Consumer Complaint Detail

PLYMOUTH / VOYAGER / 1988

Recalls
0 Injured
Investigations
0 Death
Complaints
Yes Fire
Components - Details
NHTSA Complaint Number: 998076551 Incident Date: Dec, 03 1998
Consumer's City: JUNEAU Consumer's State: AK
Vehicle Transmission Type: Manufacturers Name: Chrysler (FCA US, LLC)
Model Name: VOYAGER Model Year: 1988
Vehicle Involved in a Crash: No Component's Description: Exterior lighting:headlights:high/low beam dimmer switch
Vehicle Involved in a Fire: Yes Persons Injured: 0
Vehicle's VIN#: 2P4FH21K0JR Date added to File: May, 23 2021
Date Complaint Received: Dec, 10 1998 Complaint Type: IVOQ
Incident Reported To Police: No Purchase Date: Apr, 30 1997
Was Original Owner: No Anti-lock Brakes: No
Number of Cylinders: 0 Date of Manufacturer: -
Was Vehicle Towed: - Description of the Complaints: While operating the vehicle with the headlights on, a burning smell developed. this was followed by increasingly visible plumes of smoke which eventually impaired driving visibility. flame was visible briefly. after disconnecting the battery positive cable, it was determined to be a class c fire as the smoke and fire diminished. the vehicle operated normally as long as the headlamp switch was not turned on. upon examination by an automotive electrical specialist, it was found that a spring on the dimmer switch used as a variable resistor had separated from the switch housing making contact with the frame of the dash assembly causing a dead short to ground. as the spring was electronically resistive by design, it glowed to a bright orange igniting combustible materials around the switch. the local dealership for the afore mentioned vehicle was contacted. the parts department was not aware of any mandatory or voluntary recalls or service bulletins. however, they knew that the headlamp switch was upgraded with a solid state dimmer component (p/n 56021889-aa).