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- Jeep Cherokee XJ 1984 to 1996 Why are Headlights Flickering
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headlight flickering problem
#61
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Location: Groveland, CA
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Year: 1996 Two Door Wagoneer
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
Thanks. Didn't want to waste the time trying. I will get a Putco and figure a mod for the quad when I have it in hand. Should not be too hard, as it is just the most downstream end that needs the split. Some good wire and a set of four single beam bulb connectors ought to do it. And I always solder and shrink wrap.
BTW, not only do I like the quad looks, but it is really nice to adjust high and low beams separately. I do a lot of mountain driving at night and setting the highs a bit outward and upward than normal helps spot the deer just that much sooner.
Your advice is much appreciated. Will post an update on the project and performance when complete.
BTW, not only do I like the quad looks, but it is really nice to adjust high and low beams separately. I do a lot of mountain driving at night and setting the highs a bit outward and upward than normal helps spot the deer just that much sooner.
Your advice is much appreciated. Will post an update on the project and performance when complete.
#62
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Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Michiana
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Year: 2001
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
I made my own harness. Just didnt want to find out that the "poor quality" reviews were correct. I started with a 2.5 volt drop from the stock harness. New harness with regular automotive relays and now I have full voltage at the headlamp connectors with the lights on. I used ceramic sockets, 14/3 sjoow, weatherproof relay and socket on low beam and regular on high beam (will change to weatherproof later if needed), permaseal connectors, Hella h4 bulbs, and ARB H4 Lamp housings. Prior to this mod I could hardly tell the lights were even on with low beams in the rain. Now the low beams are much brighter than the high beams had been. I can get replacement relays at just about any auto parts store. I can swap out the street legal H4 lamps for off road ones for night wheeling in just a few minutes without overheating my harness.
fantastic mod.
Hapdad
fantastic mod.
Hapdad
Last edited by Hapdad; 10-11-2015 at 07:31 PM.
#63
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: Mountain View, CA
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Year: 96
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
I see this post is 4 yrs old, so I figure I'll check... @cruiser54 is the Putco wiring harness the brand and one you would still recommend? Your link is no longer working but I'm sure I can find em.
I've got a 96 Cherokee Sport 4x4 4.0
My lights used to fade from normal to very dim and back.... now they go out completely then come back on. I had to drive 2 hrs last night home, while holding the high beams on (if you clicked it and left them on they would too go out, but holding them on at least gave me lights)
Thanks!
I've got a 96 Cherokee Sport 4x4 4.0
My lights used to fade from normal to very dim and back.... now they go out completely then come back on. I had to drive 2 hrs last night home, while holding the high beams on (if you clicked it and left them on they would too go out, but holding them on at least gave me lights)
Thanks!
Last edited by doostica; 02-17-2019 at 12:49 PM.
#64
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Location: Mountain View, CA
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Year: 96
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
@HappyTrails I don't suppose you recall what fixed your headlight issue? My headlight switch was replaced at Jeep 3 weeks ago. I too have a 96 2 dr Sport my headlights however go off entirely and back on, non stop.
Last edited by doostica; 02-18-2019 at 01:59 PM.
#65
Putco heavy duty will work fine, although you can find other brands.
Just avoid cheap & shady stuff, you want to resolve this problem once and for all, you must rely on your headlights.Useful videos:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHql...yGa1DvyluYGood luck.
I see this post is 4 yrs old, so I figure I'll check... @cruiser54 is the Putco wiring harness the brand and one you would still recommend? Your link is no longer working but I'm sure I can find em.
I've got a 96 Cherokee Sport 4x4 4.0
My lights used to fade from normal to very dim and back.... now they go out completely then come back on. I had to drive 2 hrs last night home, while holding the high beams on (if you clicked it and left them on they would too go out, but holding them on at least gave me lights)
Thanks!
My lights used to fade from normal to very dim and back.... now they go out completely then come back on. I had to drive 2 hrs last night home, while holding the high beams on (if you clicked it and left them on they would too go out, but holding them on at least gave me lights)
Thanks!
#67
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Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sheffield, Yorkshire, UK
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Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 l6 HO
Putco or similar the way to go mine gave a few years of good service, voltage to lights was higher as a result the headlights were brighter and you didnt get the "Oh F###!!" when your lights drop out before a hairpin. Less poo in your pants is always a good idea.
I very sadly don't have my XJ anymore however it was probably the best "mod" I got, well worth the money. The design having the full current running into the cab and then back to the lights is a terrible idea!
I will also add. Never sell your XJ -will will regret it!
I very sadly don't have my XJ anymore however it was probably the best "mod" I got, well worth the money. The design having the full current running into the cab and then back to the lights is a terrible idea!
I will also add. Never sell your XJ -will will regret it!
#68
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
#69
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Join Date: May 2014
Location: Mountain View, CA
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Year: 96
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
@Jacek & @ARC 4.0 @cruiser54 Thank you all for the replies and the videos. Great help!!
any harnesses you recommend that will work for my Jeep?
#70
I see this post is 4 yrs old, so I figure I'll check... @cruiser54 is the Putco wiring harness the brand and one you would still recommend? Your link is no longer working but I'm sure I can find em.
I've got a 96 Cherokee Sport 4x4 4.0
My lights used to fade from normal to very dim and back.... now they go out completely then come back on. I had to drive 2 hrs last night home, while holding the high beams on (if you clicked it and left them on they would too go out, but holding them on at least gave me lights)
Thanks!
I've got a 96 Cherokee Sport 4x4 4.0
My lights used to fade from normal to very dim and back.... now they go out completely then come back on. I had to drive 2 hrs last night home, while holding the high beams on (if you clicked it and left them on they would too go out, but holding them on at least gave me lights)
Thanks!
#71
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Location: Mountain View, CA
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Year: 96
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0L
@cruiser54 is not an over the internet oem engineer however. He worked at Jeep for well over a decade.
@ecgleaton The headlight switch was replaced at my Chrysler Jeep dealer a month ago with an oem mopar brand switch. I can't afford to go back there again and pay another $300 only for it to not fix the problem, hence why i am here. The headlights are less than a year old. They are the standard replacement Sylvania headlights. Also, if we're here it's pretty much a certainty we've already replaced and/or ruled out the basics.
@ecgleaton The headlight switch was replaced at my Chrysler Jeep dealer a month ago with an oem mopar brand switch. I can't afford to go back there again and pay another $300 only for it to not fix the problem, hence why i am here. The headlights are less than a year old. They are the standard replacement Sylvania headlights. Also, if we're here it's pretty much a certainty we've already replaced and/or ruled out the basics.
Last edited by doostica; 02-18-2019 at 02:42 PM.
#72
doostica, you've nailed on the head, replacing light switch will not fix anything, been through it myself three times before I replaced the harness
ecgleaton has good intentions, but he quite clearly does not know what he's taking about, when dealing with old car - you must take wear & tear into consideration, which for cherokee electrical wiring is the first place to look for problems, it is undersized which makes it overloaded, so after a while it overheats and breaks, plus the connection of the headlight switch is just wrong, having all power go into the switch is just bad design, it will work for some years, but I doubt there is any aged cherokee which still drives without harness being replaced to put all power through headlights and take power off the switchyour call in the end of the day, but if you search the forum - you will find plenty of people going in circles on the same problem and replacing the switch without getting to ultimate fix until they put new harness in. Be mindful - it is not about replacement of old harness - it is mainly about re-routing the way power is delivered, so that the headlight switch does not overheat - because this is the real root cause of your problemregarding the harness recommendation - the only major thing I can think of is the length of the wiring, you do need plenty to cover the distance between the headlights in your XJ, but then again, it is not much more than in many other cars, why don't you just call the seller up? I can't think of a reason why the one you looked into would not be suitable for 1996 sport model, this where someone more knowledgeable on differences between Cherokee versions should pitch in.
#73
Ok well maybe you have a different experience than me, I apologize. In your case you would need to just consider whether you want to work step by step conservatively to more and more expensive fixes... or aim somewhere further down the line and aim more expensive/drastic first. Other people who’ve done these fixes can advise you better. My problem was personally solved with replacing the switch. Just remember your electrical basics.... test grounds, test continuity, test impedance, test voltage drop... in that order. Don’t replace anything unless you can prove it is what needs to be replaced. Good luck.
#74
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Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Prescott, Az
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
Ok well maybe you have a different experience than me, I apologize. In your case you would need to just consider whether you want to work step by step conservatively to more and more expensive fixes... or aim somewhere further down the line and aim more expensive/drastic first. Other people who’ve done these fixes can advise you better. My problem was personally solved with replacing the switch. Just remember your electrical basics.... test grounds, test continuity, test impedance, test voltage drop... in that order. Don’t replace anything unless you can prove it is what needs to be replaced. Good luck.
Experience has proven time and time again that installing the upgrade harness, which costs less than $20 and takes half hour to install fixes the issue. Even without replacing the switch!!
Headlamps shine 35% brighter also.
#75
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Join Date: Aug 2011
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Year: 1990
Model: Cherokee (XJ)
Engine: 4.0
-that one says "This doesn't fit a 1996 Jeep Cherokee Sport Utility 2-Door 4.0L 4x4"
@Jacek & @ARC 4.0 @cruiser54 Thank you all for the replies and the videos. Great help!!
any harnesses you recommend that will work for my Jeep?
@Jacek & @ARC 4.0 @cruiser54 Thank you all for the replies and the videos. Great help!!
any harnesses you recommend that will work for my Jeep?