Originally Posted by
philosophico
Your right, I gave the soldering a shot and failed. However, if I knew the part was only $200 to begin with, I would have just bought a new one from the start.
There is a post about a article autoweek did on these cars recently. It sums up the problem with this car, Chrysler nor MB want anything to do with this car, so trying to explain to them what part your looking for is like pulling teeth, they are clueless. A crossfire owner basically has to figure it out themselves.
Thankfully there is this forum that still contains alot of information with the usual problems that come along with the car and some solutions for it.
However, since im basically getting bulled, I'll just refrain from posting on this board as newbies aren't allowed to ask questions or make post without getting flamed it appears.
WHat you are not 'getting' is that the new part has the same issues as the old. Go read the threads on "stuck key" and you'll see. If the stuck key gets you, and you pay the $900 or whatever dollars to get it replaced, the problem comes back. If you do our mod, it NEVER comes back. My stuck key happened at 41,000 miles. I now have 97000 - I have driven the car farther on the "jimmy rig" fix than on the original part.
Same goes for the RCM, the flow of the solder on the board when shipped new is (as is often the case) very thin. Temperature fluctuations (which can be over 100 degrees in the module box, even with the fan working) cause fractures in the solder due to the different temperature coefficients of the solder, pins and board material. Buy a new board and it IS fixed. For now.
Or... spend $20 at the local radio shop to have it re-soldered and you are good to go. POSSIBLY the tech (like us) will flow enough solder to make it a long-term fix. If not, it's $20 to get it fixed again. BUt putting a new board in with the same weakness is no better fix, it only costs more.
You can get your feelings hurt, or you can learn from those who know more and are here trying to help. If you think you know more, fine. YOu don't need us.
BUt I will tell you something - I have a degree in electronics, I have my FCC license, my CET, 30 years in component-level troubleshooting. I have led teams of technicians, I have taught electronics, I have designed numerous RF devices and seen them built and work. I served as a consultant to two car dealers in GA on electrical problems that their service guys could not fix - yet, when 180 or Rudy or Rob or DJ (and many others) say "it is this way, Mark", I listen. Oh, I didn't at first, but I do now.
Even if I doubt them, in time, they are proven right. It does not offend me to read your posts, I am amused - because I know the mistakes you are making when you post things like "jury rig" or "band aid". You REALLY think that putting a new part in with the same weakness is better than addressing the weakness itself. You REALLY think that we are "missing it'. Fine, then why ask us a damn thing from here on? Why hang around the fools? We are hopeless and you can't help us. Good By!
So.....
Fine. Leave or stick around - no matter to me. But if you came here thinking you are gonna "set them right", you are deluded.