Hi,
Two days ago my Crossfire didn't start, it didn't even crank.

After reading about the common problem with the RCM module I decided to take it apart and repair it.

The Relay Control Module is famous to have bad soldering, and that was exactly what I found.

I have documented the work here:
2005 years Chrysler Crossfire: Locate and removing the RCM module

I'm not sure yet that it will not come back later. But if I fixed it I saved a couple of hundred Euros.

/Lars

 

As always very good documentation and instructions. Thank you for the input and interesting homepage!
I do have an unrelated question pertaining to car batteries. A few years back here in the USA batteries were available that could last as long as ten years. ( I have just replaced one from Sears, a Diehard, that lasted ten years) They were premium, so you paid for what you got, but now when I go shopping for automotive batteries the best I can find are 48 month and most are 36 month warranted. These new batteries stop functioning very near their warranty period. I think the manufactures could make the batteries as in the past, but have decided they make more money with the faster turn-over of their stock and also environmental regulations may play into their ability to produce a product that has those longevity characteristics. Have you had a similar experience with replacement batteries there in Europe?

 

Hi,
Thanks for the nice comments about the homepage.

In Sweden where I live the warranty for my latest Bosch battery are 3 years. But to get that warranty you have to take care of the battery as a baby. The Crossfire take a bit too much Amps when resting, that get me in trouble in the winter when I'm not using the car. After about three weeks it's very hard to start. Other modern cars behave like that too, but a bit better I hope.

But I'm sure if I had put my battery in a real old car I could have used it another 5 years after the warranty. It's just that modern cars are so sensitivy about the voltage. It's not only the starter that need power, the computer system and the injection system tacks a lot of Amps too. Too low voltage from the battery and the engine will not start.

ps.
I read about your car, 74mm trottle body, special built or ?

/Lars

 

Yes, understood the increased demand of the new automobiles on the battery. I suspect a drain on the battery and low voltage has caused damage to modules. Non the less the Vartas batteries that came with the Crossfire from the factory lasted much longer than those available now as replacements.
In reference to the 74mm: It is an upgrade that you can easily do yourself. To take full advantage of the greater air flow through the throttle body I also have installed a matching 74 mm MAF housing and Needswings cold air intake. The 74mm throttle body came from a M113 Mercedes engine. Click on the following link for more information 74mm upgrade

 

Hi,
Exiting,
If I take apart my engine in the future this is something I shall look at. The 74 mm is not very difficult to find as an used part I think. And you didn't even have to reprogram the controlunit.

Nice instructions, thanks a lot !

/Lars