IPF Headlight Harness Issue
#11
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Vancouver BC
Posts: 389
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
JK-Ford is right, it starts off intermittent and then in a month it's dead for good.
#12
JK Junkie
You need to keep a close eye on the connection untill you are sure that it is solid. Take action at the very first sign. Clean all the terminals. Make everything as tight as possible. Use "Noalox" or "Penetrox" on the terminals.
#13
Same problem with one of our JK's..... headlights (low beam) going out all the time on both the driver and passenger side. Hi beam doesnt work at all on the drivers side anymore (doesnt even have power on the faftory wire). ARB replaced the wire harness and bulbs but that didnt fix anything. Tried zip ties and electrical tape.... No go.... funny thing is now the factory harness wont securely connect to stock bulbs.
Bought a new oem connector setup from the dealer.... we'll see if that fixes everything.
Bought a new oem connector setup from the dealer.... we'll see if that fixes everything.
#14
JK Junkie
Same problem with one of our JK's..... headlights (low beam) going out all the time on both the driver and passenger side. Hi beam doesnt work at all on the drivers side anymore (doesnt even have power on the faftory wire). ARB replaced the wire harness and bulbs but that didnt fix anything. Tried zip ties and electrical tape.... No go.... funny thing is now the factory harness wont securely connect to stock bulbs.
Bought a new oem connector setup from the dealer.... we'll see if that fixes everything.
Bought a new oem connector setup from the dealer.... we'll see if that fixes everything.
#15
I ended up making my own adapters when I went with the Cibie lights.
the H4 connector is available at most auto parts stores. I bought the H13 part on ebay, and just spliced the two together.
If you're having problems with the H4 portion, I'd just cut off the H4 plug, and splice a new one in to what you have. I think a pair of H4 plugs was only a few bucks.
No need rewiring with relays and capacitors etc if you are using the same bulb wattage. (If you did go with higher current bulbs, then yes, you should consider the relay-capacitor-new wire job, because the stock wires are awfully thin!)
the H4 connector is available at most auto parts stores. I bought the H13 part on ebay, and just spliced the two together.
If you're having problems with the H4 portion, I'd just cut off the H4 plug, and splice a new one in to what you have. I think a pair of H4 plugs was only a few bucks.
No need rewiring with relays and capacitors etc if you are using the same bulb wattage. (If you did go with higher current bulbs, then yes, you should consider the relay-capacitor-new wire job, because the stock wires are awfully thin!)
#16
JK Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Denver, CO
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is all great info. I'm glad I'm not alone with my headache.
it has gotten a lot worse over time that is dead on. I'll be lubing the contacts up and then ziptieing them together. That seems like the fastest thing I can try. Might also be worth a call to Quadratec to see if i can rma the harnesses.
As a long term fix I'm going to look at rewiring. At least then I will have more bulb options and know the wiring is sound.
it has gotten a lot worse over time that is dead on. I'll be lubing the contacts up and then ziptieing them together. That seems like the fastest thing I can try. Might also be worth a call to Quadratec to see if i can rma the harnesses.
As a long term fix I'm going to look at rewiring. At least then I will have more bulb options and know the wiring is sound.
#17
JK Enthusiast
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Central Illinois
Posts: 258
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I had the same issues and tried zip ties, wiggling, lots of low tech stuff. I finally gave up and contacted Seth at ARB (they supplied Dave at Northridge with the harness) and he had a new harness out to me right away.
Since then, no issues.
Since then, no issues.
#18
JK Freak
That's the issue when you use an adapter for something that was never meant for it. I use the Rally Sports Hella Harness for my H4s and it's flawless. It might even work for the IPF ones since all you're plugging in is the bulb.
#19
JK Freak
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Lost in the woods, MO
Posts: 508
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
same issues with IPF
I electrical taped the shit out of the connecters and the drivers side still flickers sometimes.
Response was to email dave @ northridge and he is having IPF send me new connecters... he said that every once in a while it is manufactured slightly wrong and he has a new set sent out and he hasnt heard any more complaints after the new set was sent out.
My answer would be whoever you bought the product from, get new connecters weather or not you have to pay for them or shipping, id try that before cutting connections, especially if you ever plan on trading in the jeep (most likely noone will care or know what you did, but its the right thing to do)
Response was to email dave @ northridge and he is having IPF send me new connecters... he said that every once in a while it is manufactured slightly wrong and he has a new set sent out and he hasnt heard any more complaints after the new set was sent out.
My answer would be whoever you bought the product from, get new connecters weather or not you have to pay for them or shipping, id try that before cutting connections, especially if you ever plan on trading in the jeep (most likely noone will care or know what you did, but its the right thing to do)
#20
JK Super Freak
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Fonthill,Ontario
Posts: 1,037
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I have had the same problem. Used the new harness too and still the light would go out. I just then cut off the harnesses and soldered the wires together permanently.
I would keep these lights always so it made sense to get rid of the harness. I will not have a problem from now on.
I would keep these lights always so it made sense to get rid of the harness. I will not have a problem from now on.