Window tint didn't solve the radio problem, still can't see it. Will complain every time I take it to the dealer and plan on wrtiting to DC again too. Have e-mailed them and got the canned, "Talk to your dealer." reply. Dealer said "thats the way it is. no help.

 

I again e-mailed Chrysler about the LED Display, here is there replay!!!!

Dear John:

Thank you for your recent email to DaimlerChrysler regarding your 2004
Chrysler Crossfire.

I was sorry to learn of your dissatisfaction with your Chrysler
Crossfire and understand how this might cause you inconvenience or
concern.

The situation written about is a function of your vehicle's design and
is not a defect in materials, workmanship, manufacturing or factory
preparation. These are the only types of defects covered under the new
vehicle limited warranties.

Therefore, there is nothing that can be done to "fix" the situation
described.

Thank you for advising us of your concern and it will be forwarded for
possible future product planning.

I noticed that you just recently purchased your vehicle. Did you know
that we have accessories specifically designed for your Chrysler
Crossfire.

Because Mopar accessories are designed specifically for your Chrysler,
Dodge or Jeep vehicle, it ensures excellent fit, durability and color
matching. Mopar parts installed on a Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep vehicle by a DaimlerChrysler Dealer are warranted for 12 months/12,000 miles for
both parts and labor and you can feel safe in the fact that Mopar
accessories, properly installed by a DaimlerChrysler Dealer will not
affect your vehicle warranty.

If you are interested in adding accessories to your vehicle, I can
provide you with a $25 rebate coupon. Just click on the reply-to link
above to let me know, and I will send a coupon out to you.

For more information on Mopar and Mopar accessories you can visit us on
the Internet at www.mopar.com

Thank you again for your email.

NOTE: Please do not use the 'Reply' function of your email system. If
you have a need to respond to this message, please visit us at our reply form (link provided below). Our system is NOT able to accept any emails
at this address.

For any future communications related to this email, please refer to the following information:
REFERENCE NUMBER: 11627647
REPLY LINK: http://www.chrysler.com/wccsapp/wccs...KMM412498C0KM&


Sincerely,

Jeana
Senior Staff Representative
DaimlerChrysler Customer Assistance Center


Original Message Follows:
------------------------
Form Selected:
--------------
Category: US Customer Service
Brief Description:
------------------
Radio LED Display
Comments:
---------
I'm again writing you about my concerns of the Radio LED display. Last
time
I had mention it was very difficult to see the display in the daytime,
if
not impossible. I also want to bring to your attention, if you are
wearing
sunglasses, you cannot see the display at all. I have a Chrysler 300M
and
do not have this problem at anytime.

You must have tested the display in
Germany, where the sun does,not shine very much, however I live in
Florida
where the sun shines everyday and wear sunglasses all the time.

All
kidding aside, I hope Chrysler is addressing this problem, as all
Crossfire
owners are having the same problem. It really is a safety issue and
should
be addressed.

I hope Chrysler lives up to its obligation and "FIX'S"
this problem. The Crossfire is an excellent car, this one flaw should be fixed to the satisfaction of all the loyal Chrysler owners who continue
to
buy you cars year after year.

Thanks,

John

Sender Information:
-------------------
Title: Mr.
First Name: John
Middle Initial: P
Last Name: Hallis

 

Same answer everyone will continue to get until they are "forced" to do something about it...I'm NOT holding my breath.

 

This is a design defect and safety issue, not a product malfunction. Your printed response really ticks me off. I believe that we should consider a class action suit to remedy this situation. All we need is to use this site as a source of togetherness. What do you think? I am sure it would force a recall.

 

Um, anyone got a lawyer that will do it for free?

 

Below is a copy of my latest e-mail to Chrysler Customer, No-Service.
Let's see what happens!!!!

Good Morning,

Since it appears Chyrsler is not going to take any action to correct the probem with the radio LED display, would you please provide me the address, where I can send a letter directly to Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and President Chrysler Group.
Maybe if he is made aware of the problem and the discontent of Crossfire owners, something may be resolved. :evil:

Thanks,

John

 

As far as I know the radio is manufactured by Becker Automotive (a German subsidiary of Harman - just like Infinity).

It looks like an OEM-Version of the "Mexico CD" with the silver front design of the "Monza". A full OEM of the Monza would have been way cool because it has the DOT matrix display and is capable of playing MP3s :-).

Check: http://www.becker.de (available in English) -> "Car Hifi"

My guess would be that the upcoming navigation system will just look like the actual radio head unit because Becker already has such a device in it's portfolio:

It's called DTM 7803 ... just imagine the cover painted silver ... ;-). Although I personally would prefer to see an OEM-Version of the DTM High Speed 7913 ... it has more internal memory and a faster CPU.

Their have been complaints in German Forums already about the green displays. They seem to be not as good as the amber displays in daylight. But I guess that the DOT matrix display of the car navigation unit will still be better than the standard displays of the radio units now.

Also, usually Becker head units have a light sensor behind the little black tinted "window" in the middle of the top row of the buttons (between "OPT" and "CD"). So try to spot a flashlight on that and see if the display gets brighter.

I'll be on the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt (Germany) this week and will check if I can get any further information.

Buggy

 

Went to the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt (Germany) today and checked for the European version of the Crossfire.

It looks to me as if the European version of the car will have a better display in the radio. Unfortunately the fuse for the radio was taken out so I wasn't able to turn it on and check whether it is a DOT matrix display. But the appearance of the display looks very much like the typical DOT matrix display I know from similar Becker OEM-Units.

It's very likely that the display will have a light green backlight with dark characters that will be much easier to read.

I added pictures to my gallery so you can get an impression on what I'm talking about.

I'll keep you updated as soon as I get more detailed information. Most likely this will not be until after Oct. 11 which is the official release date for the Crossfire in Germany.

Buggy

 

Well, well. A solution is amongst us. Everyone needs to call their dealer and write to Chrysler to demand that the european radio be installed.

 

I read this discussion with interest since the radio display, or lack thereof, was one of the first things I noticed. My dealer was unaware but called the 'home office' and was told that the issue was 'noted." After reviewing this forum, I decided to just replace the head unit. I got a Sony CDX-MP70 which fit in nicely to the silver console and has selectable display colors. Believe it or not, the red display looks pretty cool. It also plays MP3 discs and has an auxiliary input, none of which are available with the stock unit. If anyone's interested, I'll take a photo and post it.

 

Take a picture if you can. I am stuck right now as to what I want to do for the stereo. I am a navigation junkie, and we have had it on 3 cars so far, so it's hard to live without. If I went with a single DIN navigation unit, I would miss seeing the large color map. If I went with a fold-out screen it would block the HVAC controls and not match the interior that well. If I just decided to go without the NAV I would look for a headunit that matched the interior best, that has an aux. input to plug my iPod into.

 

allen.brown
I would like to see a picture of the replacement radio that you put into your X-fire. I cannot stand the fact that I am unable to read the display on my standard radio and am looking for a replacement, since DC seems unwilling to do anything about it, this model year.

I am sure that next year's model will not have this radio display problem, but what will that do for us?

 

OK, you got it. I posted photos of the Sony unit while parked in the garage in the off, on, and cd eject mode. Also with green and white display, which probably look best.

 

Allen, is the black bezel/spacer/whatever-you-call-it around the outer rim of the unit a separate piece? Or is it permanently attached to the main body of the unit? I'm asking because that unit looks pretty nice in your pics (thanks for posting them, by the way), and has the AUX input that I really want, but that black outer ring bugs me. It looks like it should be easy to paint, from the pics. Does that appear to be the case in person, too?

Cheers,

Greg

 

The black trim is a separate piece. There are probably silver finished pieces available or it could be painted. At the place I installed it, they had a drawer of spares, but none that I liked. Maybe Sony has some available.

As far as the auxiliary input, you'll have to run a wire out behind the console somewhere with a jack. I've thought about stubbing it out (no pun intended) in the ashtray, since I don't smoke. Also, the stock sound system has a separate amplifier somewhere, so we had to take the Sony output back to line level with an adapter before sending it to the amp.

Still doesn't have navigation or telephone interface, but it's much, much better...

 

Added a photo with the dash lights on with green display...

 

Not bad. I would buy some touch up paint from Chrysler to paint the surround of the stereo the same color as the rest of the dash.

 

the paint from chrysler would probably cost more than the radio..

Checked a couple of places and there should be silver Sony bezels, trim pieces or whatever they're called. I agree silver is better, but I'd rather have integral color.

 

:x I agree that this is a total factory flaw. I also live in Florida, Amelia Island, and even have difficulty reading the display in my garage. If anyone has a soultion please advise. I woulds like to write to the consumer complaint area of Chrysler - is there a best e-mail address?

 

Okay, everyone keeps bashing the display. But, let me make one quick point, if I may:

Yeah, its not the easiest thing in the world to read, but why are you even looking at the radio display??

Clock isn't there.
Radio station: Program buttons or scan, who cares what it says.
CD: Track Number?!? Pointless.
Bass/Treble: Adjust it till it *sounds* right, not till you see some number you have a esoteric fondness for.

Stop looking at the what the radio says, and watch the road instead (must more intertaining).

Okay, my one defense of the stereo... bash away.