Where did my lights go!!!!

[porkchop]

Well it is never ending I guess. The last couple of days I have been working some very late hours and driving home when it is dark out. Well the problem is that after driving for awhile when I stop at a light, all my lights will start to flicker and then they go off. If I wiggle the light knob it helps for a second but then it starts all over again. As soon as the light turns green I can drive for about 200-300 feet with the lights flickering and then they come back on with no problems the rest of the way home. What is up with that?

[Gladi8r]

I would suspect the alt belt or the alt itself. Seems that when you are running at higher rpm's they are fine but when slowing down or idling they go out. maybe the belt is loose or stretched?? :confused:

[mrtazwrench]

you might want to try a new light switch, it has an internal circut breaker for the head light circut that gets weak when it gets old, i've had this happen to a lot of old fords, and on my 68 charger(no new switch avable used did the trick), i think napa may have new ones yet for fsj.

[woodybeone]

Do you have an alternator/volt guage ? What is it reading at idle under load and at speed under load ? Could be a combination failing alternator or loose wire/bad connection and/or a bad headlight switch.

[joe]

Bryant, if wiggling the switch makes a diff I'd bet on the switch. Prolly a worn/poor connection in the switch and at idle there isn't much juice but at speed the alt is putting out enough to bridge the gap. Ya might also pull and clean and maybe replace the floor dimmer switch too. It can be a trouble spot and they're only $5 or so for a new one. The headlight switch is a pretty generic one and should be avail at any parts store.

[Stolen76]

I agree with the connection. Intermittent problems are usually in a wire or connection. Parts failures are permanent. Check you connections at the switch and at the dimmer. Clean the terminals and fill with dielectric grease.

[GaWd]

Let me put my vote in for bad alt/connection at alt/belt.

If at idle your lights are weak,a nd then after taking off they're fine, I think it's the alt. probably more like it's slipping, or the belt is bad.

Why don't you try not fiddling with the light switch to see if it isn't the light switch.

My only other guess would be a connection problem, and when you're idling it's rough enough to make it a problem. Once off-idle, your motor smoothes out and it doesn't vibrate enough to cause trouble.

Sam

[Banks]

Bryant,gotta vote for headlight switch [mine did the same thing-kinda scary!]Its a GM style switch,and are know to go out,especialy if you have put newer halogen style lamps in.It seems Jeep engineers at the time just "squeaked by" on the load rating on most aspects of the electrical system. Do a new switch and the relay upgrade,inexpensive and WELL worth it. Marc :cool:

[porkchop]

Thanks for all the ideas. I just put in a new floor dimmer about three weeks ago. I went out last night and turned the lights on and tapped the light switch, only my head lights went out but my dash lights stayed on :confused: Then when I played around with the dimmer switch the head lights would go on and off and the dash lights were good to go. Now when this happens while driving all my lkights go off. I am thinking light switch myself.

[Banks]

If you pull the switch, you'll usually see where the terminal is melted/burned.The relay takes the load off the switch[and the factory wiring harness]and you will have brighter lights to boot! Marc :cool:

[ap90c]

mine did same thing replaced headlight switch and floor switch.problem fixed.good luck

[sailingjeep]

My lights won't come on until I release the parking brake. smile.gif I think it is a deal with the floor dimmer, because sometimes it needs a stomp, when releasing the brake doesn't do the trick. Is that floor switch something I can get at any ole' parts store?