I took the car in to have some things checked out including the failure of the seatbelt alarm (not that I miss that annoyance). It was determined after two days that the entire instrument cluster and associated electronics has to be replaced. The part is on order and I have no idea when I'll get the car back. I've only had the car for 2 months and it has 12k miles on the odometer.

I'm starting to wonder if my A/M HIDs had something to do with the failure. When they are on, I get tons of static on the radio indicating to me that there is some electronic noise eliminating from the high frequency created by the high voltage.

Ideas, comments?

 

I really don't see how your HIDs could have cause that. I've had mine in for 2 months and have no problems. I have heard of Instrument Clusters going out for no apparent reason. I've heard it happened to a couple of Base/Limited cars. I've also seen Durangos, Navigators, and Vettes do it too on a quasi regular basis.

 

~ agreed...

 

Do you know what causes it?

 

Thanks for the input guys, I was just speculating because that's the only mod I've done on the car.

 

The Durangos are usually poorly soldered circuit boards or intermittent bad grounds. The Navigators are just made by Ford. Seriously though they seemed to go for any number of reasons.

 

I have a '97 Benz E420 AMG which had a similar problem at about 30,000 miles and required the exact same solution - an entire new instrument cluster. And it was damned expensive, too, as I recall, so be thankful that you're still under warranty. Unfortunately, MB electronics of this vintage are known for these failures, although MB blames the problems on Bosch, of course. I never did get a good explanation of the cause of the failure, but the dealer's service tech told me the issue was relatively common.

 

Just a warning - my instrument cluster also needs to be replaced and it's on order for 2 weeks now. The cause - having a tech try and reprogram the car's computer to "chirp" when activated. Now the gear indicator is blank (drive/reverse, ect ) and Chrysler says the fix is a whole new cluster. It's under warranty of course.

 

I was going to look into designing an in-line signal converter so we could use the outside air temperature display on the panel to monitor the Intake Air Temperature.

But if the instrument panel is so touchy...maybe not...

 

I now have a 2006 Roadster Limited, I had a 2003 SLK 320 which is basically the same mechanicals & electronics. My air temp indicator went out on it & MB had to replace the cluster because of it even though everything else worked.

 

The dealership told me they were supposed to get the new cluster today, but I haven't heard from them. Going on 4 days now without the car.

 

Finally got a call from the dealership. Part hasn't shown up, not expecting the car to be finished until some time next week!!!

Man, I get rid of my G35 Coupe because of mech. issues, and now I end up with a car that has been in the shop longer in one period than all of my combined visits to Infiniti!! As you can tell, I'm far from happy at the moment.

 

You may not be aware, but ALL Crossfires that are still under warranty come with a free loaner car that is paid for by Chrysler. I bought mine used, and Chrysler still sent me a copy of that service contract about 3 weeks after the purchase. It doesn't have to be certified, just under the original 3/36 warranty. Ask the service writer to pull up the car's VIP report and look under Service Contracts, it will be there I promise.

 

My dealer told me I could have a car only IF it had to stay over night, but not the first day because I didn't have the first day rental option. I told them to forget it. I walked home and am driving my truck 'til the car is repaired.

 

You can use it for an oil change. Good from day one. They just didn't want to be bothered...