I mentioned a few days ago that I was making a deal for an '07 Limited coupe, silver with autostick. Well, I flew to Michigan Tuesday to pick it up. Other than two weather airport delays, all went smoothly--to a point. I paid for the car (Monroe Dodge, Monroe MI) and hit the road south. Got about 60 miles to Findlay, OH and pulled off I-75 for a cup of Wendy's chili. Went back to the car and nothing. No power from the battery at all.

I called the salesmen who handled the transaction (Tim O'Brien--nice guy) on the chance I wasn't massaging the security system correctly, but nothing was working, not even the interior lights. He called for a tow from the Chrysler Care people. When it showed up, he wanted to try jumping the car, and with my trepidition about hauling the car up on the truck, I reluctantly agreed. Plus the temp was 14 and falling like an anvil. To my surprise, it worked, and he followed me to the local Chrysler dealer (Treadway) where we left it at the overnight drop-off area. Then he took me to a local motel that looked reasonable and waited to be sure I was settled in before leaving. Another nice guy.

Next morning the dealer said the battery was the culprit. The car was built about 18 months ago, and it probably ran pretty low and then suffered in the 10 below weather they have experienced lately. They replaced the battery, and two headlights they claimed blew in the jumping process (though I drove there with them on--don't understand that). No charge at all. The salesmen from Monroe called me several times the previous night and next morning to be sure that everything was being handled, and even said to send him the receipt for the motel and if Chrysler didn't pay, they would.

So, for a little inconvenience, I got a new battery, so I drove south a bit later than planned, but no worse for wear. I am really enjoying the car so far and would recommend Monroe Dodge and Tim O'Brien if any one is looking. They have several more Crossfires awaiting adoption.

BTW, nearing home, I was listening to the radio and what should come on but Stevie Ray Vaughn's tune, "Crossfire." Would you call that a case of carma?

 

Good karma you ended up here, welcome and glad you made it home. The problem with a lot of our cars was they sat on lots for quite some time before they were purchased/delivered. Mine was built in May of 04 but not delivered to me until July of 05 with 300 miles on it. So that means it sat on a dealer's lot for quite some time before I got it. Fortunately (KOW) I haven't had any real issues with the car, going on 4 years and 10,000 miles this coming July. You will love your car, not a day goes by that it doesn't put a big smile on my face.
Pat

 

You were right down from the road from me. I was working in Findlay till 6:00 before heading back to Lima, glad to hear that they got you taken care of. Hope you enjoy your Crossfire.... they really are great cars.

 

Congrats!.... Tried the NAV yet?

 

Actually, no nav in mine. It wouldn't have been much of a test if it did--I drove from the dealer about 8 miles, turned south for 330 miles, exited and drove about three miles to my house. Usually when they say "you can't miss it," you can, but not in this case.

From what I read in this forum, the nav feature is not such a loss anyway, being kind of clunky to use. I will be moved someday to research the aftermarket offerings, but I really don't mind opening a roadmap from time to time. I suspect that nav units can interject some weirdness into finding your way around. For example, the tow truck driver called me on my cell as he neared my location. I told him the exit to take from the interstate, which way to turn, how far to go, and what to look far. Instead, he used his "Tom Tom" and got royally lost because it told him to go elsewhere. I don't want to be that guy.

Or, maybe that's my excuse not to learn how to use yet another electronic wonder.

 

Glad everything worked out and the Michigan folks treated you right. They really are a good bunch up here - just kinda frozen right now.

You probably want to make sure the oil was changed recently (should use Mobil1 0W-40) and run some gas line antifreeze through it since it sat so long, to remove any possible condensation. Then some nice long high speed runs.

Enjoy.

 

Lights blew from jumping the battery? Don't fuses prevent that? lol

Hope nothing else blew...

 

Yeah, like I said, after the jump I drove to the dealership using the headlights! But, I didn't want to argue or delay my departure, (and it didn't cost me), so I picked up the car and split. Never got to talk to the service manager in person, only over the phone.

I do remember reading somewhere that jumping these cars was problematic, but I need to do some more research.

All's well that ends well, I guess.

 

There has to be something screwy about those headlights. My car had 91 miles on it and the headlights were blown. The dealer had replaced the battery twice and the alternator once. I read somewhere that the main electrical (big amperage from the battery) had a bad connection on a whole batch of these cars (Heinrich was on acid that day) I think my dealer finally figured that out. As I remember it was a road test by a periodical that pointed this out.

 

Congrats on your new ride and that's awesome how well the dealership took car of you and the car! Enjoy the ride!

 

Isn't great when people help people without $$$ motive! While crappy that you couldn't just enjoy the ride home in your new car - at least you got treated well, congrats on your car - and welcome again to the forum