This car means the world to me. I need advice before I try to sell. I have had a couple good guys advize me before and I appreciate each letter you typed but my issue still continues. Has anyone ever attempted to contact Eric Stoddard who was with Karmann and had something to do with the X-fire's design. I need to speak with him...lol, pretty sure he is in China. I think it is ashame that Chrysler has no answers.

For a month now my 2004 coupe has a mind of it's own. It will start when it wants to. Somedays I can get in, start it...no problem, other days I can not get it to turn over but all the dash lights work. The "check engine" light came on but next day it was off. Somedays it will run and start and restart just fine. When it doesn't restart I can wait a while and then it seems by a shear miracle it will turn over. When computer checked it show no bad sensors. I am confused along with Chrysler.

So far I see that this is a common problem with the X-fire. I have done RCM Soldering. It seems to always start after I have been in touch with the circuit board. The same thing is still going on. I am not a mechanic just someone that loves their Crossfire. Just want advice before I have to start replacing every little sensor.

I will appreciate any input!
Thanks.
martell12

 

Battery needs replacing? If original I'll bet that's a good place to start, and then maybe the crank positioning sensor, but my bet is the battery

 

Gosh I miss my eyesight. please type in a larger font . Have you changed out your battery?

 

LOL
It had me looking for that big magnifying lenses they sold in the old days to put in front of 10" TV screens so they looked a massive 14".
But I guess it got thrown out with the bunny ears.

 

If the car won't turn over (or "crank") I'd think the RCM is the problem. Re-soldering usually fixes it.

But if you car has the original battery, replace it NOW, if it is NOT the problem, it's going to BE a problem. O'Reilly's had one that meet the specs for $89.

The Crank Sensor can set the light, but not always. If the light comes back on, go to Advance Auto and get them to read it (they do this free of charge).

In any event, you are describing a bad RCM.
Contact tight1 on this site, see about getting an exchange RCM from him!

 

I think the car will crank over with the RCM issue but will not start sometimes.
There has been trouble cranking caused by bad connections at the battery, grounding and battery cables that are corroded, some times the corrosion cannot be seen.
I would take a stab at a new battery, if it is old and new cables. If the solenoid on the starter clicks when not turning over it could be a starter or solenoid issue.
There was a mention of a huge fuse that was not making good contact, that's in that black box near the battery I think.

 

Okay and thanks for the input. Do you really feel like the battery is the issue? Even though the engine doesn't turn over all electrics work. I thought about the crankshaft position sensor....so all-in-all, just replace everything. Much appreciated. Already did a resolder job on RCM..no help.

 

Yes, start with considering replacing the battery. Is it original?

 

I think there are two things that commonly go wrong with the RCM, based on what I've read here:

1) Bad connection that causes the starter to not engage. (So you get nothing but a bunch of dash lights).
2) Ban connection that causes the fuel pump to not run. (So the car cranks over, but does not start).

I think there are other failure modes, but not as common as these two. I also think it's bedtime for Pizzaguy.

 

Eric is currently in California. He just recently returned from a couple year stint in Korea where he did the design for the Hyundai Genesis. Eric is a member of this forum, and he drops by from time to time. Contacting him would not do you any good with mechanical questions though, as he did the design.... not the engineering.

Here is a link to his current website. Speed Studio Design

 

The RCM does not have a relay in it that would stop the engine turning over that I can see.
The starter motor system is a simple piece of wiring The battery, a starter solenoid operated by the ignition switch and a starter motor. The engine fuse (200 amp) is in that circuit. When there is a bad connection or a faulty cable the power or not enough power, does not get to the starter motor.
I would check that system out.
We have not really had a good description of what can be heard when it does not crank, any clicks etc.

 

Dave, what are you doing wearing bunny ears...........something we don't know about or maybe something we don't want to know about?

 

True, the corrosion can form on the inside plates as well over time too.

I did what I thought was a good job fixing my rcm but ended up sending it to Tiged1 to get it done right...oh do the horn of all time mod too when you have it out

Pooly

 

Hey guys, thanks. pizzaguy asking what type of noise does it make when I try to restart engine. I get just a noise like the engine is trying but no clicking or dead battery drain. I, believe-it-or-not do recognize some sounds. It started this morning like always. Then when I take it out , cut it off and go back to restart..it won't. yes, the battery is the original.

 

YOUR BATTERY IS 18 GAZILLION YEARS OLD! REPLACE IT!!!

 

Yea, I know. and I will replace the battery but I feel like there is much more of an issue than depleted battery. Just trying to figure out before I replace everything. Thanks for your opinion! advice is always welcome.

 

Well the battery is one of the cheapest and easiest parts to replace, not to mention it is typically the cause for many of these issues. You need to replace it anyway, so go ahead and do it. Report back with findings.

 

'LIKE THE ENGINE IS TRYING'
Does it turn over just like it would when it starts, or just slowly or does it just move a little and stop?
It may be clear to you, but the description is still vague to me. Help us out here.

 

If the engine dosent crank and wont start (duh!).... it is likely the RCM

If it cranks and wont start... it is likely the Crank Position Sensor

The Crank sensor will frequently throw a CEL with a P0335 code..
The Camshaft Position Sensor is tied to the startup routine and will act the same as the Crank sensor but throws a different code... the Crank sensor is the one that goes bad in most cases...

But as everyone else has said, change your battery first and then see if you still have a problem...