It worked perfect when I covered it up at the end of 2014. April 2015 car wouldn't start. Fresh gas-was on battery tender all winter. engine makes clicking noise but wont turn over. even tried jumping with my other car. any ideas before AAA takes it to Chrysler dealer?

 

We need a little more info. How old is the battery? If it worked when you covered it, then it probably isn't anything major and the clicking sounds like the battery isn't strong enough to turn the starter. I would replace the battery and give it a go before turning it over to the stealership.

 

Disconnect battery cables from battery. Clean terminals and battery posts.
Reconnect.


Now?

 

Also.. trace the negative cable to it's ground on the car.. some have had issues with rust/corrosion there.

 

Miata is right!

And above all, DO NOT take it to a Chrysler dealer, that is NO WAY to get one of these cars running. You either have:
1) a bad battery
2) broken solder on the RCM
3) bad battery cables connections
4) mice have chewed the wiring
5) some rare issue we've never heard of

Fixes are:

1) Change the battery. (Since a jump didn't do it, I'd say this aint it.
2) Resolder the broken joint(s) on the RCM.
3) Clean up the battery cable connections, paying attention to the chassis end of the ground cable as well.
4) Buy a new car.
5) Hang out here, we will work with you and get it going.

Non-Fix:
Taking it to a Chrysler dealer.

Other Options:
Find a local shop known for expertise with Mercedes, especially the SLK320/SLK32AMG - which is what your car is, other than the Eric-Stoddard-Designed body.

 

More info on the 2005 that wont start. battery is 21/2 years old car has 14000 miles. removed terminals, cleaned and replaced. lights are bright, spoiler extended and wont retract even when I tried manually. when I tried to start it just goes click-click-click-click. stored in a mouse free garage. I am taking the battery out and having it checked at the garage. I am a little scared to re solder the RCM

 

If you have seen the procedures and pictures and don't want to tackle it yourself remove the RCM and take it to any electronics repair shop that routinely does soldering. They can see the pics and where to solder so they will know what to look for.

 

"click-click-click" yer RCM ain't sick.


Sounds like its the battery.

 

Thanks everyone for input on 2005 Crossfire wont start. Replaced battery and started right up. It could have been a lot worse. Retired1st

 

tighed1 have you seen where the RCM has good enough connections but once the circuit draws some current the voltage drop of the bad solder connections kills the circuit?

I guess I missed why you know the clicks mean the RCM is OK.

 

Yes there have been RCMs that will kill a car while driving.

Click, click, click yer RCM ain't sick. - When the bad RCM connections are acting up the starter will not operate (no click or turning). The click (or turning) of the starter indicates another problem (cps).

Be aware that if the car cranks but will not run could be a fuel relay problem (located in the RCM). I have been seeing this issue more and more.

 

Do you use a burnishing tool for the relay contacts too?

GC-9338 - Contact Burnishing Tool - Large | Vetco.net

 

You can clean the contacts on the Air Pump relay and that will buy you some time. Eventually the relay will need to be replaced.


By the time I get them the Air Pump relays are pretty well fried.
The problem with the fuel relays isn't with the contacts but the coils.


I replace the relays.

 

Had my '05 for less than 20 days, and after a week of sitting, it would not start. No response in the start position. Checked the clutch safety switch, no difference. I read the forum here and Located the RCM from the pix. With a good magnifiying glass I could see the poor solder connections which were pointed out in one of your posts.
THANK-YOU THANK-YOU THANK-YOU to the people who pointed me to the RCM problem.
Used ordinary solder wick to clean the connections, a hot fine tipped solder iron, polished off with some flux cleaner (makes the board look like no-one has been there) and voila, engine started right up.


Sure saved me a ton of trouble and the wife thinks I am a genius! Sorry did not tell her any different.
Bill
'05 Black on black 6 speed.
PS For a German ride the manual tranny shifting sucks, I can speed shift my 2000 honda faster.
Clunky shifting but a fun ride just the same. The looks is why I bought this car. It sits beside my '01 Z3.

 

"We" are thankful you looked here first. It always hurts to see the posts..... "The dealer just charged me (insert way too much money here) to fix (insert free forum fix here)"