Help! - RHS headlight intermittent

[McLocke]

Hi guys,

I thought I would check the brainstrust here before going to the dealer. My right-hand side main headlight on my MY14 WK2 Limited keeps dropping out - meaning sometimes it works sometimes it doesnt. Reeeeally embarrassing when the boys in blue are coming the other way in traffic. had one follow me for ages but it must have righted itself just at the right time to avoid being pulled over.

My question is, is this a globe issue, computer issue or wiring issue? has anyone else had a similar issue and fixed it themselves? I know the dealer is going to have a great time diagnosing this and possibly coming back at me with the old "need to replace the whole headlight unit" at god knows what costs.

any help anyone can offer would be greatly appreciated.

cheers,

[SouthernComfort]

Hard to be sure if this is related but one of mine became shaky, it would flicker going over a bump although it never went out completely. I read somewhere (can't recall where exactly) that the bulbs can do this when they're on the way out, they may also go pinkish as opposed to emitting the sharper white light. I replaced both main H/L bulbs and haven't noticed the problem since. They're expensive and pita to replace, but entirely doable if you're patient and you save a ridiculous labour cost.

I bought Osram Xenarc Night Breaker Unlimited D1S from the supplier below for $194 the pair. Just check your manual to see whether you need D1S or a different spec for your model year, they did change!

https://www.powerbulbs.com/

[Meggso]

4 years sounds about right for xenon bulb life.
I recently picked up a pair of Philips X-Treme Vision Gen 2 from Powerbulbs. I heard the dealer can sting you up to $400 each - I didn't ask them so can't confirm.
Make sure you enter the discount code from the banner at the top of the Powerbulbs page for 20% off if that's where you go. They are a pain to install so paying the dealer may be an option for some. If you're handy and patient, there are some youtube videos for tips. Note that ease of access is different depending on engine option.
Note also that yours will be D3S for a MY14.

Either SouthernComfort's Osrams or the Philips I got are better than the standard Osrams that you'll get from Jeep, too. Plenty of cheaper options if cost is an issue.

Best of luck,
Meggso

[sarg]

What about swapping the bulbs over to see if the fault moves with it. Will confirm it's the bulbs rather than something else.

[SouthernComfort]

Originally Posted by sarg

What about swapping the bulbs over to see if the fault moves with it. Will confirm it's the bulbs rather than something else.

It's such a tedious job you have to weigh up the odds - i.e. likelihood of bulb failure vs. other fault, unless you're a gluten for punishment and keen to do the job twice. Best to set aside an hour or two and approach it steadily. The main thing that gets in the way of final access to the bulb housing socket, is large hands! I ordered new bulbs before tackling the job and decided that if it turned out not to be the bulb at fault, then at least I have them on the shelf ready and waiting, 'cos one day soon they will fail in a 4-5 yr old car.

[Jeepstuff]

Originally Posted by SouthernComfort

It's such a tedious job you have to weigh up the odds - i.e. likelihood of bulb failure vs. other fault, unless you're a gluten for punishment and keen to do the job twice. Best to set aside an hour or two and approach it steadily. The main thing that gets in the way of final access to the bulb housing socket, is large hands! I ordered new bulbs before tackling the job and decided that if it turned out not to be the bulb at fault, then at least I have them on the shelf ready and waiting, 'cos one day soon they will fail in a 4-5 yr old car.

I had the same problem with a drivers side headlight on a MY14.

Dealer mechanic tried to blame driving light pickup off that light so I swapped the pickup to passenger side and still had the problem on drivers side.

They then swapped out the light with one they replaced in another car under warranty because the daytime running lights went blue.

Had that light in for around 4000 klm on a trip without problems. They put a new one in under warranty when i returned and had no further problem.

Hopefully it is only a bulb for you because the lights are not cheap.


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