Chrysler Repair: 1990 LaBaron Convertible, side kick panel, water corrosion

Question
Hi Roland,

My 1990 LaBaron convertible has a problem with the headlights.  Sometimes they work fine, but other times they won't open.  This has been happening for a few years off and on, but we haven't found a mechanic who can explain or fix it.  Recently it has gotten worse and while the lights still come on,they will not pop open at all now.  Do you know if this is a common problem with this car?  Any helpful info will be greatly appreciated (especially by my husband).
Thanks!


Answer
Hi Lisa,
There is a motor that drives both doors which includes some gears that may have worn out. Listen by the grill while your partner turns the lamps on and off to see whether you hear any whirring sound from the motor. If you do, then the gears are probably stripped and you will need to get a new motor assembly or try to find one that works at a salavage yard. If you don't hear the motor operate, then it is an electrical problem. The power supply is via the circuit breaker under the dash in position #3 of the fuse box. That one also operates the electrical motor for the top and for the power seat if you have that. So if the top motor runs the circuit breaker is o.k. If not, then reset it and try again.
The other two components, other than the headlight switch, are the body computer located on the passenger side kick panel (just to the right of the passengers right shin; it has two 25-pin plugs, one natural, one black in color) and the headlamp door module located on the left side of the steering column under the dash (it us a sealed unit with a 10 pin black plug but only 6 wires). Sometimes water leaking in from around the windshield will drip on the plugs located on the top of the body unit and cause misbehavior of whatever pin/socket is shorted out. So you might want to take a look at the top of the computer and the plugs/sockets to check for water/corrosion particularly on the natural plug because the wires for the headlamp door controls are on the plug. You can buy some electronic circuit cleaner in a spray can to clean that plug and socket up and to evaporate away any water. If that doesn't correct things then maybe you need a new under dash module. But before buying that I would make sure that the motor is not getting 12v between the pins of the 2-wire plug near by to it when you turn on and off the head lamps. The polarity of the voltage should switch when you go from on to off and vice versa. If you get that voltage but the motor doesn't sound, then the motor is bad, otherwise if computer plugs have been cleaned I would suggest getting a new module for under let me know what you learn. It is good also to lubricate the pivots on the outboard edge of the concealment doors using some oil.
Please let me know how this is resolved.
Roland