What is the 1989-1995 Chrysler LeBaron Chronic Overheating — Wrong-Rotation Water Pump (1989+) & Cooling System Neglect?

LeBaron overheating is common and one trap is unique to these cars: in 1989 the 2.2/2.5 switched to a counter-rotating (reverse-rotation) water pump driven off the back side of the timing/accessory belt, whereas 1980–1988 used a clockwise pump. Installing the wrong-rotation pump… Repairs typically run $120-$700. Severity: high.

What is the 1985-1995 Chrysler LeBaron Engine Controller Failure (Logic/Power Module, SMEC, SBEC) — No-Start / Stalling?

Early LeBarons use a two-box system (separate logic module in the kick panel and power module near the battery); 1988+ cars use the combined SMEC, and later cars the SBEC. The power-module/driver section is a known weak point: heat and vibration crack solder joints and fail the i… Repairs typically run $150-$600. Severity: high.

What is the 1985-1992 Chrysler LeBaron Turbocharger Bearing/Seal Failure (Oil Starvation, Blue Smoke)?

The turbocharged LeBarons (Garrett T3-based Turbo I and the higher-boost Turbo II) suffer turbo center-bearing and oil-seal wear from oil starvation at cold start and shutdown, and from coking when the engine is shut off hot without a cool-down. Worn seals let engine oil pass int… Repairs typically run $400-$1,500. Severity: high.

What is the 1985-1995 Chrysler LeBaron Distributor Hall-Effect Pickup Heat-Soak Failure — Intermittent No-Spark Stall?

The distributor pickup is a three-wire Hall-effect sensor that tells the engine computer the engine is turning so it can fire spark and injectors. These pickups are prone to heat-related, intermittent failure: the car runs fine cold but suddenly stalls once the engine bay heats u… Repairs typically run $80-$350. Severity: high.

What is the 1985-1995 Chrysler LeBaron Timing Belt Wear and Breakage (2.2L/2.5L/3.0L) — Stranding No-Start?

All LeBaron engines are belt-driven overhead-cam designs with a rubber timing belt that has a finite service life (roughly 60,000 miles). The Chrysler 2.2L/2.5L four-cylinder engines are non-interference designs, so a snapped or skipped belt leaves the car stranded but does not b… Repairs typically run $250-$750. Severity: high.

What is the 1985-1995 Chrysler LeBaron Coolant Temperature Sensor Failure — Hot Stall, Erratic Gauge, Hard Restart?

The two-prong engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor at the thermostat housing feeds temperature data to the engine computer for fuel mixture and to the cooling-fan and gauge circuits. When it fails or its connector corrodes, the computer mis-fuels the engine: the car runs rough… Repairs typically run $40-$180. Severity: medium.

What is the 1985-1995 Chrysler LeBaron Automatic Idle Speed (AIS) Motor Failure — Rough Idle, Stalling, Hunting?

Chrysler's throttle-body and MPI fuel-injection LeBarons use an Automatic Idle Speed (AIS) motor (idle air control) that meters air around the closed throttle to keep the engine idling and to catch the idle when the A/C compressor cycles or when the throttle snaps shut. The AIS p… Repairs typically run $60-$250. Severity: medium.

What is the 1985-1995 Chrysler LeBaron HVAC Blower Motor Resistor Failure — Fan Works Only on High?

The heater/AC blower resistor block that controls the lower fan speeds is a common failure on these cars. When it burns out, the low and medium fan settings stop working and the blower runs only on High (which bypasses the resistor). The resistor typically overheats and fails bec… Repairs typically run $40-$250. Severity: low.

Chrysler · Known Issues

1989 Chrysler LeBaron Problems: 9 Issues Every Owner Should Know

1989 model year · NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports · Updated July 2026

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According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1989 Chrysler LeBaron has 9 documented known issues, with 6 rated critical. The most serious are Auto Shutdown (ASD) Relay Failure — Cranks but Won't Start (No Spark/No Fuel) ($30-$150 repair), Chronic Overheating — Wrong-Rotation Water Pump (1989+) & Cooling System Neglect ($120-$700 repair), Engine Controller Failure (Logic/Power Module, SMEC, SBEC) — No-Start / Stalling ($150-$600 repair), Turbocharger Bearing/Seal Failure (Oil Starvation, Blue Smoke) ($400-$1,500 repair), Distributor Hall-Effect Pickup Heat-Soak Failure — Intermittent No-Spark Stall ($80-$350 repair) and Timing Belt Wear and Breakage (2.2L/2.5L/3.0L) — Stranding No-Start ($250-$750 repair). Across all issues with published estimates, repair costs range from $30 to $1,500. DIY maintenance guides at au7o.io.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Chrysler LeBaron problems?

According to Au7o's research across NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports, the 1989 Chrysler LeBaron has 9 documented issues. The most frequently reported are: Auto Shutdown (ASD) Relay Failure — Cranks but Won't Start (No Spark/No Fuel), Chronic Overheating — Wrong-Rotation Water Pump (1989+) & Cooling System Neglect, Engine Controller Failure (Logic/Power Module, SMEC, SBEC) — No-Start / Stalling. Of these, 6 are rated critical and should be addressed promptly.

Is the Chrysler LeBaron reliable?

The 1989 Chrysler LeBaron has 9 known issues compiled from NHTSA recalls, manufacturer TSBs, and owner forum reports. 6 issues are rated critical: Auto Shutdown (ASD) Relay Failure — Cranks but Won't Start (No Spark/No Fuel) and Chronic Overheating — Wrong-Rotation Water Pump (1989+) & Cooling System Neglect and Engine Controller Failure (Logic/Power Module, SMEC, SBEC) — No-Start / Stalling and Turbocharger Bearing/Seal Failure (Oil Starvation, Blue Smoke) and Distributor Hall-Effect Pickup Heat-Soak Failure — Intermittent No-Spark Stall and Timing Belt Wear and Breakage (2.2L/2.5L/3.0L) — Stranding No-Start. Prospective buyers should inspect for these issues and factor potential repair costs into their purchase decision. Regular maintenance following the manufacturer's schedule helps prevent many common problems.

How much does it cost to fix common Chrysler LeBaron problems?

Repair costs for known Chrysler LeBaron issues range from $30 to $1,500, depending on the specific problem and whether you choose DIY or professional repair. The most critical issue, Auto Shutdown (ASD) Relay Failure — Cranks but Won't Start (No Spark/No Fuel), typically costs $30-$150 to repair. Au7o provides step-by-step DIY maintenance guides that can help reduce repair costs.

What is the 1985-1995 Chrysler LeBaron Auto Shutdown (ASD) Relay Failure — Cranks but Won't Start (No Spark/No Fuel)?

The Auto Shutdown (ASD) relay powers the ignition coil, fuel injectors, and (via the fuel-pump relay) the fuel pump. When the ASD relay fails, contacts wear, or its connector corrodes, the engine cranks but gets no spark and no fuel and will not start; failure can also be intermi… Repairs typically run $30-$150. Severity: high.

All 9 Known Issues

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most common Chrysler LeBaron problems?

Is the Chrysler LeBaron reliable?

How much does it cost to fix common Chrysler LeBaron problems?

What is the 1985-1995 Chrysler LeBaron Auto Shutdown (ASD) Relay Failure — Cranks but Won't Start (No Spark/No Fuel)?

1985-1995 Chrysler LeBaron: Auto Shutdown (ASD) Relay Failure — Cranks but Won't Start (No Spark/No Fuel)#

1985-1995 Chrysler LeBaron: Engine Controller Failure (Logic/Power Module, SMEC, SBEC) — No-Start / Stalling#

1985-1995 Chrysler LeBaron: Distributor Hall-Effect Pickup Heat-Soak Failure — Intermittent No-Spark Stall#

1985-1992 Chrysler LeBaron: Turbocharger Bearing/Seal Failure (Oil Starvation, Blue Smoke)#

1985-1995 Chrysler LeBaron: Timing Belt Wear and Breakage (2.2L/2.5L/3.0L) — Stranding No-Start#

1989-1995 Chrysler LeBaron: Chronic Overheating — Wrong-Rotation Water Pump (1989+) & Cooling System Neglect#

1985-1995 Chrysler LeBaron: Coolant Temperature Sensor Failure — Hot Stall, Erratic Gauge, Hard Restart#

1985-1995 Chrysler LeBaron: Automatic Idle Speed (AIS) Motor Failure — Rough Idle, Stalling, Hunting#

1985-1995 Chrysler LeBaron: HVAC Blower Motor Resistor Failure — Fan Works Only on High#