Jeep Grand Cherokee Headlights

The headlights are an essential part of your vehicle especially when you are driving at night or going through a tunnel. It keeps you safe especially from other passengers as they can notice you on the road. It's also a standard operating procedure to turn these on when dusk sets in; otherwise, you'll be hailed by a traffic enforcer and get reprimanded for not having them switched on. But, the Jeep Grand Cherokee headlights also experience problems that can't be avoided. Here are some troubleshooting tips to help you out if ever this part is about to fail.

Faulty and loose connections

Usually, the reason why the headlights do not work anymore is because of a busted light bulb. Check if there's a burnt bulb that might need to be replaced. Also, examine the connections, such as the connecting wires and socket, if there's a corroded bulb. Units may also have loosened, so you'd better tighten them so that the headlights can start working again.

Bad illumination

It's inevitable for your lights to get wet especially when you are driving under the rain. If you start noticing that the headlights do not light up the road properly, it could mean that there's moisture buildup in the headlight lenses. This can affect the brightness of the headlights. You can take out the lens and wipe off the moisture using a clean rag or paper towel.

Flickering headlights

It's also quite inevitable for the headlights to start flickering. If it starts to fluctuate or dim during acceleration, you might have to check the strength of the battery's charge. This is also caused by an alternator that's about to give up. When this happens, it affects the charging of the battery, which will eventually lose its charge and give up.

Damaged units

If both headlights aren't functioning at all, go ahead and take a good look at the connecting wire systems. Check out the headlight relay, module, dimmer switch, headlight switch, or look out for a faulty wire. If you discover that there's a problem with the said units, have them replaced. It's much cheaper rather than having a whole new headlight installed on your ride.

Since its debut at the 1992 Detroit Auto Show, the Jeep Grand Cherokee became one of the vehicles that fueled America’s obsession with SUVs. Boasting a total of 30 awards, the Grand Cherokee is considered the most awarded SUV in history. The success of this model can be attributed in part to its classic Jeep styling. One part that gives this vehicle its distinct look is its headlights.  

The headlight is a component that is essential to vehicle safety. This pair of lights is installed at the front of the vehicle, allowing you to see the road in the dark or in low visibility conditions. The headlight assembly is typically composed of the housing, a reflective component like chrome, and the light bulb.

The headlights are connected to a power supply that runs through the vehicle and can be toggled on and off by the driver from inside the cabin. These lights help you safely navigate the road at night, especially in areas without street lights or under extreme weather conditions. Aside from enabling drivers to see at night, these lights can also be used to communicate with other drivers on the road.  

Headlights can be categorized into two styles: reflector and projector headlights.

Reflector headlights

Reflector headlights have been standard since electric headlights were invented. This style features a lightbulb that is placed inside a metal bowl and is surrounded by a reflective material. Older models of the Grand Cherokee feature a type of reflector headlights called sealed beam headlights which had enclosed assembly that didn’t allow individual parts to be replaced.

Projector headlights

Projector headlights are commonly seen in newer vehicle models. This type has similar components to the reflector headlight. However, projector headlights feature a shutter or cover, which creates focused beams. The reflective material inside the assembly also comes in an elliptical design which gives you the ability to direct the light on the road instead of blinding other drivers.

Finding the right fit

There have been four generations of the Jeep Grand Cherokee, each generation comes with parts of varying sizes. To find the right fit for your vehicle, you may use our website’s search engine. Simply input the specific year, make, and model to browse through our vast selection of parts.

OEM replacement headlights can cost you anywhere between $70 to $1,200. Keep in mind that price may vary depending on your vehicle’s year, make, and model. Headlights are typically sold individually, in pairs, or as part of a kit. Assemblies may come with or without light bulbs.

As an external component located at the front of your vehicle, your headlights are prone to damages caused by road accidents. Check the lens cover for any cracks and see if the glass is getting cloudy. Over the years, these lights will burn out. To check your headlights, you can have a friend stand in front of your vehicle as you switch through light settings. You may also park in front of a solid wall to view the reflection of your lights. If you think that your headlights are gradually dimming, you may need to have the bulbs replaced. It’s always best to have your headlights checked by a trusted mechanic so that you can determine whether the problem is with the switch, alternator, or the parts of the assembly itself.

Malfunctioning and dim headlights can pose a safety hazard on the road. Without properly functioning headlights, your visibility on the road will be significantly reduced. Headlights help you navigate safely through heavy rain, sleet, or fog. Therefore, it’s important to regularly check your lights and immediately consult a certified mechanic to diagnose related problems.

Don’t forget to use our website’s search engine to look at available headlights and other parts for your Jeep Grand Cherokee. Simply input your vehicle’s year, make, and model to browse through our vast selection of parts.
 

Clean clouded headlight lenses.

Car aesthetics is very important to catch the attention of other drivers. So, make sure that a dirty headlight won't affect the look of your car by cleaning it once it gets clouded. It's unavoidable for it to get dirty especially when rain or dust can seep in through the tiny cracks of the lens. Once they build up, it can cause the headlight lenses to get all cloudy. But, there's an easy way to clean it. Carefully take out the lens and wipe off the dirt buildup with a clean rag or paper towel. You can do this regularly so that you can avoid it to get loaded with dust and debris.

Regularly wash the headlights.

After a drive, you can always wipe the outer part of the headlights clean. Wash it with a mixture of soap and water to get it really sanitized. This way, you can at least try to avoid any small particles that can build up around the lens. Also, it's a good way for you to inspect if there are cracks that you can fix immediately.

Repair cracks on headlight lenses.

If your headlight lenses are made of plastic, it's more vulnerable to cracks. If this happens, it can ruin the overall look of your ride. There is a way wherein you can fix this problem so that you can maintain great-performing headlights. You can use epoxy, which can bind plastic together. However, you have to make sure you get the right one for the kind of plastic lens you have so that you'll get optimum results.