QuestionI have a 90 Lebaron Conv. The head lamp switch refuse to keep the lights cover open at first, and then all togther quit working. Flexing the dash panel would some times offer light at night. Now nothing works. I have removed the dash, which contains switchs and a a circuit board. Where can I find this/these part(s)? Should I replace the whole unit? Please help!
AnswerHi Nathan,
You might be able to get a new headlamp switch from Chrysler but it will be expensive. I would be inclined to look for a used one at a pull-it-yourself wrecking yard. While there are differences in the wiring of '90 vs. 91-95 LeBarons you could go to a dealer parts department and see if the switches for those years all had the same part number or not. That way you would know what years of used cars in the wrecking yard would have the same part number as does your car and you might not have to find a wrecked '90 but could 'go' for other years as well. The '90 was the first year of the redesigned instrument panel so nothing earlier will be of any use.
The other item that I would recommend you have is a wiring diagram manual for your car which also is specific for '90. In fact there is one such manual up for sale on eBay that closes in less than 4 hours:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Chrysler-1990-Service-Manual-Supplement-G-J-Body_...
It is fairly priced and shipped so if you intend to keep the car you should have the wiring diagrams. I have that manual myself and it is unique for '90.
As to what to do, I would go back to status quo ante and list exactly what wasn't working and what was, and what was strange, and try to diagnose whether the problem was the switch, its wiring, or associated parts of the circuitry.
If you get a new/used switch it may or may not solve the problem and there is also a chance that the switch that you have just has some dirty contacts that can be cleaned. But without going thru the details you won't know if that is a possible solution. The discriptive aspects of the headlamp system in other parts of the '90 manual is not too helpful with that sort of trouble shooting. But if you want to go thru exactly what didn't work and how it was behaving if at all I can look at my diagrams and give you a few tests/suggestions to try.
So I'll let you decide whether to bid for the manual on eBay, and then check with the dealership tomorrow on the question of switch availability/interchangeablility and price. Then please write back to see if we can get together on figuring out what to do when you have that information in hand.
Roland
