[First300COwner]

To be honest my 300C might have been one of the first thousand or even hundred made. I got my 300C on April 14, 2004. I'm sure I was among the first 1-500 normal class people to be driving one on the road. My 300C ran perfect besides a little high pitch whistling or ringing when I'm turning the wheels after backing out from my drive-way, a little vibration from seemed to be between the steering wheel and gauges; which later stopped happening, and lastly some annoying squeaking sounds coming from the moon roof while it was tilted or closed but not when fully opened; this also so to speak "fixed itself" other then that I figured I faired well with these minor "new car syndrome" problems. At about 6,000 miles I noticed that I had to crank the starter a little more then normal to get it to start. Over time the car wouldn't even start no matter how long I cranked it until I were to stop cranking then crank again then the car would start. Not to much longer following this cranking the ESP light would stay on after these crank starts. To turn the light off all I had to do was turn the car off then on again. At times this problem seems to get worse then better, then worse, then better. I've taken it to the dealership three times and their response was either " it needed a new software update and is running fine now, or we can't make the problem happen (duplicate it). A bit confused I been living with it. At times the car would have a hard time starting in the morning and presently starts fine in the morning but has issues starting after driving between 10minutes-hours letting it sit for approx. 20min. or longer till almost fully cooled. I know this time span is large but I got the issue in my mind down to a science too bad DC or the DC dealership doesn't have a clue. My last resort is to take this car one last time during next oil change and let them know that to let it cool for about an hour then let me come back with a tech watching me and start the car so that they can see the issue with their own eyes. If that doesn't work or DC gives me a hard time I going for the lemon, I've done the lemon before on a 2001 honda prelude that had its transmission replaced 4 times before I said put up or shut up, so they put up. I will never by a Honda every again, this problem happened after the first 8,000 miles. My Chrysler 300C currently has 10,797 miles on it and I'm waiting for my next oil change due 12,053. Let me know what you guys think of this whole mess!

 

[mileshoover]

Whew!! I'll take a shot at this but it'd help if you would have used paragraphs or split it up into several posts.

Keep in mind also that we don't have any feel for your skill level in operating and diagnosing the car (and that is not meant to denigrate your post/info), just trying to get into this.

I'll try to take them as you put 'em -- first, the squealing when turning the wheels while backing out most likely is the power steering pump. It may be low in fluid or you are cramping the wheels over too far, or both, and this noise is a natural result of pushing the limit. I can make just about any car with power steering squeal if it is held to the limit for a bit. If the fluid is low, be sure to use the prescribed fluid.

Second, the vibration between the steering wheel and guages could well have been new tires having a "set" overnight; driving a few miles warms them up. I have experienced a similar problem and perhaps it relates to the Conti tires. If it goes away, it is not related to wheel balance, the other possibility.

Third, the moon/sun roof squeaks may be related to a need for some lube on the seal and/or the roof isn't fully closed. Try to ensure that it is fully closed, including the inside cover. Also, try a bit of rubber lube on the seals. Try opening the inside cover and see if that localizes the noise.

Fourth, ignition/starting problems. It sounds to me as if your engine computer isn't enriching the mixture for starting -- very similar to the old automatic choke going on when the engine is cold. The computer does that now and may be malfunctioning. Your dealer should be able to read the engine codes with his Startech computer and fix it easily. The waiting 20 min. or so after a bad start sounds like just the opposite, in that your engine is operating over-rich, and is flooded from getting too much fuel. Do you pump the gas pedal before starting? If so, don't.

These new FI cars need to control the entire process. Keep your foot off the accellator while cranking the engine, it should start, set high idle, and slowly idle down to warmup the engine and you can pull away in drive. The engine problems sound as if the computer needs an update. I just had the latest "C" update installed -- v3.81 dated 7/27/04. What is yours now?

Frankly, from what you have said so far, it doesn't sound that bad, especially if you feed gas while starting the car. I see no lemon problem yet but if you have been to the dealer and they can't/won't fix it for multiple times, then you'll just have to pursue it until you get some satisfaction. Of course, they must be able to duplicate the problem to fix it. However, as said before, the diagnostic computer will provide answers for this kind of aberrant engine operation.

I realize these things can get very irritating. I had a '94 LHS which drove me nuts for a year until the dealer finally got it screwed together correctly, both engine and body, and he really shouldn't have had to bear that load, but it happens.

I'm sure some others will chime in here and perhaps give you a more specifics. Good Luck.

Welcome to the board and stay in touch.

 

[First300COwner]

Hey, Thanks Mileshoover!!!

Ya, I know what you mean about the power steering. Very true what you said, but the light noise I hear continues after I drive off straight for about 30-50 feet, and the power steering fluid should be alright I took it for 2 oil changes already and they check all the fluids and replace as needed, but the problem doesn't bother me too much.

As far as the moon-roof the dealership has adjusted it twice and lubed it and all this neat sort of stuff and it didn't help, on a side note I noticed that when I apply pressure to the left of the moon-roof, like on the top interior the sound would stop then I let go again and it would start again. But that fixed itself.

The tire thing with the vibration and stuff makes perfect sense of what you said and was prob. the issue but it only lasted for like 500 miles. So I think your dead on about that.

Lastly the ESP thing I know for a fact my software is up to date I took it like 2 or 3 weeks ago to get it checked and the ESP software is up to date. In fact a couple I times I went to report the issue the techs said that the computer reported errors and that its all taken care of, of course its not LOL. True thing you said about the pumping with the gas pedal, but I know better then that LOL, but you never now some people back in the day thought pumping the gas pedal would fix anything wrong with the car LOL!

Thanks, for all your help man, and thanks for trying to be gentle with me just in case I didn't know a darn thing about cars. Oh ya one last thing GO MARINES BABY!!!

 

[mileshoover]

You're welcome.

On the continued noise from the Power Steering -- perhaps the seals are leaking if you get continued noise in that area. Forcing the unit to squeal can ruin the seals. Ask your dealer to replace them; the noise should stop.

Otherwise, sounds to me as if your problems have been solved and hope that you continue to enjoy your auto.

 

[james jefferson]

AND........don't forget to check to see that all your fuses, under hood and in truck are SEATED!