Experiencing electrical issues in your vehicle can be frustrating, especially when they affect essential components like your car’s lighting system. For owners of the 2016 Chrysler 200, encountering problems with the headlights and taillights might raise concerns about the overall electrical health of the vehicle, and whether the OBD2 system, your car’s diagnostic port, is functioning correctly to identify these issues. Let’s delve into some common lighting problems reported by 2016 Chrysler 200 owners and explore how they might relate to your car’s OBD2 system.
One frequently reported issue involves the LED lighting strips in the headlights. Specifically, some owners have noted that the upper LED strip on the driver’s side headlight fails to illuminate entirely. This means the strip remains dark, failing to activate as a daytime running light or as part of the turn signal indicator. While the main headlight bulb, the amber turn signal, and the lower LED row might function correctly, the failure of the upper LED strip is a distinct problem.
On the passenger side, a different headlight LED strip issue can occur. While the LED strip may operate normally when parking lights or headlights are activated – lighting up white and properly signaling turns – problems arise during daytime driving with the headlights off. In these conditions, the passenger side LED strip may only partially illuminate, and in a rapid, fleeting manner. This inconsistent behavior suggests a potential electrical fluctuation or a fault within the LED driver circuitry for that headlight unit.
Adding to the lighting concerns, some 2016 Chrysler 200 owners have observed persistent illumination of the driver’s side taillight LED outline. This LED outline remains constantly lit, regardless of headlight switch position, and only turns off when the car is completely powered down. This constant illumination contrasts with the expected behavior and, notably, with the passenger side taillight. The passenger side taillight LED outline operates as expected, illuminating only when parking lights or headlights are switched on and remaining off otherwise. This discrepancy between the driver and passenger side taillights could indicate a wiring issue, a faulty relay, or a problem within the body control module managing the rear lighting.
When faced with these lighting malfunctions in a 2016 Chrysler 200, it’s natural to consider diagnostics. The OBD2 (On-Board Diagnostics II) port is designed to communicate vehicle system data, including fault codes that can pinpoint electrical problems. If you are experiencing lighting issues, connecting an OBD2 scanner is a crucial step. A non-functioning OBD2 port would prevent you from retrieving these valuable diagnostic trouble codes, hindering your ability to understand the root cause of the lighting problems. Therefore, ensuring your 2016 Chrysler 200 OBD2 port is working is the first step in diagnosing these electrical faults. If the OBD2 port is indeed not working, it will compound the difficulty in diagnosing not only the lighting problems but any other potential electronic issues within the vehicle.
To effectively troubleshoot these 2016 Chrysler 200 lighting issues, and assuming your OBD2 port is functional, you should:
- Check for OBD2 Error Codes: Use an OBD2 scanner to check for any diagnostic trouble codes related to the lighting system or the vehicle’s electrical system in general. These codes can provide specific direction for troubleshooting.
- Inspect Fuses and Relays: Consult your owner’s manual for the fuse box location and identify fuses and relays related to the headlight and taillight circuits. Check for blown fuses or faulty relays.
- Examine Wiring and Connectors: Visually inspect the wiring harnesses and connectors leading to the headlights and taillights. Look for any signs of damage, corrosion, or loose connections.
- Professional Diagnosis: If initial checks do not resolve the issues, seek professional diagnosis from a certified mechanic. They have specialized tools and expertise to further diagnose complex electrical problems and ensure your 2016 Chrysler 200’s lighting and OBD2 systems are functioning correctly.
Addressing lighting problems promptly is important for safety and vehicle roadworthiness. Starting with an OBD2 system check and proceeding with systematic troubleshooting steps will help resolve these issues in your 2016 Chrysler 200.
