I need your help with a technical series of questions. Please forgive the length of this input but I felt you needed all the details to assist. To give you some background my panic button did not work. I am amazed that the dealer has now started cannibalizing one of their new 2007 coupe to help solve the problem.

Prior to today the following actions were taken:


We used the RF sensor to check the signal from both my key fobs. It was totally acceptable and working correctly.


We checked all wiring for continuity and shorts.


Two Sentry Key Remote Entry Modules (SKREEM) modules were put in. The first had the wrong VIN programmed into it by Chrysler. The second was OK.


The Central Locking Pump/Security System Module (CLS/SSM) was replaced. The CLP/SSM sends signals to the Body Control Module (BCM) via the Controller Area Network (CAN).


The Body Control Module (BCM) was replaced twice. In neither case were we able to program the BCM. The service manual states this must be programmed. We now have the original BCM back in the car.

We are still unable to program the original one and we were unable to program the one in the cannibalized Crossfire in that vehicle. This may interest ALL crossfire owners. Chrysler’s tech support knows about this problem with their computer system but the Crossfire and cargo van from the Mercedes merger has zero priority. So pray you do not have an electrical problem that requires programming of the BCM. Their suggestion was to slow the CAN down by removing ALL the modules on the CAN and then attempting to program the BCM. I can’t tell you how man hours are required to do this and replace them for something that may not work.


Today


We took the Siren out of their car and it squawked like crazy using the built in battery and it should have. We then removed mine and it did not make a sound. We put mine in their car and theirs in my car and their car sounded like the “An old Man or Bird on Crack”. Their siren in my car worked when I opened the door through the window after it was locked but DID NOT work with my panic button. This was the original problem 9 weeks ago.


We ordered a new siren and a NEW key to see if the panic buttons on both FOBs were broke. They are paying for all these parts.

I really know the module systems real well now.



Here is my question:


Does anyone have any suggestions to get the BCM programmed?

 

1.

Turn the ignition off.
Disconnect all jumper wires and reconnect all previously disconnected components and connectors.

Note: If the SKREEM or the PCM was replaced, refer to the service information for proper programming
procedures.

If the Body Control Module was replaced, turn the ignition on for 15 seconds (to allow the new BCM to learn VIN)
or engine may not start.
Program all RKE transmitters and other options as necessary.
With the DRB III

Are any DTCs present?
YES

NO >> Repair is complete.


It actually states the BCM should self learn, But the key fobs need to be reprogramed. At least that is my take on it

 

Thanks GDC-SRT

I wil try this on Monday at the dealership. I'll let you know what happens.

 

The body verification procedure did not do anything to solve the panic button issue. We are still waiting for the new key to arrive. We replaced the siren yesterday. By the way I did notice that we may have some misinformation in regards to the siren. Their is NO siren module per say like there is a Body Control Module or the Power Control Module. etc. The siren looks like a siren rather then one of the traditional modules mentioned above. I am betting on the key as being the problem at this point.


It was interesting with the key. Chrysler required that the key to be replaced to be returned. I found this interesting.

 

Well the siren was replaced and I now have a chirp when I lock/unlock. Here is another interesting fact on the no panic alarm syndrome. When we take a siren from another car it goes off like it should (running on battery)but as soon as we put it in my car it goes dead and does not work. There are no shorts or low battery voltage.

If any one is a crossfire mechanic can you tell me if the Body Control Module can be programed or has been programmed to not recognize an alarm/siren? Is there an on/of switch in the program?

Also we are still unable to program the BCM. Once again could a mechanic please tell me how they do this step by step. All I get is a failure notice after about 2o secs.

Thanks

 

Sorry two more questions.

1. Is the Controller area network (CAN) a fiber optic cable? Where is it located?

2. Has anyone had to replace this network? If so why?

Thanks

 

The CAN network is a differential signaling scheme using two electrical wires with no ground (this is similar to RS-422).

There's no way to replace the CAN network. The CAN network is a point-to-point network and therefore is only a logical arrangement. The physical CAN bus nodes are the various control units contained in the car.

 

Thanks SONORONOS. That was great info and it leads me back to being unable to program the Body Control Module. Chrysler has resorted to not returning the dealers phone calls. I guess if they don't have an anaswer or don't want to deal with the issue they just ignore it.

Thanks again.

 

The BCM should be programmable with a DRB-III. If your dealer doesn't have one, you'll have to find someone who does.

 

If the Body Control Module was replaced, turn the ignition on for 15 seconds (to allow the new BCM to learn VIN)
or engine may not start.
Program all RKE transmitters and other options as necessary.
With the DRB III

 

Just confirmed the following:

On the 2007 XFire you can not program the Body Control module with the DRB III. The DRB III will work on the 2005/6. On the 2007 you must use the STARSCAN with a CH9427 green cable through the port on the driver's side. I am not sure if this is the case with the 2008. So I guess NOT all XFires are created equal.

The WITECH system does not have a program for the Crossfire.

 

Always a fly in the ointment!

You would think Chrysler would know what they have done, as they updated the system

Perhaps Benz would know more?

 

Interesting to know Hawk Monster, I definitely did not know that!!

 

Sonoronos Mercedes was very polite when I talked with them and stated they only work on cars that have a mercedes emblem. I am now trying to find another Chrysler dealer to program the BCM. I am willing to pay the $125 for them to program it. I have located one about 1.5 hours from my house and they said they would do it BUT now the orginal dealer who has 44 hours into the car would not release the BCM to the other dealer to be programed. This is the same dealer who CAN'T program the BCM but states the BCM needs to be programed to make the panic button work. Waiting for a call back from the Service manager who is also one of the owners. You can bet that I will never purchase another Chrysler.

 

To the best of my understanding here is the real problem with the panic button not working on my 2007 Xfire as best as I can piece it together after 9 or 10 weeks. Ater a new key did not fix the problem yesterday, the service manager/owner then called two other dealerships to see if they really could program the Body Control Module (BCM) as they had told me. One of them a 5 Star dealer, told me they could do the change requested. When he talked to them as I understand him they were not able to program it any better then he could. They have the same equipment as them. Chrysler tech and engineering support had mentioned the same problem earlier to the mechanic. They (dealers) can only remove and replace the modules. This is what we have been doing for weeks. He also called two Mercedes service managers and they would not program the Body Control Module for him.

I got the distinct feeling after hearing him talk that there is now a shortage of real Crossfire certified mechanics left in the dealerships in the area. As time moves on and people change jobs and there is no replacement training for future mechanics, we are going to need to be more proactive in learning the Xfire systems. It may reach the point that self analysis may be necessary to solve complex problems.

The inop Panic button problem appears to have been caused when the car was orginally made in Germany. Somehow the panic button was switched to the off position in the programming of it the first time. This does not effect the dealers from removing and replacing modules because the communications network (CAN) and the modules are self correcting. The modules gather information from other modules and sensor polints via the CAN to program themselves. However, there is one BIG issue that may effect other cars. For 2007 cars at least Chrysler dealers are unable to change the basic program once it has been set at the factory. I do NOT know if it is true for older cars or newer cars. As you can see this may be a bigger problem then the panic button not working. It may not have gotten much press in this forum before. Perhaps other people can shed more light on this issue or assist with more capable research or insight.

 

Sounds a little depressing, And I believe you are correct about certified techs.

From what I can tell many dealerships have even sold their crossfire tools.

This could be a real headache for us, as these cars are very technical, with all the different modules inter-connected.

A good reason to keep this forum alive, as there is a great number of very bright members,

Who constantly try new things, and find great answers to problems.

A Thank You goes out to all of these fine people.

Keep us posted Hawk!

 

Next installment. I brought the car in to have my oil changed today. It took 25 minutes just to reset the FSS and then the only way to make it happen was with their StarScan computer. This may also be connected with the Body Control Module. We think that perhaps the car is not electronically registering that the key is off/out and therefore they are unable to get a panic button or manually reset the FSS. Both require the key to be out and off.

I talked with the service manager/owner today and he told me the head engineer who worked on the orginal design for Chrysler had retired but he still works as a consultant for them. Chrysler is going to bring him in to research the problem and then in June send a field engineer out to work on it.

The reseting of the FSS is interesting.

 

I have reset mine twice, once when the dealer forgot after a 160$ oil change and then when I did my own oil service last spring. The FSS is not a slam dunk reset, its touchy and it takes a few tries. I can remember getting very frustrated with it but in the end I won. Sounds like there is definitely something going on with yours. Did they try and reset it the way its designated in the owners manual?

 

Hi Pat

Yes they even gave me a copy of the instructions from the service manual. They could NOT get it to work without the computer assistance.

 

Have you heard of lemon laws? Good luck though and let us know the outcome.