Engine shut down - no warning!
Engine shut down - no warning!
I was driving '05 Crossfire Convertible and stopped at a traffic light. Engine went dead. Removed ignition key and then tried to restart engine. All dash lights went on, including emergency flashers, but no cranking, no click, nothing! Could not restart engine.
Pushed car out of traffic lane, called for a flat bed to tow to dealer. When he arrived about an hour later, we tried to start the car one more time and it started first try - like nothing was wrong....but this was the third time in two years that this same thing happened. First time I had car towed to dealer and they could not reproduce the no start problem...but after three episodes I am worried about getting rear ended one day. Any suggestions?
UPDATE: Chrysler tech have had my car for entire week with no ideas on why the no start. Claim the RCM OK. Would I be better off at a Mercedes service center? Any suggestions welcomed.
Thanks
Pushed car out of traffic lane, called for a flat bed to tow to dealer. When he arrived about an hour later, we tried to start the car one more time and it started first try - like nothing was wrong....but this was the third time in two years that this same thing happened. First time I had car towed to dealer and they could not reproduce the no start problem...but after three episodes I am worried about getting rear ended one day. Any suggestions?
UPDATE: Chrysler tech have had my car for entire week with no ideas on why the no start. Claim the RCM OK. Would I be better off at a Mercedes service center? Any suggestions welcomed.
Thanks
Last edited by Chaiks1; 03-28-2015 at 07:06 PM. Reason: Not getting problem solved at dealership
Re: Engine shut down - no warning!
Well other than flashers coming on.. and being that far intermittent - Relay control module. Click on the red text on my signature for full information. If the solder joints shown any signs then you can pretty much bet that has been the problem. (Video RCM)
Re: Engine shut down - no warning!
I would check the solder joints yourself. It's easy to look at. Get ready for $1200 from the stealership. Buy a soldering iron if you don't have one and some solder. $20
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Re: Engine shut down - no warning!
Well it's your money.. they will probably run diagnostics etc. just to tell you "it's fine". Even if you point out what you have learned from the RCM thread odds are they will just nail you with a dealer price for a new one. I don't think they take the 10 minutes to actually "fix" something when a new part is just a phone call away.. LOL
Re: Engine shut down - no warning!
( DJ = tighed1 )
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Re: Engine shut down - no warning!
Whatever you do, get your car back from Chrysler....they are clueless to this problem. The board has cooled down and solder has shrunk back onto the points. They can't reproduce the problem without running the car till it builds up enough heat to cause the solder to expand away from the points and loose contact, which they won't do. They just hook up their Diagnostic machine and read the results.
Pull the board (refer to link below) and locate the 3 soldered pairs like Doc showed above. If you can't solder yourself, find an electronics repair (TVs, Stereos) locally and have them resolder it. Or send it to DJ (tighed1) who will repair it and test it. If you buy a new RCM, it will eventually develop the same problem and you'll be back to square one with having to get it re-soldered...!
https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...-no-start.html
Pull the board (refer to link below) and locate the 3 soldered pairs like Doc showed above. If you can't solder yourself, find an electronics repair (TVs, Stereos) locally and have them resolder it. Or send it to DJ (tighed1) who will repair it and test it. If you buy a new RCM, it will eventually develop the same problem and you'll be back to square one with having to get it re-soldered...!
https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...-no-start.html
Last edited by syfi; 03-28-2015 at 08:01 PM.
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Re: Engine shut down - no warning!
1) The engine cant run, because the PTCM isn't fully powered.
2) The starter cant engage, because the PTCM is not providing an enable to the pulse module.
Either replace or repair the RCM. The "Chrysler techs" cant find this because they are not experienced with the Mercedes line, which is KNOWN for this problem AND because this involves REAL electronic troubleshooting - and garage "technicians" aren't trained in that. You took a Mercedes to a Chrysler dealer, bad move.
Resolder the RCM yourself OR find an independent shop KNOWN for their Mercedes experience and pay them ANYTHING they want to get your car going. I suspect they will want to replace the RCM and this will cost you around $250 plus labor of $75 to $150.
Or just order the part from the sources the gentlemen here have told you about and change it yourself. IT really IS easy - like plugging in a bunch of Christmas lights or setting up a home sound system.
Last edited by pizzaguy; 03-28-2015 at 08:22 PM.
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Re: Engine shut down - no warning!
I suppose I should add that we are troubleshooting your car without seeing it. Our statements are based on experience - it COULD be that you have a screwy battery, loose battery terminal, or any of about a dozen other problems.
But experience has shown that the solder connections on the RCM cause this and a few OTHER issues. The RCM is a weak spot in this car and many in this "family" of Mercedes products. Which, again, is why taking the car to a Mercedes shop is a good idea. And taking it to a Chrysler dealer is a bad idea.
But experience has shown that the solder connections on the RCM cause this and a few OTHER issues. The RCM is a weak spot in this car and many in this "family" of Mercedes products. Which, again, is why taking the car to a Mercedes shop is a good idea. And taking it to a Chrysler dealer is a bad idea.
Re: Engine shut down - no warning!
Well it's your money.. they will probably run diagnostics etc. just to tell you "it's fine". Even if you point out what you have learned from the RCM thread odds are they will just nail you with a dealer price for a new one. I don't think they take the 10 minutes to actually "fix" something when a new part is just a phone call away.. LOL