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Headlight Switch Clicking

Discussion in 'Early CJ5 and CJ6 Tech' started by Scott Graham, Mar 5, 2020.

  1. Mar 5, 2020
    Scott Graham

    Scott Graham New Member

    White Cross, NC
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    I recently picked up a 67 CJ5 and need to tackle an electrical issue first. As of now none of the lights are working. I was told by the previous owner that they used to work and then one day they all stopped. When the battery is connected there is a constant clicking sound every few second from behind the headlight switch. I'm assuming its the sound of a relay, which leads me to believe that there is a short somewhere? Any advice on where to start? The CJ5 in question is a former fire department brush truck and as such has a number of switches that used to operate sirens and lights....which are no longer there any more. There appears to be a lot of excess wiring as a result. Any tips?
     
    Scott Graham, Mar 5, 2020
    #1
  2. Mar 5, 2020
    Jw60

    Jw60 That guy 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    The headlight switch has a breaker on the inbound terminal but this also feeds other items. I would pull the wires off one at a time and label them accordingly until the breaker functions normally.
     
    Jw60, Mar 5, 2020
    #2
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  3. Mar 5, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Behind the headlight switch? :D

    There very likely a circuit breaker there. What ever wires come off it should each be checked with an ohm-meter for a short to ground. Or possibly in the switch itself.

    Jw60 has a good tip also.
     
    PeteL, Mar 5, 2020
    #3
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  4. Mar 5, 2020
    Scott Graham

    Scott Graham New Member

    White Cross, NC
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    I'm guessing there is a joke here that I'm missing. :rofl:
     
    Scott Graham, Mar 5, 2020
    #4
  5. Mar 5, 2020
    Keys5a

    Keys5a Sponsor

    Florida Keys
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    The circuit breaker is attached at the firewall side of the headlight switch. Its the rectangular block with two terminals. Yes, something that is powered by it sounds like it has a short.
    I see your in White Cross. I used to live in Chapel Hill for about 6 years. I was always out on 54 in your direction.
    -Donny
     
    Last edited: Mar 5, 2020
    Keys5a, Mar 5, 2020
    #5
  6. Mar 5, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Hills of NH
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    Just that your question contained its own answer.
     
    PeteL, Mar 5, 2020
    #6
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  7. Mar 6, 2020
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    I live South of...
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    Welcome from Michigan, you are on the right track, you just need to follow down all the non-factory wiring and delete it. The relay is kicking out because of a dead short somewhere. Willys harnesses are very simple, but confusing because of the inline fuses, so you just have to sort them out. Good Luck
     
    Rick Whitson, Mar 6, 2020
    #7
  8. Mar 6, 2020
    Twin2

    Twin2 not him 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Virginia Beach, VA
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    breaker is on switch . and is always hot with battery hooked up
    as to wiring a FSM is something you really need to buy
    [​IMG]
     
    Twin2, Mar 6, 2020
    #8
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  9. Mar 6, 2020
    Howard Eisenhauer

    Howard Eisenhauer Administrator Staff Member

    Tantallon, Nova...
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    In case it isn't clear to you while the CB is physically attached to the light switch it may power a lot more than just the lights, at least for the stock wiring. With all your added on stuff they may have taken power from the breaker or bypassed it somehow.

    In Ron's picture the battery would connect to the rear stud, there would be other wires powering whatever connected to the front stud.

    Note that these things can get crotchety in their old age, a new one (& possibly light switch as well) would be good preventative medicine.

    [​IMG]
     
    Howard Eisenhauer, Mar 6, 2020
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  10. Mar 6, 2020
    sterlclan

    sterlclan Member 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Hey I resemble that remark
     
    sterlclan, Mar 6, 2020
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  11. Mar 6, 2020
    PeteL

    PeteL If it wasn't for physics, and law enforcement... 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    Kind of like being marrried...
     
    PeteL, Mar 6, 2020
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  12. Mar 6, 2020
    Rick Whitson

    Rick Whitson Detroit Area 2024 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

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    What can I say that has not been said already.:beer:
     
    Rick Whitson, Mar 6, 2020
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