QuestionWhen I turn off the car, the headlights turn on. I can turn them off by cycling the high beam switch 1-6 times, or by cycling the ignition switch a similar number of times.
If I set the parking brake, there is no way to turn off the headlights.
AnswerHi Ron,
I think I know how these strange gremlins relate to oneanother, but I'm not sure of the fix. The only thing that would turn on the headlamps, other the headlamps switch, is the headlamp delay relay system which is designed to keep the headlamps on after you shut off the engine for about a minute to provide exterior lights until you head away from the vehicle. It is moderated by the body control module which is a centralized controller for all sorts of lighting and other functions related to the body wiring. Even the parking brake switch position and the ignition key position are also monitored by the body control module. All these items are located together, I suspect, inside the car, perhaps under the left side of the dash in around the fuse box (also now called the Junction Block), but because I don't have the manuals for the vans or experience with them I am limited in my expertise. I wonder if you might have a water leak just above the body control module which has dripped down onto its electrical plug-ins where all the wires associated with the circuits I mentioned come together. When those plugs get wet they can short together circuits that otherwise shouldn't be. At least that is what we learned about the body controller when it is mounted in a convertible body in a position to be so-affected(on the passenger side cowl under the windshield frame).
So I guess that is the first place to begin: the body control module and its plugs (usually two or three, maybe 15-25 pins in each) on the top side. It also sometimes is the source of all the "bells and whistles" that sound from time to time so you might find it audibly. Once you find it you can demount it so that you can inspect the plugs and sockets for water/debris/corrosion and maybe get a spray can of contact cleaner from an electronics supply store and clean these up. The cleaner will evaporate and take any moisture with it.
Your use of the term "gremlin" is exactly correct...we use it all the time among the LeBaron and Sebring convertible owners!
I base this suggestion on the wiring diagrams for the '96 Cirrus/Status, which ought to be similar to your van's wiring.
Please let me know if this is helpful. I would be interested to know what you find.
Roland
