Headlights and idling weird...again

[KJ zGal]

What do you guys think are the best headlights (and possibly foglights as well) that I can buy that are reasonably priced? I don't have the money to get projector housings and all that stuff--I just want lights that are brighter than the stock ones. Also, is there anything I can do to clear the glass up a bit? It's not too bad, but it could be clearer.

Also, while sitting at a stop light yesterday, I thought the KJ was gonna stall on me, like it's done whenever I pull into my garage, but this time it was continuous instead of just one drop in the RPM and then idling back at the usual 600. I was actually holding my foot on the gas pedal to keep the RPMs up, but then the rest of the drive and on the way back I had no problems with it. It's going to be hitting 120k miles soon, so maybe this is something that needs to be serviced? I looked in the manual but didn't see anything. The battery was also replaced just last year, and the terminals/clips/whatever they're called didn't seem loose at all. I never did find out what was causing the 2.5 amp drain on the battery, but I'm starting to suspect this has something to do with it. Any suggestions on how to find out what's causing that drain? And any other thoughts on what the problem could be?

 

[guitarzan]

For headlights I like the Sylvania Silverstar's or the Ultra version. They are brighter. They can be a bit of a hassle driving in snow though because they're like driving with your brights on and pretty blinding. They don't last as long either. I'd go with a good set of driving lights and leave the headlights stock. Sorry I don't have any recs on driving lights.

As far as the stalling... wonder if your having fuel filter issues? Maybe some bad fuel?

 

[autoboy454]

my 03 has 117k on the clock and is starting to show some funny idle signs. I'm going to swap in a new fuel filter next tuesday and will report back on whether or not it improves. Maybe a dirty/clogged/sticking injector also with the mileage. Who knows. SEAFOAM in the gas tank and see what happens.

 

[Warren.fischbeck]

I believe the biggest symptom for a clogged fuel filter is hesitation and rough idle. There may be other things going on that a new filter wont fix.

 

[LibertyTC]

Best headlight bulbs are PIAA extreme White + 9007. 2x brighter/whiter than stock and long lasting.
http://www.piaa.com/Bulbs/Bulbs-9000.html
I did the fogs mod too NICE! http://www.jeepprojects.com/content.php?article.43
As far as the idle problem, I would start by replacing the spark plugs, the gap is often out even after 15k miles. You then also get to note gap & burn conditions of plugs.
Next get the air box totally clean/air filter.
Then the throttle body clean using a no lint shop towel and carb cleaner spray.
Or get the dealer to professionally do a emission and throttle body service.
Best O luck...try the PIAA's you won't be disappointed.
Lens polishing can be done with buffer/drill with numerous headlight restoration kits. 3M, Meguiars,PlasticX etc. You can google/Utube "headlight polishing"
http://www.autodetailingsolutions.net/g1900.html
For injector cleaner I use Chvron bottle of "TECHRON" (techroline) to a half tank of fuel, and a good highway boogie. This keeps them clean 3 x a year.
How are you measuring the 2.5 amp drain? explain more..

 

[KJ zGal]

Thanks for the tips all! I'll wait and see if the fuel filter makes any difference on that '03 before I do anything I guess. It's not really a rough idle, it's just really hesitant, aka, dropping to 300 RPMs and sitting there then going back up to normal and not dropping again. Also, just replaced the spark plugs at 110k, so that shouldn't be an issue. I checked the air filter, it was replaced recently too so it's not too bad.

As for the battery drain, I took it down to advance auto a while back and had them test it, and got this back: http://img708.imageshack.us/img708/5446/sc003c3d16.jpg

They couldn't tell me what would be causing it.

 

[staindvans]

if you really like spending alot of money on bulbs these are supposed to be nice
http://store.candlepower.com/bfcopo90hbpo1.html
i just use the sylvania x-travision bulbs more light than the normal bulbs and only a bit less light than the super fancy bulbs (you prolley won't be able to tell except they aren't white). i had silverstars and hated them, the whiter light really ***** in crappy weather and you really don't gain any actual lumens over other headlight bulbs, just the color of the light and twice the cost. the white light is nice though, they just weren't for me.

the other stuff i have no idea on

 

[valvestem]

What do you guys think are the best headlights (and possibly foglights as well) that I can buy that are reasonably priced? I don't have the money to get projector housings and all that stuff--I just want lights that are brighter than the stock ones. Also, is there anything I can do to clear the glass up a bit? It's not too bad, but it could be clearer.

Also, while sitting at a stop light yesterday, I thought the KJ was gonna stall on me, like it's done whenever I pull into my garage, but this time it was continuous instead of just one drop in the RPM and then idling back at the usual 600. I was actually holding my foot on the gas pedal to keep the RPMs up, but then the rest of the drive and on the way back I had no problems with it. It's going to be hitting 120k miles soon, so maybe this is something that needs to be serviced? I looked in the manual but didn't see anything. The battery was also replaced just last year, and the terminals/clips/whatever they're called didn't seem loose at all. I never did find out what was causing the 2.5 amp drain on the battery, but I'm starting to suspect this has something to do with it. Any suggestions on how to find out what's causing that drain? And any other thoughts on what the problem could be?

Check the current drain by removing one fuse at a time until the drain goes away. Hook up a meter in between the positive end of the batt terminal and the positive end of the cable.
2.5 amps is quite abit, so if you can't hear anything running or giving off heat, it may be a short to ground, although that would blow a fuse or give other symptoms. Have you installed an amp or radio that may be in standby stage all the time until it's turned on? Extra light? Just a thought. Your test shows the alt to be putting out OK.

 

[KJ zGal]

I did install a new head unit a long time ago...it's always playing my music though, so it's never really in standby mode, if there even is one. I'll have to get a meter and try the fuse removal process you mentioned valvestem. Thanks =]

 

[JeepJeepster]

Has anyone ever recommended that you take fuses out until the load goes away? Is the 2.5amp load always there? Some can be kinda expensive but you can buy a 'clamp on' amp meter that will let you see how many amps is going through a wire. If you knew someone that had one(or you already had one) that would help you figure out at least what fuse has the load.. Then you could go from there.