Ground Zero

[Lawn Cher']

In case anyone is curious as to the cause of the funny headlight & turn signal problems in Jen's XJ over Winterfest, it turned out to be a loose ground for the front lighting circuit. (Rev was right, :star: for you!) The screw is hidden underneath a big wiring harness near the PCM, which is why I didn't find it by flashlight at the Cracker Barrel in Urbana on Friday night. My '97 shop manual was a big help in tracing down the circuits.

In the relative comfort of my garage, I was able to get the lights on intermittently... then I noticed that if I pressed down on the head of the screw the headlights would get brighter. It didn't seem tight when I went to remove it, and it felt hot from the current flowing through the adjacent undersized wiring. My guess is the thermal expansion cycles and vehicle vibration caused it to loosen.

Rather than just tighten it back down, I drilled the hole out for a 1/4-20 lo-head socket cap screw from the underside of the fender. Then I clamped that beyotch down and voila, no more wierd lighting. Mark 1, ground 0.

 

[CRASH]

In case anyone is curious as to the cause of the funny headlight & turn signal problems in Jen's XJ over Winterfest, it turned out to be a loose ground for the front lighting circuit. (Rev was right, :star: for you!) The screw is hidden underneath a big wiring harness near the PCM, which is why I didn't find it by flashlight at the Cracker Barrel in Urbana on Friday night. My '97 shop manual was a big help in tracing down the circuits.

In the relative comfort of my garage, I was able to get the lights on intermittently... then I noticed that if I pressed down on the head of the screw the headlights would get brighter. It didn't seem tight when I went to remove it, and it felt hot from the current flowing through the adjacent undersized wiring. My guess is the thermal expansion cycles and vehicle vibration caused it to loosen.

Rather than just tighten it back down, I drilled the hole out for a 1/4-20 lo-head socket cap screw from the underside of the fender. Then I clamped that beyotch down and voila, no more wierd lighting. Mark 1, ground 0.

FYI, we see this a lot out here, SeanP had the same issue and I diagnosed it over the phone while looking under my wife's hood. Then I noticed hers was also loose!

CRASH

 

[PhunkXJ]

I still think you should have mounted/taped flashlights to the hood and finished driving Fri. night. :laugh3:


I'm glad you figured it out!

 

[Lawn Cher']

I still think you should have mounted/taped flashlights to the hood and finished driving Fri. night. :laugh3:

I had a big Maglite and would have tried, but I hate dealing with nosy cops.

 

[bgcntry72]

In case anyone is curious as to the cause of the funny headlight & turn signal problems in Jen's XJ over Winterfest.
My guess is the thermal expansion cycles and vehicle vibration caused it to loosen.

A: No one in their right mind gives a rat's ass about your wife's truck's lighting. You got home safe, so that marks the end of 'our' concern about your well-being.

B: Thermal expansioin cycles? Punch yourself in the face for being such a toolbag. If I caught myself saying something like 'thermal expansion cycles' I would give myself numerous paper cuts and take a bath in lemon juice.

Have a nice day, joining a 'juicer support' forum when your Juice-O-Matic clogs on a pomegranite.

 

[Lawn Cher']

Ya know Scott, if that came from anyone else I would be insulted... but I know you meant it lovingly.

 

[toryranger]

thermal expansion cycles

I know I'm a noob but what does a hardon have to do with your headlights not working?

 

[What Rd]

I know I'm a noob but what does a hardon have to do with your headlights not working?

I'm not sure, but ask CRASH. He resolved the issue by looking under what he calls his wife's "hood". Apparently, he was on the phone at the time. Lupine must be a remarkably tolerant woman!

 

[Rev Den]

Glad you got it worked out Mark.

Rev

 

[bgcntry72]

Glad you got it worked out Mark.

Rev

Glad you made it home safe Rev.

Other Rev.
:laugh2:

 

[Roxtar]

Lupine must be a remarkably tolerant woman!

That would be a given for anyone who had to screw CRASH on a semi regular basis, wouldn't it?

 

[woody431]

Question, what was this headlight problem? Mine have been acting up recently. I pull the switch, parking lamps come on, dash lights as well, but the headlights won't, after a few different tugs they will finally kick on and flicker sometimes. Is this what you were experiencing?

 

[LBEXJ]

In case anyone is curious as to the cause of the funny headlight & turn signal problems in Jen's XJ over Winterfest, it turned out to be a loose ground for the front lighting circuit. (Rev was right, :star: for you!) The screw is hidden underneath a big wiring harness near the PCM, which is why I didn't find it by flashlight at the Cracker Barrel in Urbana on Friday night. My '97 shop manual was a big help in tracing down the circuits.

This was the explaination Mark gave for the problem he was having.
Your problem sounds more like a faulty light switch ... HTH

Les

 

[Lawn Cher']

Question, what was this headlight problem? Mine have been acting up recently. I pull the switch, parking lamps come on, dash lights as well, but the headlights won't, after a few different tugs they will finally kick on and flicker sometimes. Is this what you were experiencing?

Intermittent headlight operation, very dim marker lights, quick flashing turn signals, both turn signal and high beam indicators lit up on dash. Fixed the ground and haven't had a problem since!

 

[bgcntry72]

Intermittent headlight operation, very dim marker lights, quick flashing turn signals, both turn signal and high beam indicators lit up on dash. Fixed the ground and haven't had a problem since!

Thanks for the update.
I was worried, and didn't want to head out to celebrate Drunken Irish Day without getting closure on your wife's lighting situation.
Thanks again.
:flipoff:

 

[Lawn Cher']

...why don't you just shut up yourself...