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MyWifesJeep 12-10-2009 01:14 PM

Headlights Not Turning On
Hey everyone,

My wife has a 97 Jeep TJ and I'm not real Jeep savvy but have taken over the maintenance side of things and have just a normal very basic and probably easy problem.

Her headlights aren't turning on. I believe her parking lights are, but neither the high nor low beams are turning on via the switch/dimmer. If any of this isn't the case, I'll edit or update the post/reply.

I've read about shortages, switch problems, and fuse/relay swaps. I'll probably start checking the fuses/relays, are they located outside of the glove box? Basically any location out of the ordinary I should be looking at, and to what first?

Dash lights and all come on, just seems like it's the headlamps aren't going on. Right now just driving with the fogs on so it's not real safe, and I'd like to get her back up and going. Any suggestions/advice would be great, and apologies if the question is elementary in nature.

imowt 02-02-2010 06:05 PM

Not to sound ridiculous, but have you tried a new switch?
I had a similar problem I was not getting any lower or regular head lights, but my uppers were fine, but only through the high beam switch on the column. I replaced the switch, but it still didn't work. I was stuck..I wound up just returning that one and getting a new one, and that worked. I am not sure if I burnt it out or if it was a faulty switch, but it worked. Make sure the ground is good on the switch. I wound up taking part of the dash apart. removed the ground scre and did some light sanding of the metal dash where the switch is grounded too. I suppose it becomes moist and cause a bad ground.

daanbc 02-02-2010 07:07 PM

I had this problem. Turned out to be frayed wire coverings near the connection to the bulb. You couldn't see it with all the grease/dirt. But when you take the switch off the back of the bulb and follow the wires down, you'll notice it. Hope this helps.

Jerry Bransford 02-02-2010 07:14 PM

If neither headlight turns on, odds are it's nothing more than a bad headlight switch. Mine (I have a '97 too) did that and it was just a bad headlight switch.

The good news is that a new headlight switch is inexpensive to buy and very easily installed. A couple screws to release the switch, unplug its electrical connector, and install the new one in the reverse order. I replaced mine in about 15 minutes from start to finish. :)

