Beautiful Simplicity

[truckster]

My daughter has a 2008 Sebring convertible. The top wouldn't go up. I spent hour on it. The car has eight computers that have to talk to each other, plus micro switches and relays and so on and so forth. After working on it on and off for two weeks, I gave up and told her she'd have to take it to the dealer for diagnostics. Then two days ago I decided to try it again, and up it goes...

The same car won't pass emissions. It's throwing a couple of codes for a misfire and injector circuit. I replaced the injector, checked the wiring and connections, reset the DTCs, and... there they are again. They won't go away, even though there's no misfire. Reset, go to the emissions menu, two DTCs showing. Reset again, go to the emissions menu... and the crazy thing is that the PIDs connected to those DTCs show 370 RPM and 203 degrees coolant temp, even when the car has been sitting overnight.

My wife and children's cars really make me appreciate the simplicity of my Blazer.

[shp4man]

Sounds like "Permanent" codes. These won't reset till the emissions monitors run through a drive cycle. Might take a couple days.
That, or there's an issue in the injector wiring, or least likely, the PCM (computer) is junk. Or, it's the wrong part# injector or....

I work on Fords, so I'm not totally familiar with Chrysler/Dodges. You sure it's not still misfiring? Scanner should say "permanent" if they're permanent codes.

[flashed]

I have had 2 Sebring convertibles (my wife's cars at the time) and about 100,000 miles the computers went nuts ,drove the first one to the scrap yard and drove it across the scales and sold it for scrap value .The second one I sold for cheap as it would not run long enough to get to the scrap yard .Never again will I own a Chrysler product .

[In The Ten Ring]

A best friend bought a Sebring from his x-roommate. Apparently the battery is located near the bumper and requires removal of both front wheel and inner fender to access!

He was driving home two weeks ago and a bad rain came. The water got to the battery and his car began having electrical problems.

[68C15]

Originally Posted by shp4man

Sounds like "Permanent" codes. These won't reset till the emissions monitors run through a drive cycle. Might take a couple days.
That, or there's an issue in the injector wiring, or least likely, the PCM (computer) is junk. Or, it's the wrong part# injector or....

I work on Fords, so I'm not totally familiar with Chrysler/Dodges. You sure it's not still misfiring? Scanner should say "permanent" if they're permanent codes.

I'd start off with a new battery. Then use a scan tool to reset the KAM (keep alive memory). Chrysler products can and do have very weird and unrelated issues when a battery is failing

[truckster]

I cleared the codes by disconnecting the battery for a while. No DTCs so far. It's still a pain in the rear. I can't say I'd ever be interested in buying a Chrysler. A neighbor had the same year/model convertible. She sold it after the dealer had it for two months and replaced three computer modules and still couldn't keep it running.

[FleetsidePaul]

I love my daily driver C6 Corvette. And it's never let me down.But all the electronic Doo Dad's scare me. I'm just waiting for something to fail. And I will have no idea how to fix it.

I'd rather not have all the "options' But what are you going to do, that's how they all come.

[truckster]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

I love my daily driver C6 Corvette. And it's never let me down.But all the electronic Doo Dad's scare me. I'm just waiting for something to fail. And I will have no idea how to fix it.

I'd rather not have all the "options' But what are you going to do, that's how they all come.

But at least GM has a much better reputation for electronics than Chrysler/Fiat.

[68C15]

I think they use Lucas. Otherwise known as the Dark Knight of automotive electronics

Remember the Caravans having troubles because of driver getting static discharge. They actually told us to touch ththe door frame when getting out of the car

[FleetsidePaul]

Originally Posted by truckster

But at least GM has a much better reputation for electronics than Chrysler/Fiat.

Well I'm keeping my fingers crossed on the Vette. It's 11 years old. I just think of how many computers I've gone through in the last 11 years when they just crapped out on me. But at least I didn't need a ride home when they croaked.

You're right about the Fiat's. My wife's 2015 Abarth has already had electrical problems. The trunk wont open and the top wont go down. POS. It's only got 9000 miles on it.

[68C15]

GM isn't much better, some, but not much.

We had an 08 LaCrosse in from th body shop for an alignment. It wouldn't start afterwards. The tech next to me worked on it for 6 days, replacing dead modules (17 on the car) and reprogramming them. Th trouble seemed to keep digging deeper, just like a wood tick. Then I looked it over early one day and saw a small 20G wire with a loose crimp at the ring connector to the ground of battery. He replaced that connector and the car has been gone for 2 weeks now.

[FleetsidePaul]

Originally Posted by 68C15

I think they use Lucas. Otherwise known as the Dark Knight of automotive electronics

I always heard they were " The Prince of Darkness'

Lucas sucks.

Can You tell I used to ride/push a Triumph.

[pritch]

You know why the Brits drink warm beer? Lucas built the fridges, too!


Of course, Truckster could move to the Wasatch Back and not have to worry about emission testing anymore

(but I fear it's only a matter of time before the Park City crowd forces it into Summit Co.)