VERY dim headlights
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Newbie
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
Model: Cherokee
VERY dim headlights
Just bought a 94 Grand Cherokee. Needs some work but the first problem is the headlights. Very, very dim. Can hardly see the road.
Thought it might be the alternator. Used to be we could disconnect the battery and the engine would stop if the alternator was bad. It kept running when I did this.
What should I be checking?
Thought it might be the alternator. Used to be we could disconnect the battery and the engine would stop if the alternator was bad. It kept running when I did this.
What should I be checking?
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 0
From: EAFB, SD
Year: 1994
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
buddy of mine told me how to fix that
Originally Posted by Flyordie
Dude, pull out one of your headlights... flick the switch and test the voltage at the pigtails.
If its below 12.3V with highbeams, ur wiring is crap. I pull 14.2V with my highbeams on after the rewire and got an extra 100-120ft in distance and 40% better light area along the side sweep. I can see deer n **** so much easier. I also don't even use the 55w running lights I did use prior to the upgrade.
At bare minimum it should be 13.7V as thats what halogens are rated at for full light output.
If its below 12.3V with highbeams, ur wiring is crap. I pull 14.2V with my highbeams on after the rewire and got an extra 100-120ft in distance and 40% better light area along the side sweep. I can see deer n **** so much easier. I also don't even use the 55w running lights I did use prior to the upgrade.
At bare minimum it should be 13.7V as thats what halogens are rated at for full light output.
CF Veteran
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 0
From: West Bloomfield,MI
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L, CAI, Edelbrock Breather, Optima Yellowtop
Do the headlights have a yellow oxidation on them? Get a headlight restore kit and it should help a little in the lens area.
As for wiring, is there any corrosion on the connections for the lamps? How about the wires? if so, clean the corrosion off with a wire brush and retest.
Also, try replacing the bulbs, over time a light bulb's filament will get weak, producing very dim light.
Another thing to try is a resistance test, there should be little to no ohm's resistance.
As for wiring, is there any corrosion on the connections for the lamps? How about the wires? if so, clean the corrosion off with a wire brush and retest.
Also, try replacing the bulbs, over time a light bulb's filament will get weak, producing very dim light.
Another thing to try is a resistance test, there should be little to no ohm's resistance.
Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 190
Likes: 1
From: South Jersey
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Do the headlights have a yellow oxidation on them? Get a headlight restore kit and it should help a little in the lens area.
As for wiring, is there any corrosion on the connections for the lamps? How about the wires? if so, clean the corrosion off with a wire brush and retest.
Also, try replacing the bulbs, over time a light bulb's filament will get weak, producing very dim light.
Another thing to try is a resistance test, there should be little to no ohm's resistance.
As for wiring, is there any corrosion on the connections for the lamps? How about the wires? if so, clean the corrosion off with a wire brush and retest.
Also, try replacing the bulbs, over time a light bulb's filament will get weak, producing very dim light.
Another thing to try is a resistance test, there should be little to no ohm's resistance.
sorry for reviving an old post but I'm curious to if you fixed the issue. I just picked up a 96 XJ and have the exact same problem. A buddy has a 96 too and has the same issue. I haven't done any troubleshooting yet and will check the voltage sometime this week.
My battery reads between 12 and 14 but normally 14.
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 362
Likes: 2
From: LI, NY
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
hey man,
sorry for reviving an old post but I'm curious to if you fixed the issue. I just picked up a 96 XJ and have the exact same problem. A buddy has a 96 too and has the same issue. I haven't done any troubleshooting yet and will check the voltage sometime this week.
My battery reads between 12 and 14 but normally 14.
sorry for reviving an old post but I'm curious to if you fixed the issue. I just picked up a 96 XJ and have the exact same problem. A buddy has a 96 too and has the same issue. I haven't done any troubleshooting yet and will check the voltage sometime this week.
My battery reads between 12 and 14 but normally 14.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/hea...inners-182360/
CF Veteran
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 3,353
Likes: 1
From: Missoula, MT
Year: 1999
Model: Cherokee
Engine: Golen 4.6 Stroker, AFE Headers, 62mm TB, 24 LB Injectors, Brown Dog kit, HF Cat, 3" Exhaust
You probably need to upgrade the headlight harness. Its a weak point on these trucks. Heres a fairly recent thread with a how to.
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/hea...inners-182360/
https://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/hea...inners-182360/
Seasoned Member
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 362
Likes: 2
From: LI, NY
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I just realized that the op has a zj. Why is it in xj tech? Anyway, I dont believe theres a harness problem with the zjs, probably just oxidized plastic housings. But for xjs the harness is the fix.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 37
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
Don't overlook the grounds. There is a ground strap attached to the frame by the battery. I found my ground in bad shape when I installed my putco harness. Might not have needed it.
CF Veteran
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 47,923
Likes: 38
From: Broward County Fl.
Year: 1989 xj sport 2dr
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 12 hole bosch Injectors
Youu still needed it you now have a more direct power supply going to your headlight causing them to be brighter.
Old fart with a wrench
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 14,398
Likes: 740
From: Manlius, east of Syracuse, NY
Year: 2000 XJ Sport & WJ Laredo
Model: Grand Cherokee (WJ)
Engine: 4.0L
A lot of times headlights go dim or brown is because of grounds, either at the headlight harness or just the connectors. Why do you think they sell the bulb connectors separately? ANY TIME you have electrical problems on an older car, check the grounds first.
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