Dimmer switch problem?
 

You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
something else?
Thanks.
Mark.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

I had this same thing happen in a motorhome with a Ford Chassis.
There is a thermal switch within the switch that prevents overload on
the wiring, I would replace the switch, much easier than trying to
repair
it.

Kevin in Iowa
99XJ

TrailMarker wrote:
> You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> something else?
> Thanks.
> Mark.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

I had this same thing happen in a motorhome with a Ford Chassis.
There is a thermal switch within the switch that prevents overload on
the wiring, I would replace the switch, much easier than trying to
repair
it.

Kevin in Iowa
99XJ

TrailMarker wrote:
> You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> something else?
> Thanks.
> Mark.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

I had this same thing happen in a motorhome with a Ford Chassis.
There is a thermal switch within the switch that prevents overload on
the wiring, I would replace the switch, much easier than trying to
repair
it.

Kevin in Iowa
99XJ

TrailMarker wrote:
> You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> something else?
> Thanks.
> Mark.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

The aftermarket dimmer switches are total garbage. The pricks don't
last me 2 years. I have gone through 3 since 2000 and the last one up
and quit on me last summer at 1:00 AM or so on the start of a 3000 mile
trip with a cop inspecting my lights while it happened! The one before
that quit when doing a light check just before another 2 week camping
trip.

I now have mine just cut right out and the wires spliced for low beams
with a button for my driving lights I use as high beams.

I am not sure I want to replace it with another junk part, I might just
go with a switched relay and a push button on the dash.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)


TrailMarker wrote:
>
> You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> something else?
> Thanks.
> Mark.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

The aftermarket dimmer switches are total garbage. The pricks don't
last me 2 years. I have gone through 3 since 2000 and the last one up
and quit on me last summer at 1:00 AM or so on the start of a 3000 mile
trip with a cop inspecting my lights while it happened! The one before
that quit when doing a light check just before another 2 week camping
trip.

I now have mine just cut right out and the wires spliced for low beams
with a button for my driving lights I use as high beams.

I am not sure I want to replace it with another junk part, I might just
go with a switched relay and a push button on the dash.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)


TrailMarker wrote:
>
> You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> something else?
> Thanks.
> Mark.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

The aftermarket dimmer switches are total garbage. The pricks don't
last me 2 years. I have gone through 3 since 2000 and the last one up
and quit on me last summer at 1:00 AM or so on the start of a 3000 mile
trip with a cop inspecting my lights while it happened! The one before
that quit when doing a light check just before another 2 week camping
trip.

I now have mine just cut right out and the wires spliced for low beams
with a button for my driving lights I use as high beams.

I am not sure I want to replace it with another junk part, I might just
go with a switched relay and a push button on the dash.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)


TrailMarker wrote:
>
> You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> something else?
> Thanks.
> Mark.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

The thermal breaker is in the headlight switch, not in the dimmer on the
CJ's.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)


Kevin in Iowa wrote:
>
> I had this same thing happen in a motorhome with a Ford Chassis.
> There is a thermal switch within the switch that prevents overload on
> the wiring, I would replace the switch, much easier than trying to
> repair
> it.
>
> Kevin in Iowa
> 99XJ
>
> TrailMarker wrote:
> > You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> > switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> > if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> > So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> > switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> > good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> > something else?
> > Thanks.
> > Mark.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

The thermal breaker is in the headlight switch, not in the dimmer on the
CJ's.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)


Kevin in Iowa wrote:
>
> I had this same thing happen in a motorhome with a Ford Chassis.
> There is a thermal switch within the switch that prevents overload on
> the wiring, I would replace the switch, much easier than trying to
> repair
> it.
>
> Kevin in Iowa
> 99XJ
>
> TrailMarker wrote:
> > You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> > switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> > if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> > So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> > switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> > good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> > something else?
> > Thanks.
> > Mark.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

The thermal breaker is in the headlight switch, not in the dimmer on the
CJ's.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)


Kevin in Iowa wrote:
>
> I had this same thing happen in a motorhome with a Ford Chassis.
> There is a thermal switch within the switch that prevents overload on
> the wiring, I would replace the switch, much easier than trying to
> repair
> it.
>
> Kevin in Iowa
> 99XJ
>
> TrailMarker wrote:
> > You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> > switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> > if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> > So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> > switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> > good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> > something else?
> > Thanks.
> > Mark.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

You can unplug the connector on that foot switch and the lights will go out
(happened to me once when I kicked it loose!). You might try cleaning the
contacts and make sure the connector is tight.

--
JimG
80' CJ-7 258 CID, HEI
4.56 Gears, Lock-Right F&R
35" BFG MT on 15x10 Centerlines
D44 Rear, D30 Front. SOA
Dana 300 w/4:1 & Currie twin sticks
Warn X8000i w/ dual batteries

00' TJ Sport 4.0L, 5sp
4.56 Gears, TrueTrac rear
33" BFG AT on 15x8 Eagle Alloys
D35 Rear, D30 Front. 3" Suspension Lift
Warn X8000i

"TrailMarker" wrote in message...
> You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> something else?
> Thanks.
> Mark.
>

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

You can unplug the connector on that foot switch and the lights will go out
(happened to me once when I kicked it loose!). You might try cleaning the
contacts and make sure the connector is tight.

--
JimG
80' CJ-7 258 CID, HEI
4.56 Gears, Lock-Right F&R
35" BFG MT on 15x10 Centerlines
D44 Rear, D30 Front. SOA
Dana 300 w/4:1 & Currie twin sticks
Warn X8000i w/ dual batteries

00' TJ Sport 4.0L, 5sp
4.56 Gears, TrueTrac rear
33" BFG AT on 15x8 Eagle Alloys
D35 Rear, D30 Front. 3" Suspension Lift
Warn X8000i

"TrailMarker" wrote in message...
> You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> something else?
> Thanks.
> Mark.
>

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

You can unplug the connector on that foot switch and the lights will go out
(happened to me once when I kicked it loose!). You might try cleaning the
contacts and make sure the connector is tight.

--
JimG
80' CJ-7 258 CID, HEI
4.56 Gears, Lock-Right F&R
35" BFG MT on 15x10 Centerlines
D44 Rear, D30 Front. SOA
Dana 300 w/4:1 & Currie twin sticks
Warn X8000i w/ dual batteries

00' TJ Sport 4.0L, 5sp
4.56 Gears, TrueTrac rear
33" BFG AT on 15x8 Eagle Alloys
D35 Rear, D30 Front. 3" Suspension Lift
Warn X8000i

"TrailMarker" wrote in message...
> You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> something else?
> Thanks.
> Mark.
>

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

My money is on the dimmer switch itself.





"TrailMarker" <carrollcaboodle@netzero.com> wrote in message
news:1163047722.018997.79180@f16g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
> You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> something else?
> Thanks.
> Mark.
>

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

My money is on the dimmer switch itself.





"TrailMarker" <carrollcaboodle@netzero.com> wrote in message
news:1163047722.018997.79180@f16g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
> You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> something else?
> Thanks.
> Mark.
>

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

My money is on the dimmer switch itself.





"TrailMarker" <carrollcaboodle@netzero.com> wrote in message
news:1163047722.018997.79180@f16g2000cwb.googlegro ups.com...
> You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> something else?
> Thanks.
> Mark.
>

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

Ditto.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Jeff Strickland wrote:
>
> My money is on the dimmer switch itself.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

Ditto.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Jeff Strickland wrote:
>
> My money is on the dimmer switch itself.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

Ditto.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Jeff Strickland wrote:
>
> My money is on the dimmer switch itself.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

L.W.(Bill) ------ III wrote:
> Ditto.
> God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>
> Jeff Strickland wrote:
> >
> > My money is on the dimmer switch itself.

The thermal switch is a self resetting circuit breaker,
no electrical problem was ever cured, by a larger fuse, in a fused
circuit!
nor a new thermal switch (which is part of the headlight switch)
it was stated in the 1st mess. that the lights went out, then came back
on.Too much load!plain and simple..find the problem.
75 CJ-5 original owner...

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

L.W.(Bill) ------ III wrote:
> Ditto.
> God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>
> Jeff Strickland wrote:
> >
> > My money is on the dimmer switch itself.

The thermal switch is a self resetting circuit breaker,
no electrical problem was ever cured, by a larger fuse, in a fused
circuit!
nor a new thermal switch (which is part of the headlight switch)
it was stated in the 1st mess. that the lights went out, then came back
on.Too much load!plain and simple..find the problem.
75 CJ-5 original owner...

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

L.W.(Bill) ------ III wrote:
> Ditto.
> God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>
> Jeff Strickland wrote:
> >
> > My money is on the dimmer switch itself.

The thermal switch is a self resetting circuit breaker,
no electrical problem was ever cured, by a larger fuse, in a fused
circuit!
nor a new thermal switch (which is part of the headlight switch)
it was stated in the 1st mess. that the lights went out, then came back
on.Too much load!plain and simple..find the problem.
75 CJ-5 original owner...

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

Gene wrote:
>
> L.W.(Bill) ------ III wrote:
> > Ditto.
> > God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
> > mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
> >
> > Jeff Strickland wrote:
> > >
> > > My money is on the dimmer switch itself.
>
> The thermal switch is a self resetting circuit breaker,
> no electrical problem was ever cured, by a larger fuse, in a fused
> circuit!
> nor a new thermal switch (which is part of the headlight switch)
> it was stated in the 1st mess. that the lights went out, then came back
> on.Too much load!plain and simple..find the problem.
> 75 CJ-5 original owner...

The dimmer switch is the problem.

If it was the thermal breaker, the lights would continue to flash on and
off. Been there, more than once. This wouldn't 'only' happen while he
was hitting the dimmer switch.

Mine go bad 'exactly' as he describes.

'Real' easy to test, just put on the highbeams and watch. If the
breaker is going, it will start flashing for sure.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

Gene wrote:
>
> L.W.(Bill) ------ III wrote:
> > Ditto.
> > God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
> > mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
> >
> > Jeff Strickland wrote:
> > >
> > > My money is on the dimmer switch itself.
>
> The thermal switch is a self resetting circuit breaker,
> no electrical problem was ever cured, by a larger fuse, in a fused
> circuit!
> nor a new thermal switch (which is part of the headlight switch)
> it was stated in the 1st mess. that the lights went out, then came back
> on.Too much load!plain and simple..find the problem.
> 75 CJ-5 original owner...

The dimmer switch is the problem.

If it was the thermal breaker, the lights would continue to flash on and
off. Been there, more than once. This wouldn't 'only' happen while he
was hitting the dimmer switch.

Mine go bad 'exactly' as he describes.

'Real' easy to test, just put on the highbeams and watch. If the
breaker is going, it will start flashing for sure.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

Gene wrote:
>
> L.W.(Bill) ------ III wrote:
> > Ditto.
> > God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
> > mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
> >
> > Jeff Strickland wrote:
> > >
> > > My money is on the dimmer switch itself.
>
> The thermal switch is a self resetting circuit breaker,
> no electrical problem was ever cured, by a larger fuse, in a fused
> circuit!
> nor a new thermal switch (which is part of the headlight switch)
> it was stated in the 1st mess. that the lights went out, then came back
> on.Too much load!plain and simple..find the problem.
> 75 CJ-5 original owner...

The dimmer switch is the problem.

If it was the thermal breaker, the lights would continue to flash on and
off. Been there, more than once. This wouldn't 'only' happen while he
was hitting the dimmer switch.

Mine go bad 'exactly' as he describes.

'Real' easy to test, just put on the highbeams and watch. If the
breaker is going, it will start flashing for sure.

Mike
86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
(More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

I remember the feeling well.

You've got corrosion at the dimmer switch, either at the connector or
within the switch itself. I've had it happen on my `79 CJ5 a couple of
times. I let mine go for too long once and had a little smokey fire going
where the harness meets the connector -- a little scary at highway speeds.

The switch is easy to replace: two screws, perhaps driven into plastic
blocks set in the floor on yours, and a 3-wire harness connector.
Examine the connector carefully, clean/replace/rebuild as needed.
Wirebrushing away corrosion is only a stopgap fix because the rust comes
back now that the plating is gone. Pack the connector full of bulb grease
when you reassemble to slow the decay down. If you take the wires out of
the connector be sure to label them so you can put them back the right way
after lunch.

Because aftermarket electrical parts can be crappy, as Mike notes, buy the
best you can and figure on replacing the thing every couple of years.



On Wed, 8 Nov 2006, TrailMarker wrote:

> You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> something else?
> Thanks.
> Mark.
>
>

--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

I remember the feeling well.

You've got corrosion at the dimmer switch, either at the connector or
within the switch itself. I've had it happen on my `79 CJ5 a couple of
times. I let mine go for too long once and had a little smokey fire going
where the harness meets the connector -- a little scary at highway speeds.

The switch is easy to replace: two screws, perhaps driven into plastic
blocks set in the floor on yours, and a 3-wire harness connector.
Examine the connector carefully, clean/replace/rebuild as needed.
Wirebrushing away corrosion is only a stopgap fix because the rust comes
back now that the plating is gone. Pack the connector full of bulb grease
when you reassemble to slow the decay down. If you take the wires out of
the connector be sure to label them so you can put them back the right way
after lunch.

Because aftermarket electrical parts can be crappy, as Mike notes, buy the
best you can and figure on replacing the thing every couple of years.



On Wed, 8 Nov 2006, TrailMarker wrote:

> You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> something else?
> Thanks.
> Mark.
>
>

--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

I remember the feeling well.

You've got corrosion at the dimmer switch, either at the connector or
within the switch itself. I've had it happen on my `79 CJ5 a couple of
times. I let mine go for too long once and had a little smokey fire going
where the harness meets the connector -- a little scary at highway speeds.

The switch is easy to replace: two screws, perhaps driven into plastic
blocks set in the floor on yours, and a 3-wire harness connector.
Examine the connector carefully, clean/replace/rebuild as needed.
Wirebrushing away corrosion is only a stopgap fix because the rust comes
back now that the plating is gone. Pack the connector full of bulb grease
when you reassemble to slow the decay down. If you take the wires out of
the connector be sure to label them so you can put them back the right way
after lunch.

Because aftermarket electrical parts can be crappy, as Mike notes, buy the
best you can and figure on replacing the thing every couple of years.



On Wed, 8 Nov 2006, TrailMarker wrote:

> You know, when you're riding around after dark and you hit the dimmer
> switch to make the high beams come on, and lights just go out... even
> if only for a second or so... it can shake your nerves up a bit.
> So what would make an '85 CJ-7 act this way? Dirty/bad/corroded dimmer
> switch? Does anyone have experience with this? Is a switch cleaning a
> good starting point or would you recommend replacing it? Could it be
> something else?
> Thanks.
> Mark.
>
>

--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

(Failure to follow posting direction repaired. Standard charge:
two-fifty.)

Yes, the headlight breaker is thermal actuated and is self resetting.

Yes, no electrical short is cured by higher-rated over-current devices.

No, replacing a thermal breaker can cure an electrical problem if the
problem is the breaker itself. Breakers can age out and become "soft".

The OP stated that the headlights went out briefly when he switched from
low to high beams. This is a symptom of a bad dimmer switch and is a
common problem in CJs.

An overload on the head lamp breaker will cause it to cycle continuously
while overloaded, not blink once only when switching from low to high.

Yes, his problem is simple, but you misinterpreted the symptoms for
something more complex.


On Fri, 10 Nov 2006, Gene wrote:

> The thermal switch is a self resetting circuit breaker,
> no electrical problem was ever cured, by a larger fuse, in a fused
> circuit!
> nor a new thermal switch (which is part of the headlight switch)
> it was stated in the 1st mess. that the lights went out, then came back
> on.Too much load!plain and simple..find the problem.
> 75 CJ-5 original owner...
>

> L.W.(Bill) ------ III wrote:
>> Ditto.
>> God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
>> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>>
>> Jeff Strickland wrote:
>>>
>>> My money is on the dimmer switch itself.
>
>

--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

(Failure to follow posting direction repaired. Standard charge:
two-fifty.)

Yes, the headlight breaker is thermal actuated and is self resetting.

Yes, no electrical short is cured by higher-rated over-current devices.

No, replacing a thermal breaker can cure an electrical problem if the
problem is the breaker itself. Breakers can age out and become "soft".

The OP stated that the headlights went out briefly when he switched from
low to high beams. This is a symptom of a bad dimmer switch and is a
common problem in CJs.

An overload on the head lamp breaker will cause it to cycle continuously
while overloaded, not blink once only when switching from low to high.

Yes, his problem is simple, but you misinterpreted the symptoms for
something more complex.


On Fri, 10 Nov 2006, Gene wrote:

> The thermal switch is a self resetting circuit breaker,
> no electrical problem was ever cured, by a larger fuse, in a fused
> circuit!
> nor a new thermal switch (which is part of the headlight switch)
> it was stated in the 1st mess. that the lights went out, then came back
> on.Too much load!plain and simple..find the problem.
> 75 CJ-5 original owner...
>

> L.W.(Bill) ------ III wrote:
>> Ditto.
>> God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
>> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>>
>> Jeff Strickland wrote:
>>>
>>> My money is on the dimmer switch itself.
>
>

--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

(Failure to follow posting direction repaired. Standard charge:
two-fifty.)

Yes, the headlight breaker is thermal actuated and is self resetting.

Yes, no electrical short is cured by higher-rated over-current devices.

No, replacing a thermal breaker can cure an electrical problem if the
problem is the breaker itself. Breakers can age out and become "soft".

The OP stated that the headlights went out briefly when he switched from
low to high beams. This is a symptom of a bad dimmer switch and is a
common problem in CJs.

An overload on the head lamp breaker will cause it to cycle continuously
while overloaded, not blink once only when switching from low to high.

Yes, his problem is simple, but you misinterpreted the symptoms for
something more complex.


On Fri, 10 Nov 2006, Gene wrote:

> The thermal switch is a self resetting circuit breaker,
> no electrical problem was ever cured, by a larger fuse, in a fused
> circuit!
> nor a new thermal switch (which is part of the headlight switch)
> it was stated in the 1st mess. that the lights went out, then came back
> on.Too much load!plain and simple..find the problem.
> 75 CJ-5 original owner...
>

> L.W.(Bill) ------ III wrote:
>> Ditto.
>> God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
>> mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/
>>
>> Jeff Strickland wrote:
>>>
>>> My money is on the dimmer switch itself.
>
>

--
"I defer to your plainly more vivid memories of topless women with
whips....r"
R. H. Draney recalls AFU in the Good Old Days.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

Lee Ayrton wrote:
> I remember the feeling well.
>
> You've got corrosion at the dimmer switch, either at the connector or
> within the switch itself. I've had it happen on my `79 CJ5 a couple
> of times. I let mine go for too long once and had a little smokey
> fire going where the harness meets the connector -- a little scary at
> highway speeds.
> The switch is easy to replace: two screws, perhaps driven into plastic
> blocks set in the floor on yours, and a 3-wire harness connector.
> Examine the connector carefully, clean/replace/rebuild as needed.
> Wirebrushing away corrosion is only a stopgap fix because the rust
> comes back now that the plating is gone. Pack the connector full of
> bulb grease when you reassemble to slow the decay down. If you take
> the wires out of the connector be sure to label them so you can put
> them back the right way after lunch.
>
> Because aftermarket electrical parts can be crappy, as Mike notes,
> buy the best you can and figure on replacing the thing every couple
> of years.

I got tired of that damn switch on my C-10 Chevy and replaced it
with a dash mounted switch.

It's just a simple two way switch (SPDT) and can easily be
replaced by a 120vac paddle switch from RadioShack. Just get
an amperage greater than the fuse rating. :)

Your looking for one that has ON-ON without a center off
and three tabs on the back.

--
DougW

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

Lee Ayrton wrote:
> I remember the feeling well.
>
> You've got corrosion at the dimmer switch, either at the connector or
> within the switch itself. I've had it happen on my `79 CJ5 a couple
> of times. I let mine go for too long once and had a little smokey
> fire going where the harness meets the connector -- a little scary at
> highway speeds.
> The switch is easy to replace: two screws, perhaps driven into plastic
> blocks set in the floor on yours, and a 3-wire harness connector.
> Examine the connector carefully, clean/replace/rebuild as needed.
> Wirebrushing away corrosion is only a stopgap fix because the rust
> comes back now that the plating is gone. Pack the connector full of
> bulb grease when you reassemble to slow the decay down. If you take
> the wires out of the connector be sure to label them so you can put
> them back the right way after lunch.
>
> Because aftermarket electrical parts can be crappy, as Mike notes,
> buy the best you can and figure on replacing the thing every couple
> of years.

I got tired of that damn switch on my C-10 Chevy and replaced it
with a dash mounted switch.

It's just a simple two way switch (SPDT) and can easily be
replaced by a 120vac paddle switch from RadioShack. Just get
an amperage greater than the fuse rating. :)

Your looking for one that has ON-ON without a center off
and three tabs on the back.

--
DougW

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

Lee Ayrton wrote:
> I remember the feeling well.
>
> You've got corrosion at the dimmer switch, either at the connector or
> within the switch itself. I've had it happen on my `79 CJ5 a couple
> of times. I let mine go for too long once and had a little smokey
> fire going where the harness meets the connector -- a little scary at
> highway speeds.
> The switch is easy to replace: two screws, perhaps driven into plastic
> blocks set in the floor on yours, and a 3-wire harness connector.
> Examine the connector carefully, clean/replace/rebuild as needed.
> Wirebrushing away corrosion is only a stopgap fix because the rust
> comes back now that the plating is gone. Pack the connector full of
> bulb grease when you reassemble to slow the decay down. If you take
> the wires out of the connector be sure to label them so you can put
> them back the right way after lunch.
>
> Because aftermarket electrical parts can be crappy, as Mike notes,
> buy the best you can and figure on replacing the thing every couple
> of years.

I got tired of that damn switch on my C-10 Chevy and replaced it
with a dash mounted switch.

It's just a simple two way switch (SPDT) and can easily be
replaced by a 120vac paddle switch from RadioShack. Just get
an amperage greater than the fuse rating. :)

Your looking for one that has ON-ON without a center off
and three tabs on the back.

--
DougW

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

Exactly. I've gone threw a floor switch about ever hundred thousand
miles in my Bronco, something must rotate in that switch that begins to
rotate slower and slower, until the light don't come back on.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Mike Romain wrote:
>
> The dimmer switch is the problem.
>
> If it was the thermal breaker, the lights would continue to flash on and
> off. Been there, more than once. This wouldn't 'only' happen while he
> was hitting the dimmer switch.
>
> Mine go bad 'exactly' as he describes.
>
> 'Real' easy to test, just put on the highbeams and watch. If the
> breaker is going, it will start flashing for sure.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

Exactly. I've gone threw a floor switch about ever hundred thousand
miles in my Bronco, something must rotate in that switch that begins to
rotate slower and slower, until the light don't come back on.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Mike Romain wrote:
>
> The dimmer switch is the problem.
>
> If it was the thermal breaker, the lights would continue to flash on and
> off. Been there, more than once. This wouldn't 'only' happen while he
> was hitting the dimmer switch.
>
> Mine go bad 'exactly' as he describes.
>
> 'Real' easy to test, just put on the highbeams and watch. If the
> breaker is going, it will start flashing for sure.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

Exactly. I've gone threw a floor switch about ever hundred thousand
miles in my Bronco, something must rotate in that switch that begins to
rotate slower and slower, until the light don't come back on.
God Bless America, Bill O|||||||O
mailto:-------------------- http://www.----------.com/

Mike Romain wrote:
>
> The dimmer switch is the problem.
>
> If it was the thermal breaker, the lights would continue to flash on and
> off. Been there, more than once. This wouldn't 'only' happen while he
> was hitting the dimmer switch.
>
> Mine go bad 'exactly' as he describes.
>
> 'Real' easy to test, just put on the highbeams and watch. If the
> breaker is going, it will start flashing for sure.
>
> Mike
> 86/00 CJ7 Laredo, 33x9.5 BFG Muds, 'glass nose to tail in '00
> 88 Cherokee 235 BFG AT's
> Canadian Off Road Trips Photos: Non members can still view!
> Jan/06 http://www.imagestation.com/album/pi...?id=2115147590
> (More Off Road album links at bottom of the view page)

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

L.W.(Bill) ------ III wrote:
> Exactly. I've gone threw a floor switch about ever hundred
> thousand miles in my Bronco, something must rotate in that switch
> that begins to rotate slower and slower, until the light don't come

The guts of that switch are almost exactly like those in a ballpoint
pen. Each time you press it turns and eventually the whole thing
wears out.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

L.W.(Bill) ------ III wrote:
> Exactly. I've gone threw a floor switch about ever hundred
> thousand miles in my Bronco, something must rotate in that switch
> that begins to rotate slower and slower, until the light don't come

The guts of that switch are almost exactly like those in a ballpoint
pen. Each time you press it turns and eventually the whole thing
wears out.

Re: Dimmer switch problem?
 

L.W.(Bill) ------ III wrote:
> Exactly. I've gone threw a floor switch about ever hundred
> thousand miles in my Bronco, something must rotate in that switch
> that begins to rotate slower and slower, until the light don't come

The guts of that switch are almost exactly like those in a ballpoint
pen. Each time you press it turns and eventually the whole thing
wears out.