PT Cruiser Switch Help

Can anyone tell me how to purchase a replacement bulb for both my rear
wiper switch and my rear defroster switch on my 2002 PT Cruiser? I've
removed the bulbs (easy to do as they simply unscrew with a quarter
turn), but the Chrysler dealer tells me the bulbs aren't sold by
anyone, including Chrysler. It's a pain not being able to see my
switches at night. Any help on a part number or source is greatly
appreciated.
Mike Berger

 

Is there some kind of number of the base? The ashtray bulb on my
Plymouth Voyager is a "special order" item at the dealer, while they
have them in stock at my local NAPA store.

As the PT Cruiser has been out for five years, I would think that they
would be available on the aftermarket by now.

-Kirk Matheson

 

There is no listing for the bulb in the catalog, take the bulb out and see
if there is a number on it. Maybe the dealer can match it up with what they
have in there stock or try an after market supplier

Glenn Beasley
Chrysler Tech

 

I suppose you have to replace the entire switch, eh? Good scam, that.

You can go to any electronics distributor and get 12 volt bulbs that
have leads, rather than a base, and simply solder them into the
switch. For that matter with Christmas coming up, 12 volt clear
christmas tree lights (the small mini lights) will work, assuming they
are not too big.

Ted

 

Same thing with the power window switches. Two lights have burned out on my
PT's power window switches, bulbs internal and the whole unit has to be
replaced. All car mfg'ers do it. I had a '93 Lumina and the HVAC switch
lights gave out and the whole unit would have to be replaced. For US$157, I
didn't do it.

It is a very good scam.

========================================

 

they are available in the salvage yards

 

If you have a bunch of dash and switch lights burning out then check your
system voltage, perhaps your regulator is a bit high. Your vehicle
electronics like your radio and car computers and such won't be
affected because their power supplies are built to handle it, but light
bulbs are vulnerable, and too high a system voltage will make them
burn out quite quickly. If your bulbs are getting black inside then
that's an indicator of too high a voltage.

The lightbulbs that are internal to switches are almost always soldered
in bulbs, and I've changed them before after getting the switch out and
carefully disassembling it.

Also keep in mind that the reason the automakers don't stock these
bulbs is because the automakers themselves buy the entire switches
from suppliers, the suppliers custom design the switches for size and
shape and have Chinese manufacturers make them. Those manufacturers
will buy whatever components like light bulbs from other Chinese
manufacturers and who knows what nomenclature they use to specify
them.

Any good electronics distributor will have a catalog with pages and pages
of pictures of light bulbs in it with various voltages and shapes and
sizes.
Take your old bulbs with you and order some replacements if you can't
get them from a local auto parts store.

Ted

 

Hi...

Sounds to me like the perfect place to use led's. Tiny ones that
could easily be stuck in place with a drop of expoxy.

Virtually free, virtually no power consumption, virtually no heat, and
last forever and ever.

Whatever you do though, don't forget that led's - unlike incandescent
bulbs - do have polarity. And the ABSOLUTELY need a resistor in
series with them.

Take care.

Ken

 

I would use a hot glue gun for a switch, epoxy is hard enough that
it doesen't have any give in it.

Excellent idea, you want the super bright LED's though. Pay careful
attention to the max milliamps the LED is able to carry, if you exceed this
the LED will get hot.

Here's a website that will tell you the correct resistor:

http://metku.net/index.html?sect=view&n=1&path=mods/ledcalc/index_eng

For a red or green LED running 10milliamps and 12 volts you would use
a 1K ohm resistor. Most auto systems run higher than 12 volts so make a
bit of allowance.

Ted