I stupidly took my SRT6 to the dealer for them to do some minor work on it. I got the car back and the steering felt off, so I removed the lower dash cover to have a look. Well, I found that the steering column was not bolted in! I called them to tell them about it, and they apologized and towed the car back to their shop to fix it.

They called today to let me know it was fixed and they apologized. However, while I had the lower dash cover off, I also noticed two wires just hanging there. One was a brown wire that was taped off (guessing some kind of ground based on the service manual showing brown wires for grounds) and the other one was a black wire with a switch on it. The dealer said that they didn't touch those and that they are for some kind of aftermarket part that must have been removed. Well, I bought my car from the original owner who was a fairly older gentlemen that said he never did anything to the car except drive it and change the oil. I think the switch also had MB part number/markings on it. So I'm thinking the dealer doesn't know what it is and are trying to cover up their lack of knowledge.

I took a pic of the brown wire and the switch before I sent it back to them for fixing. Here's the pic:



Can anyone tell me what this switch is for? I've gone through service manual trying to pinpoint it, but no luck. I'd really like the dealer to fix it if it is indeed a factory part. Or at the very least, I'll fix it myself once I know what it is!

Jon

 

Just a guess, maybe the switch that monitors if you have the steering lock for wheel forward/back unlocked ? There is a light on the panel for that, release the lock and see if the light comes on.

 

Ding, ding! I think we have a winner!

With the car on I can release the telescoping wheel latch and move the steering wheel back and forth and no light comes on in the dash. I'm thinking they didn't know where the switch went, so they snipped the brown wire to the light to keep it from coming on!

Rather than have them hack at it more, I think I'll dig in and try to fix it myself.

Thanks for the reply!

 

I just love it when a plan comes together. ( Hanabel Smith )

 

"I pity the fool who messes with my crossfire.." (Steve).

 

Another story of **** poor service from a dealer.

 

You're probably right and that is pretty serious. That means the dealer was disabling a safety system. And without your knowledge. Chrysler should be informed of this action.

 

Run the car into a power pole and sue, sue , SUE!!!

You could end up with 100,000 shares of Fiat LTD.