Headlamp Switch

[Comanche_Fanatic]

Lately my interior and dash lights have been screwing up, including the radio and cig lighter. Whenever the dash lights go out the radio and cig lighters go out too. I had suspected power runs through the headlamp switch so i pulled the dash and cluster off to get a good look at the switch. I couldn't remove the switch cause theres not nuf room for my hand. So i tried cleaning it with electrical cleaner. After a while my dash lights came back hut stays at full brightness at any setting when i turn the knob.

 

Should i go ahead and order new headlamp switch? Of so how would i replace it?

[Minuit]

The headlight switch and the stock headlight wiring in general is known to be a fire hazard. If you're having problems with the switch I'd be safe and order a (good) new one. It's reasonably easy to get to, you just have to pull the plastic lower dash piece off. It's held on by a flathead bolt (you'll be able to see it with the switch in the "headlight" position) To get to that bolt you have to pull the knob out (released by a little button on the bottom of the switch. There's a small hole in the metal that you can get your fingers into). Loosen that bolt and the switch is out. :thumbsup:

[Jeep Driver]

$12 at Advance.

 

There is a button on the underside that you push to relieve the pull/knob.........it simply pulls out.

 

Behind that is a nut........>IIRC

[gogmorgo]

Yeah, I'd advise replacing the switch, as well as doing a headlight harness upgrade. Why? My headlight switch set itself on fire a couple weeks ago.

 

To replace the switch, you need to remove the lower dash panel. It goes all the way across to the passenger side, and is attached with screws along the top. It's also got the parking brake release handle mounted to it, but I was able to pull it back far enough without unbolting the handle (it's just two bolts, but mine were a little too snug for the mood I was in).

There's a metal support for the dash right under the headlight switch. In the metal support, there's an access hole. Inside this hole, you should be able to feel a button. If you pull the switch knob out all the way (like you're turning on the headlights) then you can push the button and pull out the switch knob. There's a big fat nut around where the headlight knob used to be, and it unscrews with the biggest flat-blade screwdriver you've got. I actually used a small prybar to unscrew it as I didn't have a big enough screwdriver.

Once you've got that off, your headlight switch is really only held in by the wiring harness, which isn't the easiest thing to get off. I found it helpful to pull off the dash bezel and instrument cluster to get better access to it, although it's most likely unnecessary and may be more work if you have a pre-1990 model (i.e. without digital speedometer).

 

Installing the new switch is the reverse of removal, just keep in mind that the hole in the dash is keyed so the switch only goes in "properly" in one place.

[GirsMJ86]

I'd also suggest doing this as a future project if you've not done so already. Will brighten up your lights and take most the load off the headlight switch. This is something every MJ/XJ owner should do if ya ask me.

 

http://www.eautoworks.com/Putco-H4--9003-Heavy-Duty-Headlight-Upgrade-Wiring-Harness-PRD7540.aspx

 

Can find more info about it around here as quite a few members have done it and provided pics and such.

[Usamedic]

Check the rear taillights. When I got my truck the left rear light had an 1156 in instead of an 1157. This caused the same exact issue your having