2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Dims wont turn on

[AfterBurner]

A little more than half the time that I go from brights to dims, my dim lights don't come on (quite a shocker when its suddendly dark!). The driving lights will come on, but the headlights won't. If I click back into high beams a couple times the dims will usually turn on again. Ideas?

Forrest

 

[Thomas]

It's most likely the multi-function switch.

One thing to also check is the integrity of the wiring at the multi-function switch. The tilt function of the steering column has been known to loosen the connector at the multi-function switch.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Ditto on the multifunction switch, mine did that for about a year until it finally died completely and I had no headlights at all.

 

[dresslered]

Has anyone found a good source for the multifunction switch or are we stuck getting robbed from the dealer? My low-beams went out completely while driving up to the mountains this weekend and I had to jerry-rig my quad highbeams so that I could continue on with only two lamps burning.

 

[Turbo Tim 1]

Bought mine at Auto-zone, it even had the Chrysler insignia on it, it was the exact same thing only cheaper.

 

[dresslered]

I ordered one at Napa yesterday and it is due in today for $78.

 

[Thomas]

Ouch! It looks as though the dealer is actually cheaper than Napa, even on the MSRP:

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=3 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=titletext align=middle colSpan=4>Part Number Search Results : OEM Catalog </TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ff9933 1px solid">Item Number</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ff9933 1px solid" align=right>MSRP</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ff9933 1px solid" align=right>Core Price</TD><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ff9933 1px solid" align=right>Price</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext vAlign=top>4728424</TD><TD class=tabletext vAlign=top align=right>$72. 70</TD><TD class=tabletext vAlign=top align=right>$0. 00</TD><TD class=tabletext vAlign=top align=right>$52. 65</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext colSpan=3>
Steering column Shroud switches and levers Switch Pulse wipe


</TD></TR><TR><TD class=tabletext style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ff9933 1px solid" align=middle colSpan=4>Add to Cart Contact Us </TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


Almost all online D/C parts sellers use the same search engine. It appears that these dealers are able to input some number to arrive at their own price. http://allchryslerparts.com/ almost always beats the competition - if you can afford the wait time.

 

[cruiser_2]

Make sure you check the wiring on the column. I have repaired 5 or 6 of these problems now and you are right that the tilt function pulls on the wires until the cause the pins in the connectors to break. DC does not have a repair kit with pins so you can repair the connector. A good clue is the fact that the connector is discolored at the large red wire.

 

[dresslered]

Thomas,



It's great having all these online links for even better prices. However, even with the $78 I spent at Napa, I feel extremely lucky for not having to fork over the $$$ that my local Dodge dealers would have charged.



Upon replacement of my fualty switch, the back side of the housing was completely melted/burned due to a poor internal contact connection (yes, it was at the low-beam contact position). The new switch looks exactly the same, but the feel in the switching mechanism feels so much tighter than the original one ever felt. The real fix would be to have this contact run a relay circuit as my high-beam contact does to limit the current seen by the switch.

 

[Thomas]

Somehow I thought you had wired both high & low circuits with relays when you transplanted the Sport headlamps.

I feel extremely lucky for not having to fork over the $$$ that my local Dodge dealers would have charged.

I thought the MSRP of the multi-function switch in my post was less than the Napa price.

 

[dresslered]

Thomas, your dealer price was definitely less than my Napa price but what I was saying is that my local dealers would have been waaaay more than all.



My quad set-up uses three relays and three separate fuses to control only the high beams. I had left the low beams stock. Would I do it differently if I were to do it again..... yup. :-laf

 

[Thomas]

I got it !