Birty Dastards Jeep Club

Tech Forum => Workshop => Topic started by: brendjill on January 24, 2009, 06:15:26 PM

Title: spotlights not working
Post by: brendjill on January 24, 2009, 06:15:26 PM
just got my first jeep and I'm over the moon with it! It has 2 spotlights on the front and they are not working. I had one working and it would appear they work off the high beam circuit but now niether of them are working. The dealer I got the jeep from said they'd put it right but I am an impatient hit and want to see if I can get them working! Any ideas ?
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Post by: gazjeep on January 24, 2009, 06:30:52 PM
In the absense of any loose wiring, check the relay, similar problem on or TJ recently  :wink:
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Post by: brendjill on January 24, 2009, 06:36:08 PM
this is why I love nw hobbies, you learn loads. How do I check if the relays are okay?  

Where do you live mate, you've been a gent and answered all my questions so far I reckon I owe you a beer!
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Post by: Panic mechanic! on January 24, 2009, 06:40:15 PM
it all depends on how they wired them in, the lazy way is to take a feed off the high beam circuit  ( no relay bad idea) and the proper way is to use a relay.

http://www.mini2.com/galleries/data/500 ... lights.jpg (http://www.mini2.com/galleries/data/500/driving_lights.jpg)

heres a basic diagram of how they should/could be wired!
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Post by: brendjill on January 24, 2009, 06:46:08 PM
I think they've been wired off the high beams as there is no independent switch for them. I don't know any more!
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Post by: Panic mechanic! on January 24, 2009, 06:51:45 PM
where do you live? then if you look under the bonnet,you should be able to find a relay and the wiring mounted somewhere under there
 if you can't immediatley see it, look at the back of the headlamp and you will find an additional wired spliced onto the wiring , following it back should lead you to the relay.! then check every thing there is in place!
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Post by: brendjill on January 24, 2009, 07:07:16 PM
thanks for that - I've checked and had a fiddle with the relay. I got the left light working again but still no right light. There was a bit of corrosion on the metal and I cleaned it as best I could, will that make a difference or do you reckon the relay is knacked ?

I'm in Horsham, West Sussex !!
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Post by: Panic mechanic! on January 24, 2009, 07:19:03 PM
nope probably the wire to the other light is loose or corroded/broken, you will need to trace it across the front of the jeep to the other headlamp.
mind you it could just be the bulb gone!
if the one lamp works it means the relay is ok
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Post by: brendjill on January 24, 2009, 08:09:30 PM
the wires seem to go behind a plate covering the back of the light! I'll check more tomorrow when I can see better!

Thanks for your help
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Post by: Panic mechanic! on January 24, 2009, 09:50:39 PM
not a problem and the plate is probably the bulb cover fitted to the back of the lamp
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Post by: brendjill on January 24, 2009, 10:34:43 PM
yeah,  goes behind the bulb cover and out the front along the grill ( can see the wires have a plastic tubing covering them) I think I'll leave it to the garage and drive around winking at everyone for a while
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Post by: brendjill on January 25, 2009, 12:20:50 AM
Can you change the bulbs in the spots like an ordinary light? How do I get the thing open
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Post by: joelypops on January 25, 2009, 09:40:35 AM
there will be a screw or two around the face edge somewhere, pull them out and the front and glass should pull off then just change the bulbs!  they *probably* wont be the same as normal headlight bulbs though so you will have to find ones that will fit!

Joel.
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Post by: gazjeep on January 25, 2009, 09:54:55 AM
Quote from: "brendjill"
Where do you live mate, you've been a gent and answered all my questions so far I reckon I owe you a beer!


I am no tech head at all  :oops: , just had a Cherokee & Wrangler for over 4 years & you come across most of these issues in that time.

I too was new to Jeeps & had to ask on here, so just repeating my experiences & solid info I have learned over the years from vastly more knowledgeable folks here on Birty's.

Its just nice to be able to share that info, oh, & dont be scared by any no nonsense answers folks may give, they just tell it like it is with no BS.

Have fun with your Jeep    8-)
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Post by: brendjill on January 25, 2009, 10:43:32 AM
I appreciate all the help! Hopefull someone will ask a question that I can answer!

I'm going to see if I can unscrew the spot and take a look!
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Post by: brendjill on January 25, 2009, 05:58:15 PM
I found the screw, it was on the plastic holder which supports the weight of the spot at the bottom and tightens to hold it in place. Switch the bulbs around and still only the left is working. The right one came on momentarily and then went off again. :?: The bulb is a weird looking thing and halfords don't have anything like it.  

Anyone know where I can source these types of bulbs ?
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Post by: Panic mechanic! on January 25, 2009, 06:11:02 PM
we would need to see a pic of the bulb then I am sure one of us will recognise it
It could be one of the weird types they use in the US , so it may be easier and cheaper to replace both lamps with a uk friendly type
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Post by: brendjill on January 25, 2009, 06:30:14 PM
here is the bulb and the bulb holder:

(http://http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn1/brendjill/Jeep%20Cherokee/photo.jpg)

It's defo the bulb, just switched them around and confirmed. Thanks for all your help fellas. Now I need to find a replacement, will this work:


http://www.worcesterautoelectrical.com/ ... tion=-NaN- (http://www.worcesterautoelectrical.com/image.php?image=http://www.worcesterautoelectrical.com/cdata/35372/img/35372_1421140.jpg&sCaption=-NaN-)[/img]
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Post by: Panic mechanic! on January 25, 2009, 07:20:06 PM
thats defo a weird one, you could just find the same shape /wattage bulb ( looks a 55 watt) and solder it in to replace the original one but remember to clean the glass and keep your hands off of it when you fit it!
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Post by: brendjill on January 25, 2009, 07:29:57 PM
do you think the one in the link will work !!
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Post by: Panic mechanic! on January 25, 2009, 08:21:19 PM
it could be worth a try.where do you live as it may be able to find someone close who can help you
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Post by: brendjill on January 25, 2009, 08:37:09 PM
I live in Horsham, West Sussex.

Don't suppose you know anyone who lives close that fancies helping me change the rear springs do you ??   :-D
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Post by: Panic mechanic! on January 25, 2009, 09:02:25 PM
no one that i can think of but if you were up in the midlands i would have offered my help as I aint doing much, having been made redundant! lol
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Post by: brendjill on January 25, 2009, 09:05:59 PM
Quote from: "Panic mechanic!"
no one that i can think of but if you were up in the midlands i would have offered my help as I aint doing much, having been made redundant! lol


you're a gent mate, sorry to hear about your job !!
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Post by: brendjill on January 25, 2009, 10:41:34 PM
I found these and reckon they are right for the job, they all look the same size (measurement and 12v) but the wattage is different - 55w, 100w & 130W:

http://www.consumabulbs.com/files/bdet.php?id=80 (http://www.consumabulbs.com/files/bdet.php?id=80)

http://www.consumabulbs.com/files/bdet.php?id=247 (http://www.consumabulbs.com/files/bdet.php?id=247)

http://www.consumabulbs.com/files/bdet.php?id=86 (http://www.consumabulbs.com/files/bdet.php?id=86)

The current ones are 55w, would I benefit from putting higher wattage bulbs in ??
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Post by: MOCAJ on January 25, 2009, 10:46:34 PM
the wiring may not take it  :wink:
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Post by: brendjill on January 25, 2009, 10:50:28 PM
is it worth trying ??


 :shock:
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Post by: MOCAJ on January 25, 2009, 10:54:12 PM
i would stick to the 55's  :wink:

if the wiring is rated for that, a higher wattage will get it too hot, then more probs as you have to uprate it and maybe the switch/relay as well
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Post by: Bishops Finger on January 25, 2009, 10:56:52 PM
Yup..
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Post by: brendjill on January 25, 2009, 10:58:58 PM
damn, I wanted so UFO power !!
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Post by: Bishops Finger on January 25, 2009, 11:05:16 PM
Rock Bottom/Doctor Doctor/Natural thing spring to mind as examples of UFO power IMHO... 8-)
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Post by: brendjill on January 25, 2009, 11:08:17 PM
end of the day I'm just chuffed I'll have the spots working  !!

appreciate all the help with what I realise now was a very simple fix
Title: UFO
Post by: wildwood on January 25, 2009, 11:10:31 PM
Nice to know they are still remembered.
Did a vid for them back in '92 Mogg and Way are ace guys, like a drink but shouldn't.
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Post by: Bishops Finger on January 25, 2009, 11:26:25 PM
Yeees....met them when Tonka was guitarist........No Place to Run Tour???


Misplaced genious (sp)
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Post by: brendjill on January 26, 2009, 12:05:16 PM
these say they draw the same power as 55w, what do you guys think?

http://www.bulbupgrades.co.uk/h2/xenon- ... lbs-h2.htm (http://www.bulbupgrades.co.uk/h2/xenon-superwhite-bulbs-h2.htm)
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Post by: mack on January 26, 2009, 01:20:26 PM
Upgrade bulbs like that are usually good for a straight swap, do both of them though. How much extra light they put out seems to vary though, I've used ones that made no noticeable difference.
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Post by: brendjill on January 26, 2009, 01:44:27 PM
will do them both, they'll defo be brighter than what they are now !


should look cool, will post a pic !
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Post by: brendjill on January 29, 2009, 02:24:45 PM
and there was light - thanks for alll the help fellas !!

(http://http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn1/brendjill/Jeep%20Cherokee/DSCF3805.jpg)

(http://http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn1/brendjill/Jeep%20Cherokee/DSCF3806.jpg)

(http://http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn1/brendjill/Jeep%20Cherokee/DSCF3807.jpg)

(http://http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn1/brendjill/Jeep%20Cherokee/DSCF3808.jpg)
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Post by: mack on January 29, 2009, 05:30:34 PM
Look good, nice bright white light.   8-)




And Snap




(http://http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r116/johnmack_photos/Jeep/d435_3.jpg)


Same car, except I've not got round to fitting spots, yet.
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Post by: brendjill on January 29, 2009, 05:43:56 PM
nice Jeep bro !!