Hmm, could be, but the system has 'dual redundancy', i.e. two independent position sensors on the pedal and butterfly, so both would have to be faulty. Could be the motor or harness though. I don't know why they can't just hook up a standard OBDII logger. Even if there aren't any codes being thrown you should be able to get some clues from the logged data traces (revs, ignition, speed, fuelling, throttle position etc.) what is happening.

Good Luck Sharon, hope you get a solution soon!

 

Call the district Chrysler engineer and tell him that you think that this is a bunch of crap. Then tell him that you are going to the local consumer watch dog people on the television and have your say about what a joke this is. I think something will happen that will fix your problem quickly.

 

I appreciate everyone's suggestions about what I should do - right now, I'm going to give this dealer the chance to see if they can assist Chrysler in saving face, as well as save my car.

I already have my attorney on stand-by if they come back and say they can't find the problem. I also let DC know that if they cannot offer a solution that benefits me that my attorney is on stand by and more then ready to take matters into his hands.

But here we are 4 months later and I'm just over it... I just want a car that works the way a car should work which means when I step on the gas pedal, the car moves! And if they can't find the problem when there is a documented problem then they just need to suck it up, take the car back and give me another one.

To me that is the only solution that would satisfy me at this juncture.

 

Since it's a throttle by wire system, it will have both a tps on the pedal and on the throttle. That's the minimum required to function. I'm not aware of two sensors on each end.

I spoke with one of my shop foreman and he's not aware of a Mercedes specific data logging system. However, he mentioned that one of the culprits that he's seen in this situation was a bad air flow meter. His experience involved vehicles with the exact same symptoms.

 

I think all of you just need to drive down to work on my car!

All are great ideas and one of them will probably be what's wrong!

 

It's all in the manual. There is a description of the functionality following the failure of one of the TP sensors and here's the schematic - two TP 'pots' in the pedal and TB:


It is possibly a faulty MAF also, but again a standard OBDII logging session should pick that up, you wouldn't necessarily need an MB specific tool. You would see the abnormal fluctuation in the MAF voltage output. You may even see it with a multimeter.

 

Its nice to see that you guys know what you're talking about... care to tell me what all this is? LOL

I printed it out and will share it with the tech... I have already shared with him so many things you guys mentioned that he probably thinks one of three things right now:

1. That I'm a pain is the patooty;
2. That I'm an informed consumer; or
3. That I have friends in high places that keep me informed

Personally, I think its the first one... I mean, who am I but a woman trying to tell a man how to fix my car??

I love you guys!

 

It's all to do with the fact that there is a heap of electronics between the driver and car, basically as drivers we are merely giving the car 'suggestions' as to what we want to do, and the electronics decide whether or not it actually happens. There is no direct mechanical link between the throttle pedal and the engine.

In terms of actually getting your car fixed I would refer the dealer to the service manual. Almost all the answers are there for anyone who can be bothered to read it, including some in-depth diagnostic procedures for tracking down faults and testing individual components - they just need to work through it methodically.

Good Luck, and make sure you remain a 'pain in the patooty', as you put it.

 

Stay on top of them and remain a pain in the patooty as it were. Bottom line my philosophy is that everyone is a professional...but the true test is how professional they are on that given day. I am quite sure that this is just the tip of the proverbial iceberg. Since DC is now flooding the market with our cars and they have been sitting on the docks and dealer lots for a long time that new issues are going to arise. The learning curve with our cars is high, I am lucky to have a great dealer with a great XFire Tech. He has told me on many occasions that MB does not share enough info with DC, this would make life a lot easier on the Tech and owner.

 

Oh trust me, I will remain a pain in their patooty until its resolved!

Interestingly enough, I got a call today from the Service Manager at the dealer that's currently checking out my car and the good news? They went straight for the obvious items like the bad throttle position sensor, bad throttle body and a break in the wiring harness - just like you guys had mentioned. He told me he doesn't want to speculate on anything until they look at a few more things - and I'm fine with that.

But something he said that did not come up before is that there are errors codes stores in the computer from up to 1,000 miles ago that tells them that something IS wrong - they are having a hard time tracking down where those codes are coming from.

So they know that its not in my head!!!

 

Treat your Xfire like a young child... Exert patience most of the time, get angry every so often, but get their behavior back in line consistently and your life will be better. The car, unfortunately, won't respect you more ... but then you don't have to put it into your will as a beneficiary.

 

I'm sure it's not just ONE of those three things. More likely a combination of 1+2 or 1+3. But 1 is the constant.

Actually, I do have a theory here. Hardly scientific. Totally layman...

Yellow stands for caution. Hesitation.

Draw your own conclusion.

 

That caution you're talking about? Its actually for you men to be cautious of the woman in this car!

 

Heck, at my age, I've learned to be cautious of all women.

But like they say... can't live with 'em, yadda yadda yadda...

 

I got a call from the dealer and they believe they have isolated my problem (ok, not mine but the cars! LOL). Oh could this be true???

After much troubleshooting and talking with DC, they are going to replace the Transmission Control Module. They believe this is where all my troubles are and have ordered yet ANOTHER part for my car that will be here on Monday - the 6th part they have replaced in an attempt to fix the problem (could be more for all I know!). Gees, at the rate they are going, I'll have all new parts in my engine when I turn 10K!

And the Service Manager is the "unlucky" soul that gets to drive my car over the week-end (they are still hopeful the problem will pop up when its driven by someone else). While he gets to sit in that awesome car, I get to drive a 300M and let me say, nice car from what I have seen of it... I sit so high up I feel like I am sitting in a high chair! LOL

If this dealer finds my problem, they've gained a very loyal customer. And believe you me, DC will be sending me some kind of care package for having to put up with this for so long!!! 4 months and counting.... but I still love my car... I know, oxymoron, right?

Oh please let this fix the car!! PLEASE!!!

 

That is good news! At least they think they have isolated a problem. I'll cross my fingers that the car mis-behaves for the service manager. You should record the mileage before you hand the keys over...something my dad use to do when I was in high school. He might want to take it on a joy ride, it's sooo cute!

Hope you get your Sebring and most of all, get your adorable car back to it's healthy self. I really do!

 

Thanks! All my fingers, toes and anything else I can cross are crossed right now... I'm sooo ready to get this car fixed so I can move on... After 4 months, its time... because once she is fixed, I want to start making some mods to the car, starting with replacing the emblems and then want to add the illuminated sills!

So anyone have any suggestions on what I should demand from DC after all of this? Besides transferring the service package from one dealer to the other?

I just cringe whenever I remember being told by the tech sent from DC Corp said my car was 'normal' and they found nothing wrong... and then the District Manager repeats the same thing! Then I start to wonder, how many other people might be hearing the same thing because the techs don't know our cars? And I believe the answer is "too many".

So give me some good ideas guys because at this point, an apology is not going to be enough for me.

 

At the very least...get your maintenance covered for as long as they'll do it. Oil changes etc run about $100.00 with tax. They're offering all sorts of rebates on their other cars...maybe they'll toss in some sort of rebate...(long shot). Free gas?
Installation of door sills when you order them? (I had mine installed for $188.00. I know that was steep for something I could do myself, but I can't do it myself...no mechanical know-how).

Free touch up paint..

Free Car washes anytime.

Free pedicure and manicure...(hey, a girl's gotta look her best driving this car)!

 

When you're driving topless, no one will notice your fingers or toes.