I bought this harness.
I installed a Putco harness 3 years ago. Also installed LED headlights. After 18-24 months started to have problems with high beams not coming on, lights not either coming on or going off, and the headlights just going off while driving. Changed out the multi use selector switch on the column, the headlight switch, both relays, removed the relay for timed light after ignition off, replaced the LED bulbs. I also spent an enormous time on making sure the wires were connected and clean grounds. At one point I plugged the LED's into the original harness and boom, they work like they are suppose to. Also, I guess, since LED's use less power, the were just as bright when they worked with the PUTCO harness. So for about a year now I have had no issues with the headlights as I removed the Putco harness and went back to the oem wiring. Hope this helps.
I just installed the Rampage H4 conversion lights from Amazon along with the wiring harness and the Hella 100/80w bulbs. I had issues at first with the old headlight socket not making a good connection to ground but I ran a new ground for it and it works great now. The lights are a big improvement over stock. I paid about $120 for everything it would have been cheaper if I used the 60/55w bulbs that came with the kit but I wanted the brighter ones and I am keeping them for spares.
Well, finally got around to taking the headlights apart and found another case of poor wiring by the previous owner. Got everything, cut, stripped, crimped, and heat shrunk and headlights are back up and running.
The biggest issue with any harness, and I've installed about 8 Putcos BTW with no issues, seems to be poor ground connections and not mounting the relays so moisture doesn't get in. And, letting the relays dangle and bounce around unsecured...........
I installed a harness that i got from a guy on here, and i wish i would have done it soooner. it was a world of difference between the factory setup and this one. I have GE Nighthawk sealed beams in there right now but i have some Hella Ecode H4s sitting here that i'll try and put in tomorrow.
I installed a harness that i got from a guy on here, and i wish i would have done it soooner. it was a world of difference between the factory setup and this one. I have GE Nighthawk sealed beams in there right now but i have some Hella Ecode H4s sitting here that i'll try and put in tomorrow.
nice find on that wiring there!
Do it! I've been VERY happy with my Hella E-codes with H4s and harness.
Regarding bulbs, I highly recommend Philips Xtreme Vision +100 if you can find them. +130 if not.
Regarding the relay harness, any harness is a must-have. Putco works, ebay is arguably better, quality-made by yourself, a forum member, or Daniel Stern is best.
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.
XJ Headlight harness and bulb choices ??
