Ugh... electrical can be a nightmare! I'd probably start by taking a voltmeter and see if you're getting power to headlights. Also check for a loose ground.
Good luck.
Good luck.
No headlights, but everything else works.
Hey Guys. I am having headlight issues with my 87 Yj. Everything worked fine. Driving home form church they flickered and then went out. Parking lights, tail lights and brake lights all work fine. I replaced the switch today and still same problem. Not sure where to go next? Just picked this up as a project I have wanted to do for 10 years. Any help would be great. I tried to check the 2 relay's under the dash but wasn't sure where the wires came from went to.
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
In the few weeks since you posted this, did you happen to find the problem? Driving home one night my yj that I bought three days earlier lost its headlights as well but the panel lights, dome lights, parking lights, and sidelights all still work. Is it really the switch problem? Or wouldn't that cause all the lights to malfunction?
Check grounds behind headlight buckets, check fuses, was the switch getting hot when they were functioning?In the few weeks since you posted this, did you happen to find the problem? Driving home one night my yj that I bought three days earlier lost its headlights as well but the panel lights, dome lights, parking lights, and sidelights all still work. Is it really the switch problem? Or wouldn't that cause all the lights to malfunction?
The headlamp switch on YJs is weak. There have been many, many posts about this.
My best suggestion is replace the switch and find a headlamp relay conversion. Search the net or this forum for headlamp relay.
You can disassemble the headlamp switch and clean the contacts and try to clean up the bi-metal circuit breaker if you like to fiddle around. If you are more practical than a tinkerer then just buy a new switch. I think they are under $30.00.
The real key to prolonged headlamp function is to install a headlamp relay conversion. It rerouts the elictricity directly to the headlamps from the battery, rather than through the switch and then on to the headlamps.
Very important is to insure good grounds at the grill panel. I picked up a measured additional 10% in headlamp voltage simply by disconnecting the grounds at the grill panel and scrapeing away the paint and cleaning the terminals, then reattaching the grounds with a new screw and dielectric grease.
Good Luck, L.M.
My best suggestion is replace the switch and find a headlamp relay conversion. Search the net or this forum for headlamp relay.
You can disassemble the headlamp switch and clean the contacts and try to clean up the bi-metal circuit breaker if you like to fiddle around. If you are more practical than a tinkerer then just buy a new switch. I think they are under $30.00.
The real key to prolonged headlamp function is to install a headlamp relay conversion. It rerouts the elictricity directly to the headlamps from the battery, rather than through the switch and then on to the headlamps.
Very important is to insure good grounds at the grill panel. I picked up a measured additional 10% in headlamp voltage simply by disconnecting the grounds at the grill panel and scrapeing away the paint and cleaning the terminals, then reattaching the grounds with a new screw and dielectric grease.
Good Luck, L.M.
1 - 5 of 5 Posts
- This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Jeep Wrangler Forum
A forum community dedicated to Jeep Wrangler owners and enthusiasts. Come join the discussion about reviews, performance, trail riding, gear, suspension, tires, classifieds, troubleshooting, maintenance, for all JL, JT, JK, TJ, YJ, and CJ models!
Full Forum Listing
Top Contributors this Month
View All
Old Dogger
704 Replies
Luckymac
330 Replies
Got it at last
260 Replies
Recommended Communities
