Chrysler Repair: 04 Chrysler Sebring Fog Light Problem, fog light switch, infinite ohms

Question
QUESTION: My Fog lights stopped working on my 04 Sebring Convertible. The bulbs are fine and the wiring appears to be fine. The fuse for them is ok. Could it be the switch? The fog light switch pulls out on the end of the turn signal stalk, and only pulls out when the lights are on. I have read some posts where some say a metal piece inside the switch comes loose. I pulled the switch off the column to see if i could take it apart to check, looks rather complicated just to open the switch.

ANSWER: Hi Jim,
Have you checked the wires that are connected by the fog lamp switch to see whether the switch is working properly? I am working with the '03 diagrams which are probably applicable to you car. There is 12-pin blue connector that carries those wires on pins 11 and 12. So if you check the resistance or continuity you should find 0 ohm when 'on' and infinite ohms when off across those pins, after separating the blue plug/socket. If you want to do it by wire color, they are violet/red and light blue/white. Only after determining that the switch is the problem would I contemplate taking it apart. I don't have any info about how to do that. If the switch is ok, let me know and we can go through the wiring diagram to see why the fog lamps won't work.
Roland

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Roland,

Thanks for the quick response. The connector pins aren't numbered, but by going by the wire color im assuming these are the 1st and 2nd pins in the right column on the right plug receptacle on the switch if your looking at the back of the it. When off, I got infinite ohms, but when on I would get between 5k and 20k ohms. Value would vary between turning it on/off. Checking the continuity between 11 and 12, I would get nothing in either switch position.

Thanks, Jim


ANSWER: Hi Jim,
If the pins you are looking at on the blue plug socket and those associated with the wire color assignments that I listed then the measurements do suggest that the internal contacts of the switch are either corroded/burnt or oxidized or not making contact (though that latter would produce infinite ohm rather than some variable measureable reading). You could use some electrical contact cleaner in a spray can to squirt, using the straw applicator, so as to wet down the inside of the switch through any crack or openings and thus possible reduce that reading to closer to 0 ohms. If not, then either open and inspect/repair the contacts or buy a new multi-function switch. It appears that you have narrowed down the problem.
I am not sure about your last sentence. Is that a different measurement point? If you want to verify the rest of the circuit try jumping between pins 11 and 12 of the incoming plug, turn on the headlamps to check if the fogs are indeed coming on. If not, then verify that you are getting 12V on the wire of pin 11 which comes from fuse 13 and from the headlamp delay relay.
Roland


---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Roland,

I jumpered the blue/white wire with the red/white wire next to it on the plug and the fog lights came on, so it must be the switch. I really dont see any where on the pull out part of the fog light switch where i could spray contact cleaner into it. Maybe i can either drill a hole in the end of the switch, or maybe a hole in the plastic that shows when the switch is pulled out and spray cleaner into it.

Thanks, Jim

Answer
Hi Jim,
Sure, if you are going to otherwise replace the switch why not give that a try. You are most welcome. If you can ID where the actual contacts are located that would be the place to spray. Because of it being a convertible water may have gotten into the end of the stalk if that is where the contacts are located.
Roland