How to Change the Headlight Switch on a 97 Jimmy

A damaged or defective headlight switch in your 1997 GMC Jimmy may pose a serious safety concern and restrict your ability to drive at night, or during severe weather conditions. Although the headlight switch is used to operate electronic lighting circuits, the components inside the switch are mechanical and subject to wear.

Instructions

Turn off the ignition, place the transmission in the P position and open the hood.

Disconnect the black battery cable from the negative battery terminal, marked with a "minus" sign, using a wrench.

Remove the two screws securing the gauge cluster bezel to the upper dashboard pad, located above the speedometer, using a Phillips head screwdriver.

Detach the bezel from the dashboard using your fingers. The bezel extends from the headlight switch to the radio and climate controls. Once the bezel is completely separated from the dashboard, examine the rear portion of the headlight switch.

Disconnect the horizontally oriented, rectangular-shaped harness connector connected to the rear of the headlight switch. Depress the small connector clip to aid the disconnection.

Disengage the two retaining tabs securing the headlight switch to the rear side of the bezel using a small flat-head screwdriver; push the switch through the front side of the bezel to complete the removal process.

Examine the connection terminals on the harness connector for damage and severe oxidation. If the harness connector appears undamaged, disregard this section.

Peel the existing electrical tape from the harness. Cut and strip 3/8-inch of insulation from each wire for the harness using a pair of wire cutters; twist the strands of each wire to prevent frays.

Splice the wires from the replacement harness connector to the corresponding color-coded headlight switch wiring using butt connectors and a pair of wire crimps.

Wrap electrical tape around the headlight switch wiring to protect the crimped connections.

Insert the replacement headlight switch through the front side of the bezel. Make sure the switch is secured within the rear retaining tabs of the bezel.

Connect the harness connector to the rear of the headlight switch.

Replace the two instrument cluster screws and reconnect the negative battery cable to finish the installation process.