Safety Warning
DIY auto repair can cause serious injury, fire, or vehicle damage. These guides are for informational purposes only. Always follow OEM torque specs, wear PPE, and consult a certified mechanic if you are unsure. You are solely responsible for your safety.
2002 Chrysler Neon LE, AutomaticFACTORY OEM SERVICE PROCEDURE
Panel Dimmer Open
NOTE:
After making any repairs, perform BODY VERIFICATION TEST
under VERIFICATION TESTS.
- Turn ignition off. Connect scan tool to Data Link Connector (DLC). DLC is located on bottom of instrument panel, to left of brake pedal. See Figure . Turn ignition on. Using scan tool, clear Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTC). Turn parking lights on. After 10 seconds, rotate dimmer switch through full range. Recheck DTCs. If PANEL DIMMER OPEN is displayed, go to next step. If PANEL DIMMER OPEN is not displayed, DTC is intermittent. Monitor scan tool while wiggling wiring. Check for Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs). Check wiring and connectors.
- Turn ignition off. Turn parking lights off. Disconnect 26-pin instrument cluster connector, located behind left upper instrument panel. Check voltage between instrument cluster connector terminal No. 6, panel lights dimmer signal circuit and ground. See Figure . If voltage does not exist, go to next step. If voltage exists, repair short to voltage on wire.
- Disconnect 20-pin multifunction switch connector, located under upper steering column shroud. Using ohmmeter, check resistance of panel lights dimmer signal circuit between instrument cluster connector terminal No. 6 and multifunction switch connector terminal No. 8. See Figure and Figure . If resistance is less than 5 ohms, go to next step. If resistance is 5 ohms or more, repair open wire.
- Using ohmmeter, check resistance of panel lights dimmer ground circuit between multifunction switch connector terminal No. 7 and ground. If resistance is less than 5 ohms, go to next step. If resistance is 5 ohms or more, repair open wire.
- Reconnect multifunction switch connector. Using an ohmmeter, check resistance between instrument cluster connector terminal No. 6, panel lights dimmer signal circuit and ground. Observe ohmmeter display while rotating dimmer switch from low to high. If resistance increases smoothly from zero ohms to about 3500 ohms, replace instrument cluster. See INSTRUMENT CLUSTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION in ANALOG INSTRUMENT PANELS article. If resistance does not increase as specified, replace multifunction switch. See MULTIFUNCTION SWITCH under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION in STEERING COLUMN SWITCHES article.
Factory Service Tools
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When to See a Mechanic
Stop DIY work and contact a certified mechanic immediately if any of the following apply:
- • You smell fuel, burning insulation, or see smoke.
- • Brakes feel soft, pull hard to one side, or make grinding noises.
- • The engine overheats, stalls repeatedly, or misfires under load.
- • You are missing required tools, torque specs, or safe lifting equipment.
- • You are not confident in the next step or safety outcome.
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