Hello, I'm new to the forum and I have a few questions.

I have a 2004 coupe that I purchase 7 years ago, and it's been sitting idle for the most part, but I would occasionally start is and let it run, I'm in the process of getting it ready to drive and have discovered a few electrical issues that surfaced within the past few months.

When I purchased the car everything, electrical, was working as it should, However, now the rear spoiler won't retract and the red light in the center of the manual spoiler switch is flashing, the door locks don't work with the key FOB or the interior lock/unlock switch ... I also have a BAS/ESP warning light in the instrument cluster, which I assume is brake related since the brake pedal is spongy.

I'm speculating all of the problems I'm having have a common theme, however any help or advice will be greatly appreciated!!

Many Thanks in advance,
Brian

 

Hi Bandit,
usually it's the battery, the RCM or the central locking pump. Have you measured your battery voltage? Is it above 12V? If you turn your key to on and leave there, do the radiator fans start to go at warp speed. Have you looked under the Styrofoam in back trunk area to see if the CLP/SSM is sitting in water. Have you checked your brake fluid level or looked for signs of rodents chewing up wires in the engine compartment.
Just some suggestions.
-Jerry

 

Thank you for the quick response ... so the battery voltage is 12.33, with the ignition turned on, the fans do not run. I haven't checked the pump yet and rodent chews are a possibility, The master cylinder is full.

Thank you for the quick reply and suggestions!
Brian

 

Another question ... what all does the Body Control Module control?

 

Has it been sitting outside? The Body Control Module is an Electronic Control Unit (ECU) that is responsible for managing the various electrical systems in a vehicle’s body.

 

Yes ... the car has been sitting outside but covered up.

 

I agree with post #2, critter damage and or water intrusion.

 

Critter damage is entire likely because all of the symptoms happened all at the same time. I have the car in the garage now and can investigate further.

Thank you for the reply and suggestions ... Much Appreciated!!
Brian

 

Bandit 55
Since your Crossfire had been sitting for several years, the first step is to install a new battery, since these cars are very sensitive to low voltage and will wreak havoc on the various electrical systems. DO NOT try to recharge this old battery, since a new battery is less than $200 and last 4-5 years, so the cost is minimal over that span of time.
Do this before you start dropping all kinds of dollars chasing something that you are unaware of to resolve your problems.
Good Luck....
Dennis
DTMenace

 

100% agree on the battery the car will act very wonky even at a tad under voltage. As far as the doors not locking in the center console or by the fob check the obvious first. Check that there's TWO BATTERYS installed in the fob and press the unlock or lock key in a dark space multiple times youll see a small IR red light coming from behind the plastic. If the key fob is in order next I would remove the rear trunk paneling and check your central locking pump. These are known to fail from sitting in water mine was horribly corroded and missing a pin. I had to cut out a harness from a junkyard card (NeedsWings) also sells the harness. As far as the BAS/ESP mine was due to bad YAW sensor in the center console you can pick one up used fairly cheap, but if you pedal is squishy I would look over and maintenance the break system, when my pedal was squishy my master cylinder and break booster was shot.

 

Okay, as far as the car battery, it's fairly new and has just been recently charged. Just to be sure I left the battery charger connected and plugged my Autel scanner in and cleared some codes ... the spoiler started working again as it should and the red light on the spoiler switch wasn't flashing. I cycled it several times just to be sure for the moment it appears to be okay.

As far as the door lock issue, I did replace the batteries in both remotes recently. I know they're working because the lights flash but the door locks don't cycle, so the next step is looking at the pump. Any idea how they get wet?

I'll tackle the brake issue later ... the system should be flushed and refilled anyway.

Thanks again for the help ... MUCH Appreciated!
Brian

 

Hi Bandit,
in a coupe, I'm not sure how the CLP gets wet, but in a convertible, it either leaks in through the rear windshield or the fuel filler door. Also, the CLP is sitting in the lowest part of the trunk, and the drain hole is exceedingly small - it clogs up with any bit of dirt, or mice droppings. When I first bought my car, I had no idea about the CLP, but like 6 months after some heavy rain, my battery would be drained after two days, and the car would stall at low speeds. I took it to a mechanic, he check the current drain, and found it to be a couple of amps. He then traced it to the CLP, and when he opened that area up, the CLP was submerged in old rusty water. Fortunately, I found a good used CLP on ebay with the harness attached, so I spliced in the new harness, put the "new" clp in, and my battery drain and stalling issues went away.
-Jerry

 

Hi Jerry,

Thanks for the information, that sounds possible since the car sat for several years and at times it wasn't covered. It's on my list of issues/repairs.

Thanks again!!
Brian

 

Central Locking problem discovered ... when I raised the cargo floor cover, I saw the water. I pulled the pump out and also found a corroded connector so now I know what the problem is, and I'll be looking for a pump and wiring harness.

Many Thanks for everybody's help and guidance ... very much appreciated!!
Brian

 

Do all the above then,, You should have a spare RCM and put a new (good one in your car) as it is the blood of a crossfire,,, then send your old one to tighed1 ,https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...-no-start.html
and u should be on the road. jim

 

I would replace the RCM module and crankshaft sensor as preventive maintenance also if it's not been done : bleed brakes and replace all the old brake fluid if it's a manual 6 spd bleed clutch slave it shares the same brake fluid as the brakes

rcm : https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/MB-1705450305

crankshaft sensor Bosch : https://www.autohausaz.com/pn/0031532828

 

Thanks for the additional feedback, I have already fixed the RCM for a no start issue. What else goes wrong with the RCN?

Good idea on the crank sensor replacement and the brake system / slave cylinder fluid flush is on my list.

I don't know how many of you ever had a BMW, but this car reminds me ALOT of the BMWs I've had!

Many Thanks!!
Brian

 

take a look at the brake lines also, might as well replace them.

 

U fixed the RCM,,,,there have been many members, repair(resolder) their RCM and think it is ok,,, and some members with electronic
background and it would start the car but spoiler, dash lights still flash. .maybe if you know someone with a crossfire near u and would let u try their RCM in your car,,or u could just buy a new one ,,put it in the car ,then send your old one to Tighed1 and always keep a spare RCM in the trunk,,U WILL NEED IT jim

 

It's not just the solder joints in the RCM, the relays also wear out.