So My mom Bought an 04 crossfire with 44k miles, the people hardly ever drove it..It mostly sat in a pole barn... Test drive and all went good, she buys it.. 15miles down the road we stop to get fuel and the car wont crank again... Push it off to the side, I go and get a car hauler load it up and go to the house.. The next day, I start it up on the car hauler and it runs for about 10mins then dies to not start again... Thanks to google and this forum I think I got it down to the crank sensor, Put a new one in and go to start it.. The Battery is dead, Jump it off with the truck and it starts up... Run for about 15mins and it starts kind puttering.. I look down Battery Light is on and it dies.. Battery is dead again.
So I put the charger on it for alittle while go out and check it, its reading 15.3 volts or so.. Start it, it runs good and I turn on the lights and stuff then put my meter on it.. After maybe 10mins it starts loosing voltage and putters again so I turn it off.. Seems like the Alternator is going out now? The battery is about 3 years old..
Thanks for the Help.
Bill

 

Get the battery tested first, it is cheaper and easier to replace. Start simple and work your way up the dollar scale unless you know what the problem is, why work down through the dollar scale.

 

Yes even a 3 year old battery can be going bad or even done especially if the car has sat for long periods of time.
I will tell you that the batteries in our cars can cause so many unusual problems that you might not even consider.

Do yourself a favor and just spend the money for a new battery so you can absolutely rule it out as the cause of the problems and of course have the alternator tested to be sure it is not bad as well.

Don't be upset....once you resolve a few issues you are having you are gonna love your Crossfire

Gary

 

What they said. Chances are good that your alternator is OK, they are usually a pretty reliable part, not many moving parts. Do as they said, get a new battery, I'm betting you will be good.

 

Thanks guys, I'll have it tested tomorrow and see what happens.. Hopefully it will be the simple fix of a new battery.

 

When the engine is running, the voltage at the battery should be up above 13 volts, above 1200 RPM, it should be near or just above 14 volts. If it is not, then the alternator is not charging. You stated the car ran, but then died, and that (the way I read your post) the battery voltage fell with the engine running, enough that the engine quit.

Sounds like a bad alternator to me - and after the abuse this has put the battery thru, I'd guess you are looking at both a new alternator AND battery - but this is all just based on a few words you typed.

 

Correct, We bought the car saturday.. On the way home stopped to get fuel, the car would'nt crank again.. Just the lights on the dash,but the motor would'nt spin over, Got it home on a car trailer.. Next day it started right up ran for 10mins then just shut down, I got on this forum and found alot of members had problems with the Crankshaft Sensor going out.. I put a new Sensor in,and went to start it.. The battery was dead, Jumped the car off with my truck and the crossfire fired right up... After about 10mins it started puttering and the battery light came on.. The car died, Then would'nt start again.. Click Click from the battery... Put the Battery Charger on it for alittle while, and it started up again for about another 10-14mins and samething, Puttering and dies to a dead battery... I had my volt meter on it and you could see the charge dropping from the battery pretty quick as the car ran longer.

 

I'm with pizzaguy on this, new battery and alternator, plus do the RCM fix.

 

This 'lights bu twon't crank" is not the CPS, it is most likely broken solder paths on the RCM. Do the RCM fix Ala_x spoke of.

Also, sounds like bad battery and/or alternator as well. No wonder they sold the car, they probably thought it was a lemon. Good for you they did.

 

Could be bad contacts to the battery, ground, alternator etc.
It could also be a bad cable(s) from the battery, these can be corroded inside and not have the damage visible. Was there any corrosion around the terminals?
Is the battery dry inside or are the tops of the plates above the electrolyte?

 

Thanks for all the replys... Where can I find a good thread, to check out the RCM Fix?

 

LOL....well and if doesn't help you I will give several other things it could be.... Definitely do the RCM solder fix. If it sat that long your battery is toast. Just go out and buy one, I wouldn't waste my time testing it. Alternator might be bad, but I doubt it. These cars are very sensitive to having the right voltage and amps to everything. The least little spike or low voltage and look out. Either will run rough or not run at all. I hope your Mom got a great buy on this car, because you will fix it shortly...did I say shortly?

 

I guess it was a good deal.. She paid 9k for it, 2004 with 44k miles on it.. Very Clean and Good shape, Coupe model..

 

The first post has photos too
click >>> How to Repair Relay Control Module (RCM) - (Mystery no Start)

Good price with that mileage
Don't worry ...a few bugs to work out and you will be smiling ear to ear

Gary

 

Alright so Back to this, I got the RCM Fixed.. Car has been running good the few times we've drove it,Its always had a Burning/Hot smell coming from the front area after its been drivin for alittle bit.. Car has'nt ran hott,and the cooling fan does come on, Tonight Mom drove the car to my Sons B-Day Party and later on they left.. She calls me and says the car just died and she has no power.. I arrive to where she broke down at,and NOTHING.. No power at all,car wont even come out of park. Wait for the tow truck they come hook it up and I take it to the house... Hook the jumper cables up to it,so I can roll up the windows. Do that and then I try and start it, it fires up just fine... Any thoughts? Would the Alternator get smelly after,it starts getting hott?

 

Charging system on most cars works by pushing power from the alternator through the voltage regulator and then to the battery.

If the VREG is dead, your car could do this. Overcharging of the battery. Then you will get the smell too as the battery thinks about blowing up do to the over voltage.

Check voltage when car is running - replace battery most likely needed - and maybe alternator. But it's probably the battery sir. You can take it out and have it tested at a store.

 

I guess I'll do that, Take battery out and get it checked.. I know Before the RCM Fix, a time or 2 I would have my volt meter hooked to the battery and it would start dropping volts... But then sometimes Level out, Its always had that hott/burning smell since we got it afew weeks ago and its always seemed like its coming from the front of the car... But could'nt ever pin-point the location.

 

Wish you were closer, I could probably help you out, but alas ...... 245 miles
Probably battery AND alternator.
The burning smell could come from a number of places, I'd first have a look at the serpentine belt, if it looks burnt, then the alternator may be locking up.
Take the belt off and spin all the components by hand paying particular attention to the alternator. ( HINT: the radiator fan can be easily removed giving much better access )
If there is any issue with the alternator, there is a good chance it did damage to the battery also.

 

Maybe the burning smell is coming from an oil leak from the valve covers or more likely the little covers on top of the valve covers.

 

Car is super clean inside and out, I dont see any oil leaks..Even with the top cover off..

X-Fire thanks for your help already.. I have a feeling its the alternator heating up and putting off the smell. I will remove the belt and spin the pulls to see if I can feel or see anything different..