Headlights Out

I’ve searched the threads for this but haven’t found it. I have a 1974 CJ5. I have had it for years and everything has been working fine until recently. Recently, when I would turn on the headlight switch, the headlights would come on and the both of the turn signal indicators and the high beam indicator would come on and stay on. When I would use the turn signals they worked only intermittently. This was only when the headlight switch was turned on.

Over the last few days the headlights gave out too. The headlight switch doesn’t turn on the headlights. It just turns on the high beam indicator and both of the turn signal indicators. Interestingly, when I turn on the headlight switch and use a turn signal, the fuel gauge spikes to the beat of the turn signal.

I read through the posts here and decided to try replacing both the headlight switch and the floor high beam switch. It didn’t change anything. I also checked all fuses. Checked the battery. I haven’t checked the turn signal switch but that was my next thought. Don’t really know what to check for there though. Or do I just buy a replacement or is there another thought. I appreciate any help you can offer. Thank you.

 

This sounds like a grounding issue. Check around to see if there is a good ground behind the dash.
-Donny

 

I had some issues with my lights too turned out to be a ground issue to the grill/radiator support

 

More likely this.

 

Clean and reseat all grounds.
Remove any fixtures, clean grounding surfaces and reseat.
Clean all connectors with a good contact cleaner, reseat.
Test all bulbs, clean bases and sockets, reseat.
Indicators, brake and flasher signals go through the steering column. Clean the switches with contact cleaner, unplug, clean and reseat all connectors.
Refer to the wiring diagram, start at one end or another and test for expected voltages with your test light or multimeter. Correct problems as encountered.
https://oljeep.com/gw/74_tsm/22-7-CJWiringDiagram.pdf

 

Thanks for all the great advice. You were right on the money. Started at the end of the line where the headlights ground to the frame. It was pretty corroded. Dremeled down to good steel, cleaned up the connections and added dielectric grease. That was it. Bad ground. Thanks guys.