Spoke too soon...looks like electrical issues
So I use to have a Jeep and swore up and down that I'd never buy a Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler product for the fact that they seem to have many electrical issues (I know, I hate stereotyping but I'm bitter about the old Jeep)...but since the Crossfire isn't 100% Chrysler I figured I'd be ok, until recently. Been having some weird issues on start up.
So I start the car and am buckled up but the seat belt light continues to flash. Also, the radio is not on and the homelink garage door opener will not work. After anywhere from 10 seconds to 2 minutes the air bag light FADES from off to on then off again, then (since I have aftermarket wheels without the TPMS stems) my air bag light comes on as well as the radio and everything else returning to normal. Tried a search through the forum and haven't come across anything too similar to this. Anyone heard of anything?
I'm thinking a bad relay somewhere, but thats a pure stab in the dark.
So I start the car and am buckled up but the seat belt light continues to flash. Also, the radio is not on and the homelink garage door opener will not work. After anywhere from 10 seconds to 2 minutes the air bag light FADES from off to on then off again, then (since I have aftermarket wheels without the TPMS stems) my air bag light comes on as well as the radio and everything else returning to normal. Tried a search through the forum and haven't come across anything too similar to this. Anyone heard of anything?
I'm thinking a bad relay somewhere, but thats a pure stab in the dark.
How old is the Battery? Search "electrical probs" or "battery" in the forum, and you will see that a weak battery will cause all types of probs. Good luck!
I have 5 Chryslers at the moment and (at least 3 others in the last 7 years) none of which have had any electrical issues, or any other qualtity problems. So there is hope.
Start with the free stuff first.
Start with the free stuff first.
- Check the battery (and connections)
- Check the ground (drivers side fender)
- Fuse block - pull fuses, check for tightness and corrosion, replace.
Originally Posted by TulsaXFire
... I'd never buy a Dodge/Jeep/Chrysler product for the fact that they seem to have many electrical issues ....
...but since the Crossfire isn't 100% Chrysler...

In any event, if your battery is 3 or more years old - change it. Period. Do not pass "go", do not collect $200, just change it. NOW.
THEN...
If you still have problems, the troubleshooting can begin! (Post 3 would be a good start.)
Originally Posted by pizzaguy
Not 100% Chrysler? Just what IS Chrysler in/about a Crossfire? 

NOTHING about this car is Chrysler except the body DESIGN. Parts are MB and the body is stamped by Karmann and then assembled by Karmann in Germany by Germans, so any problems are NOT Chrysler related at all---maybe MB but not Chrysler. My window sticker says 0% American parts and 80% German.
That said pizzaguy is correct changed the battery if it is over three years---PERIOD!!! All cars have too many systems running on 12 volts. Just like when cars went from 6 to 12 volts, cars have needed to step up but have not---I think they will some day. Since so many systems and accessories are running, a STRONG battery is a MUST---start here first. Even if the car STARTS fine, the battery may not have enough reserves to power everything else properly.
That said pizzaguy is correct changed the battery if it is over three years---PERIOD!!! All cars have too many systems running on 12 volts. Just like when cars went from 6 to 12 volts, cars have needed to step up but have not---I think they will some day. Since so many systems and accessories are running, a STRONG battery is a MUST---start here first. Even if the car STARTS fine, the battery may not have enough reserves to power everything else properly.
Last edited by JimmyJames; Jul 6, 2010 at 10:56 AM.
Originally Posted by JimmyJames
NOTHING about this car is Chrysler except the body DESIGN.
I agree with the others. Get your battery checked.
Originally Posted by RapidFire
Wasn't the body designed by an Englishman?
I agree with the others. Get your battery checked.
I agree with the others. Get your battery checked.
"The new Chrysler Crossfire combines expressive American design and personality with technology, performance and proportions ideally suited for Europe and other international markets.
The Crossfire, which was designed and developed by Chrysler Group’s USA-based Advanced Vehicle Engineering team, is built in Germany in collaboration with Karmann, one of the world’s leading full-service suppliers to the motor industry."
Not sure if an Englishman worked on the Advanced Vehicle Engineering team or not----very well may have. My point was the ONLY thing that is USA-based was the design team for the body. Everything else is German. So the blame for any electrical problem should there be one will go to MB.
At this time I own all mopar products, 5 to be exact, well maybe four since the x-fire is not Chrysler. I will have to say you have a bad taste in your mouth for Chrysler electrical systems, but thus far I still have to have any electrical problems in any of them. Own a 68, a 2001, a 2004, a 2005 SSB 6, and a 2010, and only have had very minor problems thus far not electrical related. I do think that all car companies have their issues, it not just one brand anymore look at Toyota, Ford had problems, Generous Motors has problems, so this can go on and on, with all cars. Todays cars have so many electronic modules and such that it causes the battery to wear out faster, and start causing all kinds of strange stuff when they start to fail or getting weak, even if the battery checks out good. This is one reason why the car companies want to go to a higher voltage system, to handle the electronics load on the electrical system. So yes start at the battery, any x-fire battery older than three years or more NEEDS to be replaced.
Originally Posted by RapidFire
Wasn't the body designed by an Englishman?
I agree with the others. Get your battery checked.
I agree with the others. Get your battery checked.
Originally Posted by Thirteendog
Yeah it was Dyson I do believe.
The two-seater arrived in 2001 as a concept car designed by Eric Stoddard[3] with further refinement by Andrew Dyson[4] before beginning production in 2003.
My question is were they part of the US Design Team?
EDIT:
While at the Chrysler Headquarters and Technology Center in Auburn Hills, Michigan, Eric worked under Don Renkert to design the Chrysler Crossfire Concept [1][2] released at the North American International Auto Show in 2001. Eric went on to become the lead exterior designer of the production model of the Chrysler Crossfire under Andrew Dyson[3].
Eric was also the lead exterior designer on the Dodge SRT-4 as well as a contributing designer to the Chrysler Pacifica, 2003 Dodge Viper and Chrysler Sebring.
Last edited by JimmyJames; Jul 6, 2010 at 12:17 PM.
Originally Posted by kingkub57
... any x-fire battery older than three years or more NEEDS to be replaced.
Originally Posted by JimmyJames
Not sure if an Englishman worked on the Advanced Vehicle Engineering team or not----very well may have. My point was the ONLY thing that is USA-based was the design team for the body. Everything else is German. So the blame for any electrical problem should there be one will go to MB.
I think that on average the battery can last for five years from its date of manufacturing, after that you are running the risk of annoying electronic troubles and it should be replaced as cheap insurance against any problems.
Last edited by onehundred80; Jul 6, 2010 at 01:08 PM.
Take it from a guy who has owned a couple dozen MGs (Lucas Electrics) and Fiats (Marelli electrics)...Chrysler products have nothing to apologize for when it comes to electrical problems...
Originally Posted by greenie
Take it from a guy who has owned a couple dozen MGs (Lucas Electrics) and Fiats (Marelli electrics)...Chrysler products have nothing to apologize for when it comes to electrical problems...
The headlights were almost non existent and were a step back to the dark ages. Moving from my LHS and Concorde to the Crossfire was literally like night and day in terms of the headlights. Apart from the electrics the cars were twice the car the 300 is.
Last edited by onehundred80; Jul 7, 2010 at 09:22 PM.
Originally Posted by greenie
Take it from a guy who has owned a couple dozen MGs (Lucas Electrics) and Fiats (Marelli electrics)...Chrysler products have nothing to apologize for when it comes to electrical problems...
Originally Posted by JimmyJames
Too funny---you have to love positive grounds!!!!!
LMAO A lot of MG people changed their "positive" grounds to negative on MGs,. to defeat the Lucas "positive" problems. We used to call the Lucas electrical systems "the Prince of Darkness", because of the problems.......
Originally Posted by IBLUBYU
LMAO A lot of MG people changed their "positive" grounds to negative on MGs,. to defeat the Lucas "positive" problems. We used to call the Lucas electrical systems "the Prince of Darkness", because of the problems.......
Last edited by JimmyJames; Jul 8, 2010 at 05:35 PM.
Sorry for the delay on the update...work has been, well, full of work. So first things first
1) Everyone who suggested a new battery, 5 pts for you. Popped the hood yesterday and the lovely Daimler Chrysler name on the battery told me enough to change it...being that I have a 2004.
2) I didnt mean to ruffle any feathers with the insult regarding my Jeep, which we called Ol Sparky. Just a bad apple!
So again, thanks...
1) Everyone who suggested a new battery, 5 pts for you. Popped the hood yesterday and the lovely Daimler Chrysler name on the battery told me enough to change it...being that I have a 2004.
2) I didnt mean to ruffle any feathers with the insult regarding my Jeep, which we called Ol Sparky. Just a bad apple!
So again, thanks...


