59 CJ Lights Don't Work

I need to quit working on it. The more I do, the more needs to be done.

I have been chasing a fuel gauge problem for a month now. Last night I changed out the gauge and when I was done I noticed the lights don't work. I can't swear they were working before I changed the gauge, but they did work last time I tried to use them. None of the lights work; headlights, parking lights, dash lights. The turn signals do work as do the idiot lights in the speedo.

I tried bypassing the circuit breaker on the back of the light switch, but that did not work. Its a new switch I replaced about 6 months ago. I checked for burnt fuses, but I could not find any. I'm not even sure this model has a fuse on the headlights. I seem to recall that fusable links were sometimes used on older cars.

The gas gauge I installed was not exactly the same as the original. It did not have the terminal that connects it to the temp gauge. I just left that connection link off as the temp gauge stopped working before I got the Jeep and was replaced with a mechanical gauge. I can't imaging this would afffect the headlights, but who knows.

I don't really think its connected to the gas gauge, but I don't typically believe in cooincidences.

Any thoughts?

 

I'd run a jumper to the temp gauge, as that is the only thing you changed. See what happens.

The problem is, you don't know who's done what to the wiring in the past. It could be anything...

 

A good test light will be a great help.

 

would guess that the light switch is hooked up wrong.

 

:iagree: with Karl...I ran into the same problem this past week.

Here's the wiring diagrams if you need them:
http://earlycj5.com/tech/electrical/index.shtml

I believe the connection link you are talking about that connects the fuel gage to the temp gage is a ground but I don't see how that would link to the head lights, parking light problem. Check the dimmer switch like Vangard said also, that was the first thing to go in my CJ. Had to call the police to drive me home in the dark.

 

I highly recommend installing relays. Even after upgrading to an aftermarket wiring harness, I found that I was blowing fuses when I turned the headlights off. There is just too much amperage going through the switch when running the headlights directly, and it was causing arcing. Installing relays was cheap and easy, and I haven't had a problem since. Check Parts Express. Got 'em for about $3 ea, IIRC.

 

I would think if the dimmer switch is the culprit, the marker lights, etc. would still function. That's how it was on my old Ford truck. Dimmer switch " should" only control the headlights.