Chrysler Repair: Plymouth Neon 2000, plymouth neon, headlamp switch

Question
When my husband starts the car eveything seems ok until he shuts off the ignition.  The parking lights will not go off.  He has tried everything like disconnecting the radio, the battery etc (we originally thought it was a battery problem so we purchased a new one).  It has been very snowy and bitter cold in our area could this have something to do with this light problem.  Help he is driving me crazy!

Answer
Hi Barbara,
I don't have knowledge of the wiring system of the Neon, but my suspicion is that the electrical relay that controls the current for the parking lights is stuck in the "on" position and needs to be replaced. There may be a relay block somewhere in dash area inside the car where the relay is located, but other than that I can't give you specifics.
The relay is controlled by the headlamp switch, but once it gets stuck in the 'on' positon the headlamp switch has no further ability to shut it off. So you might go to a Chrysler/Dodge dealer parts counter and ask them for the price and location of the parking lamp relay. They have computized parts drawings that will allow them to look up where the relay is located or you can ask the service manager. You may be able to then just pull the old relay out of its socket and plug in a new one to solve the problem. The other possibility is that the headlamp switch is failing to shut of the current to the relay actuator, but that is more complicated and more expensive, so I'd try the relay first.
Roland