Chrysler Repair: Headlamp dimmer switch: 91 5th Ave., headlamp switch, electrical plug

Question
i have a 1991 chrysler fifth avenue the lights wont come on unless you pull the dimmer switch towards you and hold it then the doors open and and the lights come on but the minute you let go the lights go out. is the dimmer switch in the column or under the dash. or is this the dimmer switch or something else, thanks in advance if you have the answer


Answer
Hi Marty,
What you have working there is the "optical horn" (the momentary high beam flash so long as you pull the dimmer lever toward you). That part of the headlamp circuit by-passes the headlamp switch and is not dependent upon it. The regular low/high beam circuit does go thru the headlamp switch and then to the dimmer switch (to the left or right is low or high). There are two possibilities: the headlamp switch has a built in circuit breaker which may have failed by not resetting, or the actual dimmer switch part that operates the low or high beam has failed. You can check at the headlamp switch (remove the bezel and remove the retaining screws to access the switch and its electrical plug). You will find a light green wire on pin "H" which should have 12V on it when you pull the switch to the full headlamp position. If not, then the switch has failed. If so, then I would go to the dimmer switch, verify that the 12v is getting there on the light green wire and then examine the switch to see if there is any chance of repairing the switch contacts which they would be suspect. Both the optical horn and the headlamp switch are supplied by the same fusible link, so if you have the optical horn the headlamp switch is also being supplied from the same direct from the battery pathway.
Roland