Paul's Travel Pictures

Jeep Cherokee Headlight Bulbs Replacement Guide
How to change a burnt out low and high beam headlight bulb in a 5th generation 2014 to 2018 Jeep Cherokee.

Main Menu            Home           Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures            Articles            My Blog

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-001
2015 Cherokee Headlights
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-002
Low / High Beam Housing
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-003
Turn Front Wheels
This automotive maintenance tutorial was specifically written to assist owners of the fifth generation (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and probably also the revised 2018 model year) Jeep Cherokee in changing a burnt out combination low beam and high beam headlight bulb. (One bulb acts as both the low and high beam with the help of a mechanical shutter mechanism.)

Owners of other Jeep, Dodge, Chrysler, Fiat and RAM vehicles such as the Compass, Renegade, Wrangler, Grand Cherokee, Patriot, 500, Town & Country, 200, 300, Pacifica, Challenger, Charger, Dart, Durango, Journey, Grand Caravan, RAM 1500, C/V Tradesman and ProMaster Van may also find these DIY instructions to be helpful.

The compatible replacement combination low and high beam halogen headlight bulb part number is 9012.

The tools needed to access and replace the headlight bulbs include an 8mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Edit - Another Cherokee owner informed me that you can simply pry open the plastic access cover in front of the tire.



 
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-004
Plastic Wheel Well Liner
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-005
Loosen Counterclockwise
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-006
Remove 8mm Screw
The combination low and high beam headlight bulb is located in a separate housing in the middle of the front bumper cover.

(The headlight is equipped with an electro-mechanical shutter that shifts the light when you switch from low beam to the high beam. You may hear a "thump" noise when switching the high beams on and off as the shutter moves.)

An uninformed outside observer might believe that the headlight bulb is in the larger housing at the top of the bumper cover which contains the front turn signal and side marker light bulbs.

The housing at the bottom of the bumper cover contains the fog light bulb.

To access the headlight bulb, the first step is to turn the steering wheel all the way in the opposite direction of the burnt out bulb.

Turning the front wheels will create more working room in the wheel well liner.

Edit - Another Cherokee owner informed me that you can simply pry open the plastic access covers on the black plastic wheel well liner in front of the tire for either the headlight bulb or the fog light bulb.

Remove the upper and middle screws along the outer edge of the black plastic wheel well liner (A.K.A. "splash guard') by turning them counterclockwise with the 8mm socket and a 1/4" drive ratchet.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-007
Remove 2nd 8mm Screw
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-008
Two 8mm Screws Removed
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-009
Pull Back Splash Guard
(If you plan on replacing the fog light bulb, go ahead and remove the third screw at the bottom of the wheel well liner. If not, you can leave it in place and still easily access the headlight bulb.)

Set the two 8mm screws aside in a safe place.

Gently pull back the wheel well liner to access the headlight bulb housing.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-010
Round Black Plastic Cover
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-011
Twist Off Counterclockwise
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-012
Dust Cap Removed
Remove the round black plastic dust cover by turning it 1/4 turn counterclockwise.

Set the dust cap aside in a safe place.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-013
Low / High Beam Bulb
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-014
1/4 Turn Counterclockwise
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-015
Remove Old Light Bulb
Rotate the base of the old low/high beam bulb 1/4 turn counterclockwise before pulling it straight out of the housing.



 

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-016
Lift Up Retaining Clips
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-017
Pull Off Power Plug
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-018
Philips 9012 Halogen
Gently lift up the plastic retaining clip on the electrical connector before pulling it straight off the base of the old bulb.

Try to avoid touching the glass part of the new 9012 halogen bulb with your fingers or anything greasy in the engine bay.

If you do get the new bulb dirty, clean it with a paper towel and some rubbing alcohol.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-019
Electrical Connector
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-020
Empty Bulb Housing
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-021
Insert New 9012 Bulb
Push the power plug straight on to the base of the new 9012 light bulb until it clicks securely in to place.

Insert the new bulb in to the housing.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-022
New Bulb In Place
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-023
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-024
Replace Plastic Cap
Rotate the new bulb 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

Replace the round black plastic dust cover by turning it 1/4 turn clockwise to secure it in place.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-025
1/4 Turn Clockwise - Lock
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-026
Replace Wheel Well Liner
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-027
Tighten 8mm Clockwise
Push the wheel well liner back in to place.

Re-insert the two 8mm screws and tighten them in the clockwise direction until they are snug.

2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-028
Replace 2nd Screw
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-029
Test New Headlight Bulb
2014-2018-Jeep-Cherokee-Headlight-Bulbs-Replacement-Guide-030
Testing High Beam
Test the new light bulb by turning on the headlights and flashing the high beams.

As I mentioned previously, the "thump", "thud" or "clank" sound you hear is the normal noise the mechanical shutter makes when shifting the headlight from low beam to high beam and back.

It would be a good idea to park your SUV in front of a brick wall or a garage door with lines on it to make sure the headlights are aimed properly. If you need to just the aim, locate the aiming adjustment screw accessible on the top of the headlight housing. Use a Phillips head screwdriver to turn the adjustment screw clockwise or counterclockwise.

Be sure to record the headlight bulb change in your SUV's service records.

For more, check out all of my Jeep Cherokee DIY Repair & Maintenance Guides.
 

If you found this guide to be helpful, please consider making a small donation by clicking on the PayPal.com "Donate" button located to the right of this paragraph. Thank you!
(Note: I am not a registered charity. Donations are not tax deductible.)

Main Menu       Home       Digital Cameras

Misc. Pictures       Articles       My Blog

 

Copyright 2024 © PaulsTravelPictures.com
 All Rights Reserved ®

Paul's Travel Pictures is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.

Privacy Policy     About Paul & Author Contact Info