For the last few days, I have been getting these power hits that are like the car is shorting out somewhere. I can't seem to find were the current is being drawn from, to make it drop that low. So low to the point of, if I hit my breaks to hard the car would stall. Ya. fun stuff.
Also since the power surges, it seems like my trans is going out, or maybe the Clutch is toasted. I think what is happening is because of the power loss it is doing multiple misfires, and that's what is making it jerk when I slow down to a stop. Its throwing the timing way out of whack.
Gee it sure is great that these car's are a drive by wire system. I love how everything is ran electronically, and the electronic system is under powered, and shoddy at best. I just read that Mercedes had to recall 58 million if there vehicles because of electrical issues Build years 2001-2004/& 05.
Anyone else experiencing any one of the things?

 

do you think your custom air intake could be giving false readings to the mass air flow sensor creating the described problem?

i would remove the intake in order to eliminate the possibility of this being the source...worth a try imo.

 

No.... its not my Intakes, if it were, I should have had this problem come up a long time ago. Besides what would the air flow have to do with power fluctuation. It wouldn't cause it to surge like it is.

 

just thought...i've never heard of this problem in the past...time for a dealer check up.

 

Look at the Thread about the Mercedes Recall. In there you can read about how other people are having the same issues, however maybe the problems with my car have just advanced in the downward spiral of its defectiveness.

 

You're a senior member! Do you actually read the posts on this forum? How many of us are having the issues you describe? Just because you are having this problem does it mean all Xfires have an under powered electrical system. Just because MB has had a recall does that mean it relates to your car. You sound like a man looking at a new car and making rationalizations to get one. Take your car to the dealer and get it fixed or trade it in. The Xfire is an outstanding vehicle.

Regards
Rich

 

Hey Dado,
When you actually read all the posts, then maybe you can talk. Because if infact you did do your homework you would notice that I am, and have been a huge supporter of the Crossfire. Infact I have been so much, that I designed and manufactured performance parts for it, and for Mercedes Benz Models. Dude.... I don't want a new car, I just want mine to work properly, for as much as I put into the car, I think Daimler could do the stand up thing, and offer support to there sister branches, as opposed to playing the "Its a Chrysler, not a Mercedes" Card. Come on we all know that it is the 2003/04's SLK320, and some of the 230, with some New Threads. At least I know what it is, I have gone through that thing backwards and forwards about a hundred times. And if you look back to about a year ago, I said that there was something F***ed up with the electrical system, And new it had something to do with the alternator. I talked to the guys at Chrysler, and said I want it replaced, there answer to me was. "Well No one else has complained about this Problem." , and "there are no recalls on it!" So then I guess it has been up to me to fix it.

DADOF4, when did I ever state that all Crossfire's were under powered, I can only speak for me, and about other owners that I'm friends with. I have another Question, So how long have you worked for Daimler Chrysler? From the way you tried to discredit what I had to say, by saying that I'm just a guy who is looking for away out. Dude you picked the wrong guy to try to pin the "Crossfire Hater Label" on. Next time read everything I wrote before you make that judgment call.

 

And I think it's not helpful in resolving the problem too! When a member here complained of some problems they encounter with their crossfires...the purpose of this crossfire community is to help each other out not bash them because they have this problem or they have this new stuff they can put on to their crossfire. That's what it should be in this forum because one day you'll encounter the same problem and you'll be able to assess how bad or what the problem is.

 

Ahhhhh.... WOW! OK?







"Reluctantly crouched at the starting line,
Engines pumping and thumping in time.
The green light flashes, the flags goes up,
Churning and burning, they yern for the cup."

 

cake fan, sweet. saskins, merc sold 58 million vehicles between 2001 and 2005?

 

When did you say all Crossfires were under powered? Read your post. What does "these cars" refer to. I must have misunderstood your post. When I read "these" I was under the impression you meant more than one. I'll be more careful in attempting to interpret your posts in the future. Perhaps you could be more careful when you compose them. I sincerely apologize. I love my Crossfire and was simply defending it.

Rich

 

I've had no electrical problems or misfires, but it sounds like your computer is misreading something, possibly the airflow that could be the source! I have read this same type of problems with air intakes on other cars that put different air intakes on German cars. Even intake companies post some customers problems that sound like yours.

Let us know when you get it fixed what caused it.

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dan,
I have heard of similar issues with VW, mainly "Gulfs, and Jetta's" It's not the air flow, it has something to maybe do with the brakes also, because at one point that BAS Light came on and it shut down 3 cylinders and went to limp home mode. So I turned the car off, re-started it, and took off and everything was fine after that. I also noticed that the breaks started to feel a little spongy. Wait, it comes, and it goes. It will feel like the normal pressure when you step on the break,and then sometimes it would feel like I had no break pads and pull left or right. It would be unpredictable to which side it would want to pull.
Dan, I'm glad you car is running great. The reason for me starting this thread was to see if anyone was experiencing any of the few issues that I was going through. I'm not trying to put down the Crossfires, because I love my car. It has been the coolest car that I have ever owned, because it is so different then anything else you see on the road.

I know that Mercedes sold millions of cars form 2001/2005. However in the UK 58,000 were recalled, and have had 1.3 million Complaints world wide so far. They haven't issued recalls in the US as of yet, that I am aware of. Maybe they might want to think about looking into the SLK classes, as well as the E class, and SL class. I think maybe that Mercedes jumped the gun a little bit with all there new classes of cars. I understand by having the entry level vehicles you will be gambling on having that customer becoming a life long buyer. Who would potentially be upgrading to the nicer, better performing vehicles through the years. It is a gamble in my eyes, that would surely pay off for them. But if they stretched themselves to thin, they might have hurt themselves more then help themselves, Ex: massive recalls. Now I'm not saying that my car is a lemon, but I have taken notice to my cars glitches, and they are similar to those of the other classes of Mercedes Benz. I just don't want to see Chrysler get overlooked, just because when don't have the Mercedes Emblem on the hoods. That's all, I want us to be able to get the same kind of assistance as everyone else. Because bottom line the heart of the cars is Mercedes.

 

Ok, I didn't really get what your misunderstanding was all about: loving car, defending car, false imputations etc. but coming back to the main question about dips in power.

Saskins, the problem you described at first sounds to me similar to one I had with one of my previous cars. It was a French car but still. Finally it was a broken lambda probe. Therefore the air passage steering (or what the name is) calculated wrong. Maybe you let your exhaust gases check to see whether the probe works properly.

 

Thank you for your input CHXF. I will certainly look into what you suggested. However do you think there is a different name for Lambda Probe. I looked in the Crossfire Repair Manual's Index for it, and couldn't find it. Thank you though

 

Having worked with computers for more decades than I like to admit, I'll let you in on a little secret. Its called the "Fear and Frustration Circuit". I believe it is built into every microprocessor made, the ones in PC's and the ones in cars. If it senses that it can frustrate the user, it will, but if it knows the user would "field dress" it in a heartbeat, it has fear and forces the cpu to opreate correctly under all conditions.

I've had no indications of problems with my Crossfire, but then I use an old PC for a footrest at my desk. If my working unit starts to act up, I just tell it "you - next" and point to the dead box under my feet - the problems usually clear instantly. I think the PC has been communicating with the Crossfire and letting it know what will happen if it acts up.

 

Very funny Rick B,
It seems like things seem to work out that way sometimes. I'll send out the good mojo the next time I drive it.

 

I don't know any other name. We call it like that here.
The main duty of such a probe is to detect the O2-flow in the exhaust gas. The probe gives this information as a voltage signal to the fuel injection control. Meanwhile there are three different types of construction available. I have no idea which one is used for the crossfire. But the xfire uses 4 probes in the xf exhaust system which is quite common for a V6 engines (2 in the front, 2 in the back) . To check all 4 probes may be a hard work, the more as you don't know the construction type and thus the voltage it should render.
If you think it might the lambda probe, let your exhaust gases check at any garagist.
Good luck!

 

SASKINS: Are you talking about voltage/amperage drops, or engine output? I have logged the voltage/amperage drop when electrical accessories are activated, e.g. headlights, A/C etc. What I have discovered is that the engine electrical distribution is being overloaded temporarily while activating other functions, but the voltage regulator responds "EVENTUALLY". I think there is an electrical distribution problem, but it should not effect the normal operation of the engine, except while idling. (then you will see the RPM drop momentarily and the lights get dimmer and re-establish itself). We have logged the electrical and agree that the system momentarily overloads and effects the voltage directed to the ECU.

The only problem I see with this is that it may cause undue wear on the circuit boards and alternator. I wouldn't be surprised if you experience some sort of electrical failure as the first major malfunction of the car.

If you are experiencing engine cut-out, I would look at the MAF... Perhaps the ECU needs to be remapped based on your custom intake...

It's a tricky thing to alter the fuel/air mixture... Especially with these darn computer controlled cars... It aren't like the old days!!!

 

I have many posts about my power problems, the main thing is that the lights inside and outside my car blink sometimes, and the temperature indicator goes crazy sometimes. Also have tried installing HID kits on both low lights and fog lights, twice, and had problems with bulbs not working sometimes so I had to go back to stock.

My car spent two days at the dealer to get checked, and they came back to me with this response:

"We tested the car and the blinking lights problem did not happen, we had the scanner connected all of the times we did tests and the current in the battery and everything seemed perfect. We even dismounted the panel and found everything was ok. The temperature never went crazy. So we did not had to fix anything, the car is perfect!"

mmmm.... so I told them Id take the car to them when it happens again and take pics and video to prove them it is not perfect!