I own a beautiful yellow 2005 Roadster, 6-speed with auto stick. I love the car but am now struggling with my love for this car. I've taken it to the dealer for the fourth time today for the same problem that just seems to be getting worse each time they work on it. It started out last month when the car just would not accelerate, no matter how much I did the 'pedal to the metal' thing... and then all of a sudden I would lurch into gear. Talk about scary! So I took it in, they got the error message but it was one they were not familiar with so they ordered replacement parts for what they thought was wrong (related to the throttle). They thought the problem was fixed and then 5 days later, the problem came back but with a new twist - the car would go into high RPM's (over 4,000) and then drop into the right RPM's based on the gear I was in. So I took it back and they told me they 'forgot' to reset the computer to recognize there were new parts installed and also found that my sensor was bad, so they replaced it. So I thought it was fixed and guess what? Oops... My bad - it wasn't. Now when I put the car into 2nd gear, it red lines to over 6,000 RPM's, jerks and then seems to go into neutral before it drops into about 2,000 RPM's. So I took the car back today - 3rd time this week but 4th time for the same problem. I let them know I was not very happy and wanted my car either fixed or replaced. I know technology has made working on cars harder for these mechanics, but is this problem so unique that it could not be fixed after the first try? Has anyone run into this problem before? Or know what the problem might be?? Any help would be great appreciated!

 

I have not had the problem you are talking about but I to have had the car go past redline in second gear when WOT. Is the 6k redline just for display, and is the car shifting correctly past the redline?

EDIT Sorry, not trying to steal the thread just wanted to post something related to what you said. As for as my guess on the problem it could be computer related.

 

I feel for you... The more I read this forum the more and more incompetent the US dealers sound... Do you have lemon law in your state ?

P.S I think chrome would look good on yellow.

 

I wish the car were shifting correct after it redlines, but no, the problem is there.

 

It sounds like the dealer is on the right path of diagnosis, it's got to be either one of your sensors (FMU, MAF, ACM). They should be able to plug-in their DRB scan tool and see the error codes. But they probably don't know how to read them properly. I would suggest they have the DC regional rep. help them fix the problem if they can't figure it out.

I'll bet you a MB dealer could fix it in a heart beat...

 

Are there any other Chrysler dealers near you to take your car to?

It wouldn't hurt to have another service department look at the codes that are coming up.

If your current dealer "forgot" to reset the computer, I wonder what else they "forgot" on your car...

 

Well, I got some info yesterday from the dealer and they acknowledge that the problem can't be fixed without replacing the computer. The Chrysler District Manager recommended this option to try and fix the car, so they have to do it. On Monday, I'll send my official form to Chrysler to let them know what's going on which puts them on notice that I'm going to set the stage for a claim under the Lemon Law. This is so not what I wanted to do, but even the dealer recommended (although they can't do it officially) that I do this. Does this mean that the new computer will fix the problem and it be as good as new? Possible - but that also means they are messing with the electrical component for the car - its a crap shoot, but they have to do it... So my next question is has anyone ever filed such a claim and been successful? This is unchartered territory for me... Thanks to everyone that has offered info and given me their thoughts...

 

If this service was being done by the factory instead of a local dealer, I would say do it and you're good to go... I don't think local dealers have the expertise to do this kind of repair on the first go-round...

If you can convince the DC regional rep. to have the repairs done at a MB dealer than by all means, do it...

Good Luck...

 

I agree that they don't have the expertise at the dealer or else they would not have had to call them each time for assistance! Nor would they have struggled with the car for this long... Even though my dealer claims to have one "certified" mechanic for my type of vehicle. I'm going to see what happens on Monday (what else can I do?) and if anything is still wrong, then I am going to request (maybe demand at this point?) that it be taken to a Mercedes dealer since its their engine. I just have to wait and see... Until then, I get to cruise around in a PT Cruiser... and let me tell you, living in FL without your convertible sucks when the weather is awesome!!

 

Ah yes, top down, top off... That's the way we do it in California...

 

Sharon,
Did you get your beautiful car repaired? I saw your pics and your car is a real show stopper! Fingers crossed that you're back in the drivers seat and enjoying that Florida sunshine!
GG

 

Yes, GG, thank goodness I am back in the drivers seat of my gorgeous car... thanks for your compliment on her, too (yes, its a she)! I will say that its amazing how one can be so passionate about an inanimate object, isn't it? Just like you, my fingers are crossed - but mine are crossed in hopes that replacing the computer has solved these problems... so far so good!!! Thanks for asking!!!

 

Let us know what happens after the work is done. Sooner or later there will be a success story on a XFire actually being repaired by a Chrysler dealer. The odds are with us on this. Sooner or later it will happen.

I wish you the best.

 

So nice to hear that you're up and running, Sharon. I think the color of your car is to die for...and I also love my Aeroblue. It reminds me of the color of the ocean off some tropical island! The two tone interior is truly sharp looking. I have never been so thrilled to drive to my local grocery story as I am in my new Crossfire.
I had someone shouting at me today from a mini van...I was alarmed as I've only had the car a week...but then I realized he was shouting compliments about my car! He was falling out of the driver's seat to get my attention! I've never had that happen in my Sebring!

Keep up posted on your car and include some more pics!