Well I logged on to my computer this AM looking for help on cleaning the EGR valve on my 04 Crossfire in order to prepare her for sale. Then I found Crossfire Forum.org and now I'm considering fixing all the little things that I was wanting to just get rid of and keeping my baby.
There are so many little things that keep popping up and every time I look into repairs-of course the German Engineering comes up and the costs are double.
I had new tires put on and now my tire sensor light stays lit.
I had to repair (weld) the mounting bracket twice within a year.
My check engine light shows an EGR code.
My hood latch (hydrolic) gave out; and I need a paint job.
Not to mention I have over 153,000 miles on the car. I drive lots of freeway miles every day (social worker).
I'm glad to have found this site and will keep checking back for any helpful tips on fixing my minor flaws.
I do have an appointment to go look at a Scion TC this afternoon.

 

My sister in law is a social worker....and I will be just as firm with you.....fix that car and keep it for another 150K miles...that scion won't be around in 150K.....lol....everything has to have maintenance.... We are hear to HELP....isn't that what you do?

 

They probably just put standard valve stems in that do not have the TPS sensors in them, thus the warning light.

 

you have a great carr.
you have found the greatest crossfire forum going.
there is a big bunch of fellow owners here that can help will all problems.
seek their advice and recommendations.
you can not go wrong.
happiness

 

Welcome, Sarina!.....This forum saved me LOTS of money on one simple fix. All I needed was a soldering iron. Happy days are here again!

 

Id forget the TPS, rudy has a posting that shows how to eliminate the light.

Paint happens

For the other issues, one day at a time.

There are scrapped crossfires on here so some parts Hood cyclinder is available, at reasonable prices. Woody

 

I thought the TPS sensors were a part of the rims? I have been through a few sets of tires and the warning light never stayed on.

 

Thanks Woody. I do love my crossfire. How do I go about finding Rudy's posting taht shows how to eliminate the light? And is there a way I can replace or put on a different shifter ****? The chrome/paint is starting to flake off of mine.

 

Lol! Great points. But can a sunroof be installed in my Crossfire? Just sayin...

 

Welcome Sarina

The best tool on the forum is the"search" box.
We are also here to help answer any question you may have and I'm glad you found us here.
I found the forum here in a similar way in 2007 and have learned SO MUCH here about the Crossfire.
Hang onto it and now you have the support group to make owning it and maintaining it much easier.

Here is Rudy's post concerning the TPS light.
How can I disable the TPMS? (Tire Pressure Monitoing System) Post #3

 

OH, now we are not going to be friends...lol.....time for a roadster....lol....but, they have been done...

TPMS...after awhile, will seem to have problems, dead batteries, sensors, whatever...I don't even look or notice the lights anymore...
I think you were talking about the hood support which is hydraulic....they do wear out over time...
Paint, well you did that...lol
What other problems are you having? You sure have driven it for awhile with that many road miles, so you must like it...
Back to the sunroof...keep in mind, you have that nice raised line that runs down the middle of the roof....putting a sunroof in, will break up that line and make the raised piece look funny to me...but, it is your car...never like sunroofs...lol...let us know what you need, and there is someone on here that can help....

 

Ok. So you all got my attention enough for me to put off looking at another car for now. Instead of throwing 8-10k into a different car, I am starting my "wish" list for my Crossfire (I call her Joy, since she brings me so much joy). I do enjoy driving and she is my daily commuter. I figure if I have to drive an average of 2000 miles a month, I should at least be driving something deserving of being seen.
As far as the problems, there really is nothinig BIG. Just the typical wear and tear. However, since I do drive a lot I tend to go through tires faster than most and that gets pricey. I would like to go to one size tire all the way around instead of 18's in the front and 19's on back.
Is there a way I can fit 18's all the way around?
Also, my shift **** is flaking the chrome plating off and I can't seem to just take the **** off.
The cup holder is broken (and has been since I bought the car from the original owner in 2007). I would like to have it fixed-but it seems like a flimsy holder anyway.
I have had to weld both of the rear stabilizer mounts (about 9 months apart) and was told this is common for Chryslers.
And, it seems like paying $500 for a tune-up is a bit much considering I used to pay about 70 in my Nissan. Is it that difficult to do a tune-up?
That's all I got for now. I really do appreciate all the feedback I'm getting. I look forward to staying tuned for more words of wisdom.
Oh!! I almost forgot!! As far as the sunroof; I figured since I can't get a sunroof, how about I do Lambo doors!!!

 

Search around - plenty of people have 18s all around, especially for winter. There are a lot of wheel/tire combos that will fit. https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...ment-tool.html is a useful tool for figuring out the spacing vs. widths vs. tire sizes

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...b-removal.html will let you know how to take the **** off.

The cupholder is a legendary issue - either ignore the broken-ness, custom-fabricate something to go in that hole, or spend $50-$60 on the "storage bin" from a base coupe at a dealer and replace your cupholder with that. Instructions : https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...e-bin-how.html

As for your rear stabilizer mounts, a few other forum members have had that problem but it doesn't seem quite "common" yet. And Chryslers having that problem have nothing at all to do with it, because all of those parts are Mercedes through and through. At any rate, if you've got both sides re-welded now, you should be good to go for a while.

$500 is steep - it depends on what you're getting from a "tune up," though.

Oil and a filter will run $60-$100 depending on what sales you get - this engine does take a lot of expensive 0W-40 oil and the filter isn't the cheapest ($15-$25 for a real glass fleece one, which is what you should be using). Search for "oil change," "oil filter", and "0w-40" and you'll find plenty about how, along with debates about if cheaper 5W-40 oil is okay (and what oils meet different specs). I personally just stick with the 0W-40 - while it's a little pricier, the time and stress I save are worth it to me. It's easier to change the oil on this car than on any other car I've ever owned - the filter is incredibly easy to get to, the drain plug just involves taking off a simple cover, and you can fill the car back up through the oil filter hole, so you don't even need a funnel.

This engine does have 12 spark plugs and wires (2 per cylinder) and replacing the rearmost spark plugs is a pretty big pain, so that's another hundred and some-odd dollars there, plus if you've got someone else doing it they'll probably charge you for the skinned knuckles they end up with.

If you're getting new oil, new spark plugs, and new coolant or transmission or diff fluid, $500 doesn't seem incredibly steep - but if you're getting all that every tune up, you've got some serious overkill on your hands.

 

Love the links, and great tips. I am now working on how to either clean or replace the EGR valve. So that's first on my list. I am fortunate enough to have someone who can do the general maintainence on my car-I was reluctant to have the tune-up done anywhere but the dealer-but now, not so much.
Also, do you know where I can find replacement ball joints (front) at a reasonable price? Thanks again. I'm off to do some shopping!! Yeah!!

 

Hey all,
Well I have spent much of today learning more about my car than I really needed considering I probably won't retain a good portion of what I learned. I do know that I am still excited about the new venture with my crossfire.
Ok, so here's my newest dilemma. I am trying to locate the replacement part for the hood strut. I guess I'm not calling it the right thing as I am not finding anything. I did find the part (or what looks like the part), but the numbers do not match. There are so many numbers on the current rod now. The rod has stabilus on it with a series of numbers: 9186FM, 0260N, 279/03, E09; Q6A170, 880, 0229
The following is the closest thing I found that resembles what I need. I found it on e-bay and they are asking $64. Is this the right part? Thanks so much for all your help!!!
1 Hood Lift Support OEM SG103002 Support Strut Prop Rod

Sachs, Stabilus, OEM, Lifetime Warranty, Mercedes model

 

My hood strut also gave out not too long ago. One of the forums members pointed me to;

Your Parts Search Returned 1 Part(s)

on sale $64 + free s/h and very very easy to install.

 

Thanks so much!! I am confused on why there are so many different part numbers for the same part? and why I haven't been able to find one with the part numbers taht are actually on the one I have now.
I am certainly glad to have found this great group of fellow Crossfire owners.

 

If you're not fussy, a little piece of black electrical tape over the TPMS icon is an easy fix. Just check your tires regularly using a gauge.