Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: Brynjaminjones on January 05, 2016, 12:05:04 AM

Title: ZJ Headlights gone!
Post by: Brynjaminjones on January 05, 2016, 12:05:04 AM: I'm looking for reasonably urgent help at the moment!

I replaced a headlamp bulb in the ZJ today as the left low beam wasn't working. Changed it in the car park and drove home - all fine.

I've just got in it to head out, turned the lights on and now neither headlight is coming on at all!

Sidelights fine, dash lights fine, fog lights fine, but no main or low beam on either side!

The only thing I did at all differently today was use the headlamp delay timer to make sure they were still working as I went in the house, which they were.

I could do with help as the XJ isn't legally on the road yet, and I've got to get Emily from work at midnight every night this week!

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Title: Re: ZJ Headlights gone!
Post by: scrw on January 05, 2016, 07:01:40 AM: first off check the fuses
Title: Re: ZJ Headlights gone!
Post by: Brynjaminjones on January 05, 2016, 10:50:02 AM: I read online that there isn't a fuse for the headlights on a ZJ, but could be mistaken.

Anyway, in typical Jeep fashion after giving the main beam stalk a good wiggle it's working again like nothing ever happened!
Sodding Jeep likes to be a nuisance, but it is a relief!

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Title: Re: ZJ Headlights gone!
Post by: Sooty Si on January 05, 2016, 12:18:21 PM: Headlamp stalk? Mine has a knob on the dashboard along with the dimmer switch and headlamp height adjuster...
Title: Re: ZJ Headlights gone!
Post by: Brynjaminjones on January 05, 2016, 04:44:48 PM: I was meaning the indicator stalk that has the switch for full beam :001:

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Title: Re: ZJ Headlights gone!
Post by: Brynjaminjones on January 12, 2016, 07:45:34 PM: I could do with more help on this now...

The same bulb as before (passenger low beam) went again.
I replaced the bulb, and the blown one had bubbled the glass, looking like a glass blister on the bulb.

The new bulb works fine currently, but after driving away I realised a backlight in the gauge cluster had now gone out. Two miles later and it's back again.

It seems that there's an underlying issue somewhere - does anyone more electrically minded than myself have any ideas?

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Title: Re: ZJ Headlights gone!
Post by: Panic mechanic! on January 12, 2016, 07:51:43 PM: you are not touching the surface of the bulb with bare hands are you as this will create a hotspot and burn them out a lot quicker.
Title: Re: ZJ Headlights gone!
Post by: Brynjaminjones on January 13, 2016, 09:44:38 AM: Hmmmm, that sounds very much like something I might do

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Title: Re: ZJ Headlights gone!
Post by: Panic mechanic! on January 13, 2016, 04:44:36 PM: basic mistake, keep them clean and free from grease from your fingers! if you do touch the glass, clean it off with something like white spirit or partners nail polish remover
Title: Re: ZJ Headlights gone!
Post by: bgbazz on January 13, 2016, 04:50:41 PM: I use a very light pair of cotton gloves when I'm replacing bulbs...both my Pug 406s were notorious for blowing headlight bulbs, so I got plenty of practice! :banghead: