Hello all,

I'm back after a couple months absence and I could use some advice.

I got my '08 Roadster in October - I posted some mountain pics (https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum/showthread.php?t=22239&page=41), a video, a few posts then promptly disappeared from the board. The reason being - my Crossfire has been spending ridiculous amounts of time in the shop for ongoing electrical circuit problems.

Ironically, it all started the day we went to get the actual tags for the car. Car started random turning on and off of the alarm, radio, lights followed by the car completely turning off in mid drive. Got her started again only to have it happen seven more times (on route to auto store to get battery, alternator, starter checked - all in or above spec, btw) and then to stumble to the dealer. Tank was full, no other obvious problems. Before anyone starts giving theories - trust me, it is ongoing problems with the electrical system, as you will read if you bear with me - all other components have been ruled out.

After repeated stints and many days of my car residing at the dealer, we have replaced the PCM once, the BCM several times, the entire air bag system including the passenger seat, the top motor components, door lock system, etc. The problems have been with nearly every single part of the electrical circuit on the car from starting the car to the top to the locks to the lights to the spoiler, etc. Nearly every week, another thing goes wrong.

Technically, the car already qualifies as a lemon under Colorado law. I am frankly worried that I'll be taking a curve at high speed and the system is going to fail yet again leaving me sailing off the side of a mountain - like Thelma and Louise only with a decided lack of sound due to the car no longer being on.

Now, this should be a no-brainer - unload the car, asap. My problem? I'm in love with the damned thing (and I mean "damned" as in possessed by the demon of all things electrical). I love the way she looks, sounds and handles...er, when I actually have her and she's running. I am heartbroken. Told myself when I got her back this last time that if one more thing goes, she's gone. Well, the spoiler started acting up again yesterday and I no longer have a trunk light.

The service guys are as frustrated as I am. Chrysler specialists have been flown in twice to get her fixed up yet she keeps having problems and no one can fully explain it.

She is like a bad boyfriend...I want to throw her out but then she gives me the puppy dog eyes and promises to be better this time and I fall for it all over again. This is a nightmare - I don't trust her not to leave me stranded or worse.

Have any of you heard of such a thing? I mean this is a new car, dammit, a new car should not be in the shop every other week.

 

First, my condolances...in the words of Yul Brenner in the King & I, "tis a puzzlement" I now own my third crossfire without a single problem not counting tires. I hate to say this, but it might be time to kiss your baby goodbye and invoke the Lemon Law and get a new replacement. Every so often, and rarely thankfully, a car comes off the line "possesed by the devil" You can be assured, that the Crossfire has the BEST repair record of most cars out there. Good luck and happy driving hopefully in your new Xfire. Keep the faith!!!

 

Sorry to hear about your troubles, Bladecutter. But you should take them up on the lemon law. Let them have the car back. Then replace it with another 08 Crossfire roadster. There's a lot of them out there, and you could probably get the same deal if not better.

Why risk driving a car that could cut out at any time and harm you or others? If you're in love with the Crossfire roadster, get another one.

 

As an aersopace electrical engineer that has seen it all, your problem is quite obvious. GROUNDS! There is only one thing that universally and intermittently cuases symptos like this. THe need to go through every ground point on the car (there aren't that many) and measure the resistance between the wire and the frame, then wiggle the wires and look for fluctuations. Take it from me. Lord knows we can't have aircraft "shutting off" due to electrical problems. I hope this helps.

 

Me thinks Miata is on to something here !!! Check all the grounds !

 

I haven't seen the Xfire wiring manual yet, but for most of the vehicles I have seen the manuals for, there is even a seperate diagram just for the chassis grounds.

 

Wasn't that the same problem alot of 1st. generation Vegas had?

 

What a story...but my advice, after having lemon law issues w/my first (and beloved) Sebring convertible is enforce your consumer rights! Stand tough and find another one to love. I went from the Sebring to the Crossfire to celebrate my victory!! Good luck.

Seger fan