Joined
·
24,577 Posts
Be better to replace the dimmer switch and install relays. for the headlights
headlights..intermittent power???
2472
20
so my headlights will occasionally turn off and on. i was going to just install a toggle switch and delete the dimmer but there are 4-5 wires coming out of the harness(im sure they have to do with dash lights etc.) . how can i wire them all to come on or off with a simple toggle?
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
or, never drive anywhere after dark, or get a wiring diagram from this link:
http://www.offroaders.com/tech/Jeep-Wiring-Diagrams-1976-1977-CJ.htm
if you don't have one. i'd vote for the floor dimmer switch, especially in something used primarily off road. doesn't get much simpler than replacing that switch, two screws and a trip to a parts house
http://www.offroaders.com/tech/Jeep-Wiring-Diagrams-1976-1977-CJ.htm
if you don't have one. i'd vote for the floor dimmer switch, especially in something used primarily off road. doesn't get much simpler than replacing that switch, two screws and a trip to a parts house
Joined
·
10,541 Posts
Sounds to me like you have a bad ground or a bad headlight switch. Happened in my '66 F100. the switch went bad, overheated, and shut down the lights. Once it cooled suficiently, they would come back on. Replaced my headlight switch and was good to go. Next time it does it, feel the switch, wiring, etc. BUT BE CAREFUL BECAUSE IT WILL BE VERY HOT... you WILL burn yourself if you just reach up and grab! Hope that is your problem...
Almost everytime there is a problem like yours, it is the floor switch. I had the same problem but on mine it was the plug to the floor switch.
I can't help on the extra wires. They look like the wires to the dash lights
Don't but any parts till it's been diagnoised. Try to wiggle the plug and step on the floor switch and see if the lights do crazy things.(Like flicker or turn off)
Not suggesting throwing parts at it, just giving you first hand knowledge from experience.
I have a 65 mustang that I have probably put 3 floor mounted dimmer switches on, and at least 4 or 5 on older Mack trucks with the floor mounted dimmer.
Every time, the symptom was the same. The headlights would go out and come back on intermittently. Most of the time it was from water, and/or mud and dirt making the switch go bad.
Joined
·
4,387 Posts
The orange is a power feed for the dome light and the black is the ground for the dome light. Not being used will not effect your concern.
As stated, wiggle the connector and switch on the floor to determine if it is that or the actual headlight switch on the dash. Also, checking and cleaning grounds on a CJ is never a bad thing.
thanks for the insight on the unused wires!
my engine bay has dedicated grounds for everything follwing procedure found on this site.
i have gone through all of the grounds (i can see) and greased them with dilectric grease since i do go off road quite a bit and often encounter DEEP water.
Joined
·
24,577 Posts
Maybe relocating the dimmer switch to under the dash may keep it in better shape longer.
Still Relays give you tons more light out of the stock headlights.
Still Relays give you tons more light out of the stock headlights.
Joined
·
13 Posts
I checked my dimmer and the wiring behind the light switch. Everything seems ok. I checked the wiring behind the headlight assemblies and found a problem when I had my lights on. Not sure is that is the issue as it seemed to affect only one headlight, while both were turning off intermittently on the road. I am replacing both sides to see how that works.
Joined
·
13 Posts
One more point. The power comes in from the driver's side where the light switch is. If the driver side headlight shorts, it turns off both headlights. So, by replacing the connector to the bulb, I was able to solve the intermittent power issue to the headlights.
Joined
·
24,577 Posts
That was probably the circuit breaker inside the headlight switch that was tripping all the time then when the light shorted out.
Joined
·
3,387 Posts
Joined
·
9,675 Posts
Sounds like you may have found the intermittent short that was causing it. As wired, one wire feeds both headlights.
The momentary circuit breaker is a safety feature, no fuses in the headlights. Any flashing at the headlight indicates a short.
They work better with relays but you also should be putting in momentary circuit breakers on those new power circuits. Some put fuses in, but then you should have 2 relays so your 5c fuse is not going to cause a crash.
The momentary circuit breaker is a safety feature, no fuses in the headlights. Any flashing at the headlight indicates a short.
They work better with relays but you also should be putting in momentary circuit breakers on those new power circuits. Some put fuses in, but then you should have 2 relays so your 5c fuse is not going to cause a crash.
Joined
·
13 Posts
Nope, didn't find the short, or more specifically, I found one short. It is still going off intermittently, but not as often.
1. Can you recommend a relay to put in and where to put it?
2. Should I replace the light switch? Could that be the issue?
Maybe the short at the headlight caused a failure somewhere else?
1 - 20 of 21 Posts
