Nine years later and this video is still helping people. I can’t believe I would have ever figured it out if I had not watched this. Yes, in theory all of the individual steps are easy to do (except actually getting the switch out and getting the new one up in there), but I never would’ve been able to figure them out if I had not found your how-to. Thank you for taking the time to make this. Now I’m going to check out your other videos to see what else I can fix on my 91 Cherokee!
Hey Scott and Exo, I`ve got a 91 Cherokee too. Do you know if there is a bulb and wire socket that snugs into place above the headlight switch that illuminates thru the headlight logo on the panel when the switch is pulled out halfway to full position?
BEWARE of the switch model. Thanks to this video I replaced my headlight switch with far less hassle than if I hadn't watched it and learned some important tips. HOWEVER (as noted in my earlier comment) the switch had 2 ground connectors instead of 1. The person at the switch manufacturer (who sounded kinda dumb) said either ground terminal would work, so I connected to just one terminal thinking it was common. My fault for not testing it before putting everything back in place. The dash lights and tail lights do not work now. I had a jumper made to connect both terminals to the ground wire, but have not taken the time, now several weeks, to do it all over again. I hope to post the results here if I don't forget. I recommend just making sure the switch you purchase is EXACTLY the same as the OEM.
Thanks to your video, I saved a lot of frustration by not trying to install the switch without removing the lower dash panel. The only thing I'll pass on to others is that I was able to pull the switch out enough to undo the clasps and pull the wire assembly off more easily than tinkering with the screwdriver through the access hole. (I tried that but just couldn't get the other side off. Under the dash was much easier, also to remove and replace the wire assembly. Also, the new switch had a different position for the ground clip and that too was too difficult to connect after installation. So I pulled the switch back out and got that done where I could move it around. Overall, though, your video really helped. Thanks.
Probably safer to do it this way as well. As i was poking the screwdriver through there trying to pop the clip something sparked and now my jeep wont start.
Watching the video and reading the comments made me try a different approach. First, I used my Drexel with cutting but to carefully cut out the plastic around the knob. I left 3/16 all around and the shaved a bit more off until I could just pull the entire switch right out. Next, I disconnected the ground wire and plug and popped out the knob and shaft. Then I scrounged a piece of sturdy black plastic from a Saab door and used my Drexel to cut a piece that fit exactly into the squarish place on the dash. Using the switch I carved a hole for the shaft fitting. Now I assembled it all again with a new switch and expoxied into the dash. I used two thin boards and the seat angle adjustment to clamp it in place. Scrapped off the lightbulb decal and glued that on. It is super solid and everything works.
Just wanted to say thanks for this video. Because of it I was able to do it myself in about an hour. Probably saved $80+ in taking it to a shop. Cheers!
Thank you this is the exact video I was looking for. Makes me sad when I see great videos like this with a lot of views and the channel still doesn't have a thousand subscribers. I'll give you a sub so you get closer!
At one point i thought i would have to do the same thing But.I eventually I had to lay in the front seat upside down and snake my arms up under and thru the dash. it probably helps to be some what on the thin side to get your arms up thru the dash and get hold off the switch.
UPDATE !!! I just finished replacing the light switch on my '96 Cherokee. I have replaced similar switches on different trucks. The switch on my jeep COULD NOT BE REPLACE FROM BELOW THE DASH. I pulled lower dash and began the process as I have done before. With the retainer nut removed there was maybe an inch of slack wiring harness allowing the switch barely an inch of movement. No way to disconnect and remove the old switch, and definitely no way to install the new switch. I started pulling down the far left idiot light panel, discovered that is riveted into place. Then went after the instrument panel. pulled instrument panel bezel, and instrument panel which also required removing trim from the steering column around ignition switch/hazard light panel. (you will need a t-20 driver, and not a t20 bit on an extension) It was barely possible to replace the switch going in through the instrument panel location. New switch had 2 grounds, old switch and harness had one. Had to fabricate wiring, you will need 2 spade female terminals and wire. Doable, but major P.I.A.
Still the only video that remotely covers this. This is one of the worst jobs to do on an XJ. If you have big hands...expect lots of bleeding. Im still trying to walk the switch out...and Im very close to getting my angle grinder lol
Thank for doing this video, it helped me greatly. I was how ever able slip the unit out the back where i could get to the little black latches easier, I have a 1996 Jeep Cherokee. Took about 45 min to an hr tops to replace, Thanks once again.
Thank you for the quick response. The part that goes into the harness is the same, just difficult for me. I'll try a diffeeent position. As for the other side with the plunger release, I'm just stumped a little. It is just the new style of the switch 50067334, just gotta figure that part out. Thank you again.
Because I did this procedure 8+ years ago 0n my 95 I tried your way thinking it might be easier, but had to resort to pulling off the top of the steering column (t-20 torx bits, the inst cluster after the dash trim & the plastic inst gauge cover, marking top of the front-unclipping gauge wiring harness by the drivers left hand. All else was phillips screws of diff types(document which go where), then u can unclip from above the 2 plastic light switch clips & plug where u can see it. 1 hour job.
Joe IV yup I had to do it this way, there was no way I was getting that whole thing unclipped and taken out the bottom, it’s a little more work this way but a lot less frustrating!
there is a ground wire on the switch at the end of switch. its best to solder a new wire onto the stud or it will keep falling off while you try to get it in place. poor design wire harness should have been longer. careful pull and extend wire harness to make it longer be careful. ive replaced mine twice already 1988
Yes, but they would go out and i would have to turn the switch off then on again to get them to come back then it started getting worse to the point that the lights would turn off more often and i would have to work the switch many times to get them to come back on.once I replaced the switch, the problem was solved and the new switch was stiffer compared to the old one.hope that helps.
This is one way to replace switch,other way which i was use is to take off tacho. If you do that way you have more space to disconnect switch connector. Anyhow god to know what options you have .
My son just got a 1993 jeep Cherokee. U pull on the knob it comes out all the way..would he have to buy another switch? It feels like when push the knob black in. It does feel like it not catching. From your film that's a lot of work. He got it from a car lot in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Tom Cartwright There's a button on the bottom of the switch. You have to hold the button down and push the knob in. The reverse order of the first step in the video. It takes some fiddling but It'll go in.
I had my light switch pop out on me and haven't ordered a replacement because I was hoping to just pop it back in. A friend told me that if I pushed the button underneath while I inserted it that it would secure it back into place but I tried that and it didn't work for me. Any thoughts? Thanks for the video BTW.
If your talking about the switch post all you should have to do is push it in until it clicks into the switch assembly. you don't have to push the button, if I remember correctly it just clicks in. but it is a little tricky it took a couple of trys to get it in and the position that the switch is in matters I can't remember but I think it had to be in the off position or something.if its not going in you may need a new switch. Good luck hope that helps.
Dash lights don't work? Fuse keep popping every time you turn your headlights on? Did you recently find a pair of wires disconnected on your back hatch and attach them thinking it was important? I had this problem the other day and couldn't figure it out, thought it was my switch going bad. For anyone else in my situation, go back and disconnect those wires, it should solve your problem.
I have the problem that when I put my lights on, the fuse # 7 is burning, which could be no lights on the dash, but everything else if it works any idea???
I replaced the radio that came with my 2001 Jeep Cherokee, and that night my brother noticed that the car lights were on. I was asleep, so he turned them off for me. Well, the next morning when I left for work, I noticed that the running lights didn't work. the headlights themselves work, but the rest of the car acts like the headlights are still off. If the switch is pulled out to just the right place, the running lights will turn on, though pulling last that point to turn on the headlights isn't possible. Any ideas what it could be? I'm going to try replacing the switch first, but suggestions or thoughts would be welcome.
Atomic Fire sounds like it's the switch. there isn't any reason replacing the radio should affect the lights.i just put in a new radio in my xj 2 weeks ago no problems with the lights.
Exocartonic Yeah. I'd read a comment that said something about causing damage to the switch from shorting the wire connected to the original radio that essentially tells it that the running lights are. So I figured that if that's what happened to me there might be some other damage caused that I should check.
Hey, was able to get the plug out but having difficulty getting it back in. Do you have any hints? Just trying ro reach up under the dash and reattaching the harness is difficult. us one more question please: My new switch has an extra "grounding spade with a resistor" Would you know which one I attach it to?
yes it can be difficult to get your hand up behind the dash.i found the best thing was to lay in the seat upside down with my head under the dash then I had a straight shot with my arms under the dash.as for the extra prong I can't speak to that my old and new switch were they same the, new one just clicked right in.that might be why your having a hard time plugging the switch in to harness maybe it's the wrong switch?
also you have to plug the switch into the harness while the switch is behind the dash there isn't enough slack in the harness wires to pull in out from behind the dash.
Jacob Shields I would check your fuses.but it is possible that it could be the switch.my headlights would just turn off while I was driving and I would have to turn the switch of and on to get them to work.
Hey i bought everything and I'm not able to get the retainer part that releases the part behind it but I'm not able to unscrew it it seems as its sucks? how would you get that retainer part off ?
Dominik of I didn't have anything but the switch behind the dash and the only thing that secured the switch to the dash was the small metal thing that screwed into the front of switch thru the dash.im not sure what plastic part you are trying to unscrew.
the small metal thing is what I am talking about sorry for the confusion, i cant swim to get that off and thank you so much for replying in a quick manner
Dominik you should be able to use a large flat head screw driver to unscrew it.but you should have not been able to remove the switch from the dash if that metal part is still on it . what year is you jeep cherokee?
My dad is giving me his 96 jeep xj. The lights on the dash don't work at all, there are no fuses blown. Does anyone think it might be the switch. Also sometimes when you go to turn the headlights off they will stay on even if the switch is pushed all the way in. Usually it is only the headlights that stay on. Also the buzzer doesn't sound when the switch is all the way in and the lights are still on.
josh101911 well I know that before I replaced my switch the headlights would just go off and I would have to turn them off and on multiple times to get them to come back on and they wouldn't stay on.so it's possible that it could be your switch but I can't say for sure a new switch is only around 20 bucks so it might be worth taking a chace on a new one.
I guess I'll try my luck with a new switch. If it's not the switch at least I'll have a new switch. Thanks for you help though mate. I appreciate it :)
Jose Alfredo Morales headlights would go out and would have to work the switch off and on to get them to come back on then they would go out again so I replaced the switch and problem was fixed.
Jose Alfredo Morales sounds like something shorted out could be the switch or the wiring hopefully it's just the switch that's a lot easier to replace then finding shorted out wires.
would your dimmer lights come on though? I think I have a bad headlight switch. I turn the nob all the way and it's just the dimmer lights. I had to push it in and out a lot for the headlights to come on.
I don't see how this video is helpful? One usually makes videos that show the procedure for doing X. Your video has no "how to." This is the exact problem with a lot of the tech manuals. Lots of words, but no actual pictures or actions to show what needs to be done. Because of that, you get a thumbs down from me..........
Nine years later and this video is still helping people. I can’t believe I would have ever figured it out if I had not watched this. Yes, in theory all of the individual steps are easy to do (except actually getting the switch out and getting the new one up in there), but I never would’ve been able to figure them out if I had not found your how-to. Thank you for taking the time to make this. Now I’m going to check out your other videos to see what else I can fix on my 91 Cherokee!
Hey Scott and Exo, I`ve got a 91 Cherokee too. Do you know if there is a bulb and wire socket that snugs into place above the headlight switch that illuminates thru the headlight logo on the panel when the switch is pulled out halfway to full position?
thank you man. Perfect short but includes all the important parts to help. great job!
Wayne Brettonwood thanks
BEWARE of the switch model. Thanks to this video I replaced my headlight switch with far less hassle than if I hadn't watched it and learned some important tips. HOWEVER (as noted in my earlier comment) the switch had 2 ground connectors instead of 1. The person at the switch manufacturer (who sounded kinda dumb) said either ground terminal would work, so I connected to just one terminal thinking it was common. My fault for not testing it before putting everything back in place. The dash lights and tail lights do not work now. I had a jumper made to connect both terminals to the ground wire, but have not taken the time, now several weeks, to do it all over again. I hope to post the results here if I don't forget. I recommend just making sure the switch you purchase is EXACTLY the same as the OEM.
Thanks to your video, I saved a lot of frustration by not trying to install the switch without removing the lower dash panel. The only thing I'll pass on to others is that I was able to pull the switch out enough to undo the clasps and pull the wire assembly off more easily than tinkering with the screwdriver through the access hole. (I tried that but just couldn't get the other side off. Under the dash was much easier, also to remove and replace the wire assembly. Also, the new switch had a different position for the ground clip and that too was too difficult to connect after installation. So I pulled the switch back out and got that done where I could move it around. Overall, though, your video really helped. Thanks.
It can be a little tricky.
Probably safer to do it this way as well. As i was poking the screwdriver through there trying to pop the clip something sparked and now my jeep wont start.
Watching the video and reading the comments made me try a different approach. First, I used my Drexel with cutting but to carefully cut out the plastic around the knob. I left 3/16 all around and the shaved a bit more off until I could just pull the entire switch right out. Next, I disconnected the ground wire and plug and popped out the knob and shaft. Then I scrounged a piece of sturdy black plastic from a Saab door and used my Drexel to cut a piece that fit exactly into the squarish place on the dash. Using the switch I carved a hole for the shaft fitting. Now I assembled it all again with a new switch and expoxied into the dash. I used two thin boards and the seat angle adjustment to clamp it in place. Scrapped off the lightbulb decal and glued that on. It is super solid and everything works.
Whatever works.
Just wanted to say thanks for this video. Because of it I was able to do it myself in about an hour. Probably saved $80+ in taking it to a shop. Cheers!
No problem, glad it helped.
Thank you this is the exact video I was looking for. Makes me sad when I see great videos like this with a lot of views and the channel still doesn't have a thousand subscribers. I'll give you a sub so you get closer!
Thanks! Glad I could help.
Thanks a lot dude! I have to do this tomorrow. New switch came in today.
thanx for da video. it helped a lot. sometimes i forget how simple the xj's are to repair.
Glad it helped i thought it was a good video to post because it is kinda difficult to do if you don't know all the details.
At one point i thought i would have to do the same thing But.I eventually I had to lay in the front seat upside down and snake my arms up under and thru the dash. it probably helps to be some what on the thin side to get your arms up thru the dash and get hold off the switch.
UPDATE !!!
I just finished replacing the light switch on my '96 Cherokee. I have replaced similar switches on different trucks. The switch on my jeep COULD NOT BE REPLACE FROM BELOW THE DASH. I pulled lower dash and began the process as I have done before. With the retainer nut removed there was maybe an inch of slack wiring harness allowing the switch barely an inch of movement. No way to disconnect and remove the old switch, and definitely no way to install the new switch. I started pulling down the far left idiot light panel, discovered that is riveted into place. Then went after the instrument panel. pulled instrument panel bezel, and instrument panel which also required removing trim from the steering column around ignition switch/hazard light panel. (you will need a t-20 driver, and not a t20 bit on an extension) It was barely possible to replace the switch going in through the instrument panel location. New switch had 2 grounds, old switch and harness had one. Had to fabricate wiring, you will need 2 spade female terminals and wire. Doable, but major P.I.A.
Still the only video that remotely covers this. This is one of the worst jobs to do on an XJ. If you have big hands...expect lots of bleeding.
Im still trying to walk the switch out...and Im very close to getting my angle grinder lol
Thank for doing this video, it helped me greatly. I was how ever able slip the unit out the back where i could get to the little black latches easier, I have a 1996 Jeep Cherokee. Took about 45 min to an hr tops to replace, Thanks once again.
No problem glad to see its helping people.
Thank you for the quick response. The part that goes into the harness is the same, just difficult for me. I'll try a diffeeent position. As for the other side with the plunger release, I'm just stumped a little. It is just the new style of the switch 50067334, just gotta figure that part out. Thank you again.
Thanks.... made it so simple!!!!
Because I did this procedure 8+ years ago 0n my 95 I tried your way thinking it might be easier, but had to resort to pulling off the top of the steering column (t-20 torx bits, the inst cluster after the dash trim & the plastic inst gauge cover, marking top of the front-unclipping gauge wiring harness by the drivers left hand. All else was phillips screws of diff types(document which go where), then u can unclip from above the 2 plastic light switch clips & plug where u can see it. 1 hour job.
Joe IV yup I had to do it this way, there was no way I was getting that whole thing unclipped and taken out the bottom, it’s a little more work this way but a lot less frustrating!
Thank you so much! I was about ready to smash the damn thing, so I decided to check youtube haha
hope u can help but. my fuses are good and the high beams work as well so could the switch be the problem?
there is a ground wire on the switch at the end of switch. its best to solder a new wire onto the stud or it will keep falling off while you try to get it in place. poor design wire harness should have been longer. careful pull and extend wire harness to make it longer be careful. ive replaced mine twice already 1988
Glad the video helped.
Yes, but they would go out and i would have to turn the switch off then on again to get them to come back then it started getting worse to the point that the lights would turn off more often and i would have to work the switch many times to get them to come back on.once I replaced the switch, the problem was solved and the new switch was stiffer compared to the old one.hope that helps.
This is one way to replace switch,other way which i was use is to take off tacho. If you do that way you have more space to disconnect switch connector. Anyhow god to know what options you have .
thanks man you where a big help
Thumbs up from Sweden!
rotentrask awesome!!
Thanks man. Big help!
This video was helpful, but I'm now sick from motion sickness. Less camera motion, please.
Yes don't move so quick. slow it down. Cant see some of what he talks about because he moves to quick
Sweet sir
My son just got a 1993 jeep Cherokee. U pull on the knob it comes out all the way..would he have to buy another switch? It feels like when push the knob black in. It does feel like it not catching. From your film that's a lot of work. He got it from a car lot in Jeffersonville, Indiana.
Tom Cartwright There's a button on the bottom of the switch. You have to hold the button down and push the knob in. The reverse order of the first step in the video. It takes some fiddling but It'll go in.
Andrew is right., sorry for the late response you tube never notified me of Your comment.
I had my light switch pop out on me and haven't ordered a replacement because I was hoping to just pop it back in. A friend told me that if I pushed the button underneath while I inserted it that it would secure it back into place but I tried that and it didn't work for me. Any thoughts? Thanks for the video BTW.
If your talking about the switch post all you should have to do is push it in until it clicks into the switch assembly. you don't have to push the button, if I remember correctly it just clicks in. but it is a little tricky it took a couple of trys to get it in and the position that the switch is in matters I can't remember but I think it had to be in the off position or something.if its not going in you may need a new switch. Good luck hope that helps.
Thanks, helped a lot
Awesome!
Dash lights don't work? Fuse keep popping every time you turn your headlights on? Did you recently find a pair of wires disconnected on your back hatch and attach them thinking it was important? I had this problem the other day and couldn't figure it out, thought it was my switch going bad. For anyone else in my situation, go back and disconnect those wires, it should solve your problem.
I have the problem that when I put my lights on, the fuse # 7 is burning, which could be no lights on the dash, but everything else if it works any idea???
I replaced the radio that came with my 2001 Jeep Cherokee, and that night my brother noticed that the car lights were on. I was asleep, so he turned them off for me. Well, the next morning when I left for work, I noticed that the running lights didn't work. the headlights themselves work, but the rest of the car acts like the headlights are still off. If the switch is pulled out to just the right place, the running lights will turn on, though pulling last that point to turn on the headlights isn't possible. Any ideas what it could be? I'm going to try replacing the switch first, but suggestions or thoughts would be welcome.
Atomic Fire sounds like it's the switch. there isn't any reason replacing the radio should affect the lights.i just put in a new radio in my xj 2 weeks ago no problems with the lights.
Exocartonic
Yeah. I'd read a comment that said something about causing damage to the switch from shorting the wire connected to the original radio that essentially tells it that the running lights are. So I figured that if that's what happened to me there might be some other damage caused that I should check.
thanx from idaho!
J Dean no problem
its hard to do when its 17 outside
Crazy...it's 17 here in NE Wyoming where I'm about to do this fix.
Hey, was able to get the plug out but having difficulty getting it back in. Do you have any hints? Just trying ro reach up under the dash and reattaching the harness is difficult. us one more question please: My new switch has an extra "grounding spade with a resistor" Would you know which one I attach it to?
yes it can be difficult to get your hand up behind the dash.i found the best thing was to lay in the seat upside down with my head under the dash then I had a straight shot with my arms under the dash.as for the extra prong I can't speak to that my old and new switch were they same the, new one just clicked right in.that might be why your having a hard time plugging the switch in to harness maybe it's the wrong switch?
also you have to plug the switch into the harness while the switch is behind the dash there isn't enough slack in the harness wires to pull in out from behind the dash.
good luck! it can be tricky.
Thanks brother
No problem.
Here's my question, my dash lights and tail lights quit working, does that mean I have to replace that piece?
Jacob Shields I would check your fuses.but it is possible that it could be the switch.my headlights would just turn off while I was driving and I would have to turn the switch of and on to get them to work.
It's all in the switch
were your dash lights working before you replaced that switch?
Thanks bro !!
Muy bien explicado
Hey man I did the whole install of the new switch but the rod won't go back into the switch any ideas ?
if I remember correctly you have to have the switch in the off position to insert the switch shaft.
also you have to push the button in as you insert the shaft.
Hey i bought everything and I'm not able to get the retainer part that releases the part behind it but I'm not able to unscrew it it seems as its sucks? how would you get that retainer part off ?
Dominik do you mean the switch nob out of the switch it self?
yes i got the light switch out but i can't seem to unscrew the plastic retainer behind the light switch
Dominik of I didn't have anything but the switch behind the dash and the only thing that secured the switch to the dash was the small metal thing that screwed into the front of switch thru the dash.im not sure what plastic part you are trying to unscrew.
the small metal thing is what I am talking about sorry for the confusion, i cant swim to get that off and thank you so much for replying in a quick manner
Dominik you should be able to use a large flat head screw driver to unscrew it.but you should have not been able to remove the switch from the dash if that metal part is still on it . what year is you jeep cherokee?
My dad is giving me his 96 jeep xj. The lights on the dash don't work at all, there are no fuses blown. Does anyone think it might be the switch. Also sometimes when you go to turn the headlights off they will stay on even if the switch is pushed all the way in. Usually it is only the headlights that stay on. Also the buzzer doesn't sound when the switch is all the way in and the lights are still on.
I guess it could be the headlight swicth.when you pull it out and push it in does it have a nice crisp clicking or does it feel loose?
Thanks for the reply mate. No it doesn't feel loose and it does click into place when you pull it out and push it in.
josh101911 well I know that before I replaced my switch the headlights would just go off and I would have to turn them off and on multiple times to get them to come back on and they wouldn't stay on.so it's possible that it could be your switch but I can't say for sure a new switch is only around 20 bucks so it might be worth taking a chace on a new one.
I guess I'll try my luck with a new switch. If it's not the switch at least I'll have a new switch. Thanks for you help though mate. I appreciate it :)
josh101911 good luck if you could let me know if the new switch solves the problem I'm curious to know.
Thank you!
workingclassBLOOD glad I could help.
what was the reason for you changing this part
Jose Alfredo Morales headlights would go out and would have to work the switch off and on to get them to come back on then they would go out again so I replaced the switch and problem was fixed.
mine gets really hot it burned my finger there was some smoke and then my turning signal break lights stop working
Jose Alfredo Morales sounds like something shorted out could be the switch or the wiring hopefully it's just the switch that's a lot easier to replace then finding shorted out wires.
would your dimmer lights come on though? I think I have a bad headlight switch. I turn the nob all the way and it's just the dimmer lights. I had to push it in and out a lot for the headlights to come on.
I sold my jeep couldn't figure out the problem. Replaced a few part and nothing
Thanks..
en español por favor
Sorry no habla Espanol.
@@Exocartonic *Hablo
I don't see how this video is helpful? One usually makes videos that show the procedure for doing X. Your video has no "how to." This is the exact problem with a lot of the tech manuals. Lots of words, but no actual pictures or actions to show what needs to be done. Because of that, you get a thumbs down from me..........
Well a lot of people have commented that its helped them.
+Exocartonic Its helped me I could figure out how to get that knob off.
+LoTek Gamers awesome, its helped a ton of people.
+Federico Contreras Your comment is not helpful, this just saved me hours.
Thanks man!
Glad I could help.