Flickering lights??

[Allen78J20]

Ive had this problem before but this is different! last time it was a bad ground on one of the bulbs, but all of the lights worked. This time the headlight switch is clicking and only the front lights are flickering along with the cluster, the rear lights are out, but I still have brake, tuen signal and back up lights with the headlights off. Here is what I have done so far:
Replaced headlight switch. When I did this I noticed that a white wire that leads from the headlight switch to the fuse cluster was hot. Checked fuse, was good, replaced anyways, nothing changed.

Traced white wire from the fuse cluster on the engine bay side to the front lights i.e side markers and turn. These wires were not hot and appeared ok. Removed headlights and front turn and side markers to inspect.

Pulled off fuse block from engine bay side and nothing looks out of the ordinary.

Checked all fuses with test light, all are good, except for the fuse for the panel lights, when you put the probe on that one it flickers with the headlights.

Removed rear lights and checked for grounds, all appear ok except they are not on. Do have turn signal and brake lights even with the headlights on but nothing else. Interior lights flicker somewhat with the headlights on but not completely bad.

Any thoughts and ideas are appreciated!!

Thanks!

[Wagonforever]

Gremlins.......... [img]tongue.gif[/img]

I'd check your fusable links may have on badly corroded and on it's way out.

[ January 07, 2005, 01:31 AM: Message edited by: Wagonforever ]

[goldenoldie]

Sounds like it might be time for this upgrade from the technical library, http://www.tworock.com/mjd/jeep/wiring/wiring.html This takes the load off the headlight switch and draws the heavy load from the battery.

[J4GRAND]

Check the high/low beam switch on the floorboard. I had one going bad which lead to all sorts of weird lighting issues.

[ January 07, 2005, 08:38 AM: Message edited by: J4GRAND ]

[Allen78J20]

Great link to the upgrade! Since that is from a 69 and mine does not have those "lugs" do I just skip that step?

I'll try the dimmer switch and let you guys know. The weather has not been good here(50,000 people out of power) so maybe something got wet and it grounding out somewhere. The truck was a rolling jeepsickle for a few days. Thanks for the advice, keep em coming!

[HOOT]

Allen, Do you still have the old switch? If so compare it with the new switch. There are 2 different switches that look very similar to one another.Check all the contacts for the plug. When I put a new switch in the 79 J the parts store let me take both styles home. With the wrong switch in it the lights did some funky things like yours is doing. With the correct switch all was well again in Jeepville.

[imported_phillip]

I had the same problem with my jeep SO I checked everything And I Had found nothing so I went to check The High/low beam swithch on the floor And It Just had a bad ground between It and the floorboard, So I would pull yours off and clean that area It might Work

[amc75matador]

Check the plug going into the switch. If the white wire is hot, that is the first thing I would look at, Looking at the plug from the headlight switch end, see if the terminal for the white wire looks burned and if the plastic around it is somewhat melted. If so, at the very least replace the terminal on the white wire, but better yet replace the whole plug. To make do you can tighten the terminals on the plug with small needle nose pliers or a small flat screw driver.

[Allen78J20]

Ok I tried the dimmer switch to see if it had a good ground....it screws into the floorboard with screws into plastic, tried to ground it and nothing changed. This dimmer switch was replaced a year ago. Compared the 2 switches and both are identical down to the numbers next to each pin. Will try the switch wiring also might pick up another dimmer switch along with the upgrade stuff, try the dimmer switch and if there is no change do the upgrade and go from there.

[ January 09, 2005, 09:02 PM: Message edited by: Allen ]

[Allen78J20]

Ok I replaced the dimmer switch, no change. So I go get all of the parts to do the relay. Im checking the volts at the headlight switch harness, decide to connect the switch, it turns on the lights and does not flicker. Look back, I have rear lights, move the switch to install it, lights go out. Move the switch again, lights on. Hmmmmm. Pull switch off, crimp , ends just a touch, reinstall. Turn on lights, all are on, no flicker. Start truck, let run with lights on, all ok. Go figure. Must of been the threat of the upgrade....

Thanks again everybody! Might do the upgrade later on!

[Allen78J20]

Since I have all of the parts might as well do the upgrade! On the write up his is a 69 wag, and mine is a 78. For those that have done the upgrade on the later wags/trucks did you have to do anything different?