I had previous issues with my Dimmer switch built into the headlight and foglight assembly.

So today, i went to the JY and picked up another headlight switch. And... unfortunately the same problem. The dash lights randomly flicker and typically stay very dim, hard to see even, anytime i have the lights on.

Is this a common issue, and should i just get another and keep trying? or just give up on it?

Thanks

 

This is the dash mounted switch, yes?

Yes it's a very common issue but sometimes it can be cured by taking it apart and cleaning it. I've never had one apart myself, but it should be a wire-wound resister with a wiper contact that moves across the windings. Dirt and oxidation build up on the coil and sliding contact and make for a poor connection. Sometimes there's a crack in the solder on one of the connections to the sliding contact. If it gets brighter when you press on the ****, it's the slider contact.

 

Yes, the dash mounted switch.

I have a strong electrical and printed circuit board background.
So with the first switch, I opened the case and inspected/repaired a couple of poor solder joints, but unfortunatley this didnt fix anything. If i could just by a replacement dimmer slide switch, I could just replace that part with ease.

This was some of the info i had hoped to find on the Full Service Manual, available at www.pacificcoastmanuals.com
Still worth it though. These manuals are amazing for the DIYer.

I guess with the extra unit i have i may remove the dimmer switch from the headlight switch unit, and try to dissassemble, clean, and reinstall.

I'll take some pics.


Btw, this may not happen immediately, so dont wait up. Give me a couple of weeks.

 

I've owned several Chevy and GMC pickups in my life, and those too have problems with their dash dimmer switches, however they are round and just behind the headlight switch ****. You adjust them by turning the ****. On every one that I had problems with, I just soldered a jumper around the resistor and ran my dash lights full bright. "After all, It's just a truck!"

 

THIS ^^^ is a great idea. I will probably still try to fix the spare i have, and if that doesnt work, i'll solder a jumper.

Thanks Dave

 

Yeah, on the ZJ, you might lose the "interior lights off" function. Chevy didn't have that, just a "lights on" click. My newest truck was an 89.

 

As said.. very common on the 96-98 ZJ's. I sent mine to an electronics familiar buddy with a good soldering iron.. worked flawlessly after.

Theres a large thread at JeepForum on this repair.. bet you could find the how to using Google.

 

Here ya go..

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f13/r...-heavy-702703/

 

Awesome. Thanks.

I had previously tried to spot failed solders and repair. Had already planned to just resolder all points. See where that gets me.

I'll let you all know.