Well today starts the 5th week our car has been at the dealer, and they still haven't been able to locate the problem. They've replaced the crank sensor, tried a new engine control module, ordered two new keys because it showed them that it wasn't reading the code from the old ones, and nothing has worked.
Chrysler has been of little help, and they've even called 2 Mercedes dealers, but they're quick to point out it's not "ALL" Mercedes.
The service manager wants to get the car out of his shop because it's taking up valuable time and space that his excellent Viper/Crossfire tech. could be spending on something else more profitable.
The fact that I didn't buy the car there doesn't help matters either. I purchased the car from a dealer in Kentucky. But even if I wanted to take the car back there I couldn't, because they're out of business.
When I spoke to the service manager yesterday, he seems as frustrated as I am, and not at all happy that my car decided to "break" just 5 days before the 3/36 warranty expired. But what good is a warranty, when Chrysler can't tell the dealer how to fix your car? Just imagine if this had happened on my way to or from the Dragons Tail GTG. That's the last trip I actually took the car on before I put it away for the winter.
So if there is anybody out there in "Forum Land" who has any possible suggestions of what could be the problem with our car, the technician who's working on it isn't too proud to listen. That just goes to show ya what kind of guy he is.
This is what happened to my car. It was stored for 4 months, when I went to start it, it didn't have enough "juice" to turn over, but the lights would work. I put my battery charger on it for a 1/2 hour, and it started right up. I pulled it out of the garage and let it run for about 5 minutes, then I coasted down my driveway. When I pulled out onto the street, I ran it up thru 1st. gear, but when I pushed in the clutch the motor quit and I coasted off the road. When I tried to start it again, it would start right up, but it wouldn't respond to any input from the gas pedal, and then it would simply shut off in a few seconds. That's what it is still doing today. They ordered me a new battery, because the old one would fail to hold a charge.
The tech. says he thinks it has something to do with the Skreem Module in the security system, but neither Chrysler or Mercedes has anything in their data base on how to order this part.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Mike

 

I think charging your battery may have damage the computer. Having had a few Benzs I'd ask them a Benz mech.about charging battery and if that caused it ! They have a sensor protector that could also been shorted by the charging. I had a 190E do that from a charger.

 

Not saying it could not happen from a bad charger, but *IF* if does happen from a bad charger chrysler still has to

a) be able to figure it out (in warranty)
b) point without a doubt to a bad charger
c) fix the problem in warranty because unless you connect the 110 directly to the car, as long as a battery is connected the computer protection circuits should be able to protect the car/computer electronics.

Not all that said: I do personally not believe you can really damage the car with a charger just so long you do not have a short in the charger and you literally connect the 110 directly to the battery. Even the most simplistic chargers, (just a transformer and some diodes) in combination with the battery cannot produce a high enough voltage to damage your electronics. The whole situation will change if you connect a cheap charger and have your battery disconnected. THAT can screw up your electronics royally.

 

I didn't mean it's a bad charger, I meant you're not suppose to charge these cars electrical systems! You must remove battery first charge up and reinstall. My 2 cents. Check owners manual.

 

A 'normal' standard charger should never create that problem, nor do you have to disconnect your battery. Otherwise how does your battery get recharged? You have one of them devices right in your car (called alternator) which also, if you disconnect the battery, can create serious trouble, because unchecked the alternator output can quickly reach 18V and higher.

Disclaimer: I have not checked the manual if Chrysler recommends disconnecting the battery, but in all reality this is not important either. AS I said before, as long as your charger is not faulty, AND you have the battery connected this should in no way damage any electronics in your car. Thats why they are car electronics and not PC's

 

Mike,

Check here:

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...=mystery+start, Post #24.......fuel pump relay.

You can buy me a bourbon if that's it.........LOL.

Dan

 

I'm just relaying a possibility from pass experience and reading through MBenz and Jaguar owners manuals. I would take it to a Benz mechanic. Not a MB dealer.

 

Mike,
This stinks about your car.
Other than having another dealer look at it (or at least another set of trained eyes), I'm not sure what to do.

As far as the battery chargers/tenders go; a lot of manuals say not to 'jump' them or put chargers on them, but I've not heard of any issues such as this.
Personally, I remove my battery while the car is in storage and hook it up to a tender, but that is beside the point.

They might need to replace the PCM/ECU, if they haven't done so already.

Best of luck.

PS - To get your XF fix, just steel Rick's when he's not looking.

 

Mike

Since it happened when you pushed-in the clutch, I would check the clutch pedal safety switch. A bad or intermittent switch will act like you have no battery power, like trying to start the car without the clutch pedal pushed-in....

Also what is the Chrysler diagnostic equipment picking up for clues? As far as the security module being bad, anything is possible, but you would think that you wouldn't be able to start it at all.

 

Mike, I just met a guy who is a MB trainer. I bought a couple of items from him on Craig's list. He really liked the Crossfire. He told me he knew of it , but never took a close look at one. He was fascinated with my car, and told me "oh yes, this is all SLK" He offered to provide answers if I ever had a question regarding technical issues. I will send him your post, and maybe he can shed some light for you.

 

Thanks everybody, I'll pass these suggestions along to Kevin the Crossfire technician. Hopefully something will pay off.
Who knows, if somebody here on the forum comes up with the solution to the problem, maybe Chrysler will acknowledge it by calling it the, oh I don't know... let's say........."The Danimal Procedure".

 

Unless your alternator has a bad diode array, there shouldn't be any problems resulting from "charging" your battery. From an electronics standpoint, your battery shouldn't affect the system like that.

 

When it comes to the Crossfire I am usually looking
That's not to say I couldn't be distracted by the Viper though.

and yes this does stink about Mike's XF, scariest part about owning one used to be how expensive it might be to get it repaired, but 5 weeks and still no clue is almost unbelievable.

After I posted I went back and read the thread danimal was talking about, sounds like a great suggestion. Hope it pans out for you Mike

 

Mike - Have you passed along any of these tips to Kevin. If not, I can drop by his house tonight with the information from danimal. I talked with him briefly on Sunday and I think that he said that he is now having problems with your plugs fouling. I know that he feel terrible about your being without your car for so long and would accept any and all troubleshooting advice. Whatever I can do to help.

 

I posted this on the other thread, but here it is again. I suggest anyone having problems go to the Mercedes Benz SLK 320 forum, and join. Identify yourself as a Xfire owner. They were extremely helpful when I asked questions, and I found many of our problems were also their problems, but already solved because of the age of their cars compared to the XFire.

Sorry, I do have the link available for that forum.

It really does sound like a ground/battery problem or a problem with the anti-theft system.

I am editing this to reflect two MB forums. You might use the search feature to see if the problem is listed:

1. http://mbworld.org/forums/Index.php

2. http://www.benzforum.com/forum/

 

Mike,

I'm so sorry to hear this has Drawn out to over 5 weeks now without an answer! I would be fit to be tied!

I hope this week with the Forums Help, you and Kevin can get it resolved, it's a Real shame.

My Best to you & Say Hi to Beth,
Bill

PS Got the Video, thank you so much, haven't Looked yet, but Soon.

 

Well, I guess I should change the title of this Thread:
If you store your car for the winter, this could happen to you.
I just heard from Kevin (the technician working on my car) and he finally found the problem.
It turns out, the muffler was packed full of DOG FOOD!!
It seems that a mouse or mice took up residence in our garage and found the muffler of the Crossfire an excellent place to call home.
So if you store your car for winter, ya may want to "PLUG" those giant exhaust tips, because they must look like the Grand Entrance to an expensive "German" Spa and Resort.

Now my next question, Does anybody have a "STOCK" Crossfire muffler they want to sell. I'm perfectly happy with the way the Crossfire sounds from the factory, so I really don't want to go aftermarket.
One more thing, If you live anywhere within a 200 mile radius of Klaben Chrysler in Kent Ohio, and you need something repaired on your Crossfire, I don't think that you would be able to find a more dedicated, or expert technician than Kevin.

 

Sorry for the razz but that is too funny. Next winter I will be covering my exhaust tips. It is really good advice. Glad everything is ok now.

 

LMAO!! That is great, glad they found the prob. It is really strange that the service manual does not list this as a common issue. I thought every manufacturer has a dog food muffler section in their books.

 

Wow. That is surprising.
I usually stuff paper towels in the exhaust tips before storage (making sure the exhaust is cool).

Did you have a cover on yours? Just curious since the Mopar ones have a thick piece that covers the exhaust.

Glad the problem was found.