XJ 95 Sport with no low beams/headlights

[eksjay]

I have been having intermittent problems with the low beams/headlamps on my car for a few weeks. The running lights work fine, and I have interior dash lights.

Lately I was noticing a smell in the cabin that at first resembled some kind of chemical smell (not oil, fuel or coolant), and then it turned to a burning metal smell and then just a burn. I checked the under bonnet fluid levels and hunted around for something smokey, but nothing, it was all good. Same with the under carriage.

In the cabin, there were no visible vapours or smoke. I thought at first it was coming out of the air con, but the smell completely stopped when my headlamps stopped working.

I have checked #5 relay and #25 fuse and it all looks okay.

Am I up for a new headlight switch or is there something even more sinister going on behind this? The car is running fine, I just cant drive at night without temporarily blinding oncoming traffic with my Nighthawk LED bar - yes, I live in the sticks.... [hint: my high beams/Nighthawk combo works when the stalk is pulled back].

Just noticed something in another forum. There is a buzzer fuse that the headlamp switch has a link to.... I haven't checked that!

Thanks for any feedback....

[layback40]

Probably you have cooked the switch. I would check to see if you have higher wattage globes in your headlights. Rather than cook another switch, relay your headlights.
Sorry to be the bringer of bad news but you probably are better getting it straight than having false hopes.

[eksjay]

Thanks for breaking it gently. No problem for me to buy a new switch.

The globe's in the H4 are your standard bulbs. I did at one stage consider buying more powerful IPF halogen ones, but figured I would need new looms. I got the LED Nighthawk bar which is completely awesome.

[eksjay]

A further question... Do these switches burn out like this for any specific reason other than age or wear and tear?

The parking lights still operate.

Does the fault have anything to do with the addition of an LED bar? The light bar was added almost a year ago, but everything ARB does is a direct connect to battery...

It is unlikely to be the buzzer fuse because the Buzzr still works and the parking light works...

[rainman]

I doubt the light bar has much to do with it.
the switches burn out cause the whole electrical load that goes through the lights gos through the switch and they get old and the wire in the circuit is "just big enough".
using a loom upgrade, the switch just carries the electricity to switch the relays, and cause the wires in the new loom are bigger and shorter than the oem loom, so you get much less voltage drop= brighter headlights.
good luck with it.

[eksjay]

Originally Posted by rainman

I doubt the light bar has much to do with it.
the switches burn out cause the whole electrical load that goes through the lights gos through the switch and they get old and the wire in the circuit is "just big enough".
using a loom upgrade, the switch just carries the electricity to switch the relays, and cause the wires in the new loom are bigger and shorter than the oem loom, so you get much less voltage drop= brighter headlights.
good luck with it.

Thanks Rainman....

I just ordered an OEM Mopar switch from ebay (Oz sourced). I will take it to a sparky and get it replaced.

[HamishW96]

Originally Posted by eksjay

Thanks Rainman....

I just ordered an OEM Mopar switch from ebay (Oz sourced). I will take it to a sparky and get it replaced.

Prick of a job if you want to retain your dash. Easy if you just rip the dash apart (have done at the wreckers....)