My first Crossfire meaningful drive was today, and it led to drama.

My sister's husband died a year ago, he owned a 2005 black (base, I think) Crossfire 6 speed manual for 18 months prior to his death.

The car sat for 6+ months. While settling the estate (sister to pay off and acquire the Crossfire), In fall 2024 I installed a new battery, checked the fluids, tire pressures etc, exercised the controls and accessories etc. The car was driven up and down the driveway a couple times and parked in garage for winter with battery minder (battery disconnected) waiting for first dry reasonable temp spring day. That day was today.

Today I checked fluids/pressure again, connected the battery, it started right away and we began to drive around the neighborhood to get acclimated to a clutch again. I was driving, sister was shotgun. We circled about 8 blocks and when I got to a stop sign, I stalled it by being too slow to press the clutch in.


It would not restart!


The fuel pump pumped, I could hear a relay click but the starter would not engage or crank the engine. The windows rolled down, but would not roll up. The seats moved both back and forth. The locks did lock both lock and unlock. The spoiler had previously been manually deployed but now would not move. The headlights, hazard lights and turn signals all worked and were all full brightness. All the normal fault lights that come on with in "on" or "accessory" position and engine off also lit up ok. Repeatedly trying to start the car again proved the battery was not the issue as the accessories kept working including the headlights. One mistake I made was I forgot to switch off the headlights after stalling so I couldn't understand why the bloody thing was beeping at me if I opened my door but not the passenger door. Doh! But I was still baffled why would the seats work but not the windows and this only after an engine stall. And of course in my frustration I was checking unnecessary switches such as the anti tow feature wondering just what all is a part of the interlock system. Some symptoms pointed to a battery and some pointed nowhere. I called for a tow and was told a 90 minute service wait. I had checked the battery connections twice already (tight and clean) and after waiting 60 minutes my sister started reading the owners manual. She got to the part about fuses and I thought what the hell I might as well look at the main fuse compartment box under the hood. When I unlocked that box and looked inside, holy crap does that look messy! Numerous wire harnesses laid over the top of the fuses and engine control module. I've owned six cars of different makes and none had factory rats nest on tope of the fuse blocks, always beside or underneath it.


Just for grins, I pushed down on each connector (did not unseat/reseat them), closed the box, said a prayer, hopped behind the wheel, turned key to on, heard the fuel pump and turned it to start. It started immediately! All because I sort of jiggled some wires. And the only instigating event was stalling the engine. I cancelled the tow, drove around her block and parked it back in her driveway. We went inside and had some cold beverages to calm down. I then restarted it a few times and then turned it around 180 to park in the garage for a couple weeks till I next can look at it.


Presumably I should actually reseat those connectors, confirm the use of dielectric grease and plan on checking/repairing or replacing the relay control module. I am a former ham radio operator so very comfortable with basic electrical troubleshooting and have good soldering skills. We waited months for our first driving adventure with this car. Adventure we got but not the kind we wanted.