Help - Lights flashing off/on

I think my light switch is headin' south, cuz on the way to work this morning they kept cutting off and on.
Does anybody know off the top of their head, what light switches are compatible? Even aftermarket would work for me.
Whoops, got to go back to work... Thanks for any help!

 

Your jeep trying to get the attention of that pretty pink caddy in the next lane?


You may have a short developing. Type of switch are you using?
in-dash or column-mounted? In-dash is simple just switch with any universal in-dash switch from the local parts store. Column-mounted is a pain, cause you got to remove the steering wheel and try to work in side the column itself. (just occured to me, it could be the floor mounted hi/lo switch, too). Good luck.

 

Me again.. check the ground for your relays if you are using them. Vibration could have loosened them or something.

 

Could be the switch or the dimmer switch. I've had both fail and cause the same problem. They get on an overheating/shut down cycle and start blinking the lights off and on. For a while I would run my CJ with the park lamps on and the fog lights burning instead of headlights. Not technically "legal" but it worked.

 

Actually, I think it was that little Wrangler that went by me!:drool:

Not a relay problem, don't have the relay setup yet. Dash mounted switch, not column. Overheating a real possibility, turned the dimmer all the way down and it helped a little bit, but still winked... just not as fast!
Will check FLAPS for a comparable switch. Thanks all!

 

It's natual your blinking....

 

I had something similar happen and mine was a bad ground. Turned out the grill was loose and was grounded to the frame well enough.

High5

 

this is a possibilty
on the dash mounted factory switch, the circuit breaker is inside the switch.
I would unscrew the switch, drop it down so you can see the plug and connectors. The plug could be melted/melting due to high resistance on a connection.
this is a GN type switch, so readily available, as well as the plug.
Of course, all the other items the guys have mentioned should be checked as well.

 

What Jim sez

also, at least on the CJ2, it has contacts "points" kinda thing inside the switch. I had blinking lights too but the contacts looked ok -- well, good enough. I clean with ultrafine sandpaper and cured it. looking good enough prolly isnt good enough

 

Was just about to say that, too.

Relays are worth the effort. $10 worth of parts from PartsExpress and you'll go from 20+ amps running through your dash down to 1 amp.

 

The relay was planned, just 'down the road' as it were...
When I rewired the Jeep, there was no plug for the switch, just insulated spade connectors. I think I will just buy a new switch, (see if it comes with a connector, if not, Oh Well.)and put that in, if I still have problems, then I will check the dimmer, as suggested in other threads (I did do a search when I had the chance. ) and replace that too, if needed. Then, it's time for the relay.

 

Here is the inside of a light switch:


You can see the circuit breaker on the bottom.
There were two differnt light switches made for the CJ so make sure you get the right one:

One has a jumper and one doesn't so if your parking lights don't work for some reason, compair it to the old one you had.

 

Thanks John, I had planned on taking my old one with me, but I didn't know about the jumper, and it probably would have bit me!
BTW, I've reading some of your posts on other forums, and you've been very helpful, ie; Stealth HEI, as well as headlight switch and relay info, etc.
This forum, and this group of individuals have been invaluable, and I thank all of you. (OK, enough sucking up... back to working on the JEEP! )
Mike

 

Can you get it working again if the breaker trips or by then is it done? Curious because I have a couple original switches laying around that don't work at all...

 

It should just reset itself if it's still good. If it never resets then you have a problem.

 

On mine, it heats up and then 'breaks' contact, lights go out, cools slightly and lights come back on, cycle repetes itself, people start looking at me funny, dark twisty roads become interesting...
If you have dead switches, why not take one apart and see if you can figure out what went bad on it. I always figured, if it's already broken, what am I going to do... break it more!?! R)
Who knows, you may end up with a couple of working spares.