Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: Brynjaminjones on June 26, 2013, 02:40:50 PM

Title: Strange problem - driver's side high beam not working
Post by: Brynjaminjones on June 26, 2013, 02:40:50 PM
I noticed that my driver's side high beam wasn't working so replaced the bulb, but it's made no difference.

I've checked the fuses in the kick panel, and they look fine, and I've also tried cleaning where the bulb plugs in, but still nothing - just a low beam.

Any ideas what could cause this??

Also, could someone verify what number fuse the right-hand side high beam is on a '98 XJ - I've so far found two different locations from different websites (my owner's manual is for a '96).


Title: Re: Strange problem - driver's side high beam not working
Post by: MOCAJ on June 26, 2013, 07:36:05 PM
have you got voltage at the lamp socket, check with a multimeter.

It is not unknown for some of these uprated lamps to fry the wiring or lamp holder  :icon_winkle:
Title: Re: Strange problem - driver's side high beam not working
Post by: Brynjaminjones on June 27, 2013, 01:18:31 AM
I'm not sure - I'll have to see if we have a multimeter and check it.

I'm pretty sure it's only ever had the standard bulbs in it, but that's not to say it's not a possibility that the wiring/holder has been fried.

I've dismantled and done my best to clean the contacts in the holder, and I've wiggled it about plenty, but can't seem to spot any problems with it, unless of course the wire is broken in the sleeve.

This really is puzzling me though - it's the first Jeep problem I've ever had that doesn't seem to have been experienced by hundreds of people on the US forums!  :017:
Title: Re: Strange problem - driver's side high beam not working
Post by: Brynjaminjones on September 02, 2013, 07:57:29 PM
Good evening all.
Not surprisingly, the XJ failed its MOT today due to its non-working high-beam, so I fairly desperately need to get it sorted! The switch is fine, and there current both sides of the fuse, but I'm assuming no current at the socket. Before taking it to a sparky, does anyone have any ideas, or might it need a new loom??


Cheers!
Title: Re: Strange problem - driver's side high beam not working
Post by: JamesH on September 02, 2013, 08:48:15 PM
Sounds like a broken wire somewhere then, I don't know the exact routing and where to look though.
Title: Re: Strange problem - driver's side high beam not working
Post by: bigjeepzj on September 02, 2013, 08:49:23 PM
Good chance the lamp connector is knackered.
have you tried sparing contact cleaner on the connector 
you won't need a new loom
could be just a broken wire or duff connector.
there not bigges
Title: Re: Strange problem - driver's side high beam not working
Post by: Mike Pavelin on September 02, 2013, 10:26:32 PM
There's a multi plug behind the left hand headlamp that connects the nosecone harness. it rots and burns out.
Title: Re: Strange problem - driver's side high beam not working
Post by: Brynjaminjones on September 02, 2013, 11:06:16 PM

Thanks guys, much appreciated!

Good chance the lamp connector is knackered.
have you tried sparing contact cleaner on the connector 
you won't need a new loom
could be just a broken wire or duff connector.
there not bigges

I disassembled and cleaned the connector ages ago and it made no difference, but I'll try to look at everything else!

Mike, that must be the C106 connector?? I didn't realise from the wiring diagram that there was only one of those (I though there would be one for each headlight), so I was looking for it for ages behind the right headlamp yesterday! :lol_hitting: I'll inspect that tomorrow 8-)
Title: Re: Strange problem - driver's side high beam not working
Post by: YT on September 03, 2013, 02:20:43 PM
If your stuck for a quick fix for MOT use the LHS high beam feed to power a relay, then feed both high beams from the relay. :)
Title: Re: Strange problem - driver's side high beam not working
Post by: Brynjaminjones on September 03, 2013, 08:43:47 PM
Cheers guys, but I've got it fixed now! It turns out that the wire had snapped right where it goes into the connector, but it was somehow staying in its place, meaning that it was completely missed multiple times, by myself and the mechanic!
I spotted it by chance whilst fiddling with something else, and now I've got everything working as it should  :icon_super: :icon_super:
Title: Re: Strange problem - driver's side high beam not working
Post by: Lornaben on September 03, 2013, 08:55:54 PM
Well done Bryn  :icon_super:
Title: Re: Strange problem - driver's side high beam not working
Post by: gazjeep on September 03, 2013, 09:21:35 PM
Well done youth  :003:
Title: Re: Strange problem - driver's side high beam not working
Post by: YT on September 03, 2013, 10:24:33 PM
Nice one. :)
Title: Re: Strange problem - driver's side high beam not working
Post by: Mike2909 on September 03, 2013, 10:50:33 PM
And now you see it is not a Jeep problem :003: but a broken wire problem. Jeeps do not have problems  :098: they just need solutions