4 Wheel Drive/SUVs/Jeep Headlamps

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Expert: - 9/29/2004


Question
I've got a 1995 Jeep, LTD SE model and have been having problems with the headlamps, initially I thought it was due to water being in my headlamp, but i've now changed these.

The problem is that when I turn the headlamps on all I get are sidelights, despite pulling the headlamp switch out for main lights. If I use the stearing column I can get main beams but if I don't use this it is only side lights.

My dealer ship of couse want it in for a diagnosis which inevitably means a few hundred £ to find the problem. If its something we can sort our selvexs I'd prefer this route for obvious financial reason. I'm just stumped as to what it can be. The switch seems to work fine and we did wonder if it was the headlamp relay. Any ideas?

Answer
Sarah,

You can test the relay, by running a wire from the battery to the positive side of the relay. I would suspect the headlamp switch itself.  I would suggest that you purchase a repair manual for the Jeep.  A Chilton's or a Hayne's manual would be a better buy, as they can be purchased at most auto parts stores for $20.  They have a lot of information on basic trouble shooting, and repairs, including electrical diagrams, along with wiring color codes.  These manuals are designed for a year or range of years for specific vehicles, and are invaluable if you are planning on doing any repairs, or maintenance yourself.  To trace out the wiring, you may need to purchase a cheap voltmeter, or test light also.

Carl  

4 Wheel Drive/SUVs

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Carl Brandt

Expertise

Will discuss suspensions, lifts, lockers along with tire suggestions. Trail ratings and possible requirements needed for specific type of trails. Safety equipment and what you should carry with you. Certified off-road instructor. I am not a mechanic, and 4-Wheeling is a hobby, so if I can't answer a technical question it is due to my mechanical knowledge being related to vehicles that I have owned, or have worked on. I do not have manuals on all vehicles.

Experience

40 plus years of 4 wheeling in a variety of vehicles. At the present time, my major off-road rig is a 94 Jeep Wrangler with a spring over and a 1 1/2" suspension lift. This gives me a total lift of 7" or so. I have lockers front and rear. I have removed the track bars, and sway bar for maximum articulation. I am running a stock 2.5 ltr 4 cylinder with a Jacobs ignition along with a cold air high flow filter. It has 4.56:1 gears with a Dodge NV4500 transmission along with a 3.8:1 Atlas II transfer case. This gives me a final ratio of 105:1 in low gear/low range. Other vehicles I own, are a 96 Ford F-250 with a 6" lift, posi rear end, 36" Hummer tires, 5 speed with a fuel injected 460 ci engine, an 87 Samurai with an 8" lift, Ford 9" rear end with a spool, Chevy Dana 44 front end with an electric locker, 5.88 gears, 16% reduction in high range and a 6.5:1 low range with 35" Baja Claws, and a stock 2003 Grand Cherokee Overland. Trails I have run are the Rubicon (10 times), Dusey Ershim, Fordyce Creek trail, McGrew trail, several trails in Moab, Utah along with local monthly runs.

Organizations
Lost Coast 4x4's Cal 4-Wheel Corva UFWDA Blue Ribbon Coalition

Education/Credentials
Certified off-road instructor - Certificates in engineering/electronics

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