2002 Sebring Limited Electrical Woes

15

Asked by TexRodeo Nov 02, 2013 at 10:57 AM about the 2002 Chrysler Sebring Limited Convertible FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

My roomie has a 2002 Sebring Limited Convertible that he had purchased in August 2012 with at the time just over 64k on the digital clock. It now has just over 71k on it. Anyways a few months before this I had an electrical issue that looked like a burned wire somewhere and a puff of smoke under the drivers side engine compartment. I tightened up the loose remote ground on the strut Tower and everything was fine. Later on it did the same to him and he turned the car off and restarted and it was fine. Well about 2 weeks ago he went down to the doctors office and back and armed the security system like normal. I went out about an hour or so later to get the mail in, I happened to look in the car and the security light was not flashing. I open the door and there is No Odometer (It Now reads 0 miles on the clock) There is No dash response from the gauges and warning lights except for the E-Brake Light and Oil Pressure Light come On. I ran the Instrument cluster test with no Errors all working and It indicated "No DTCs", Also there is no Horn, Wipers, Dome Lights, Trunk Release, Power Door Locks/Keyless Entry, AC, Rear Defroster, Dash Light Illumination, Warning Lights, The Trip Computer indicates the Compass Heading but Nothing else, No Power Top or Heated Seats either.

Here is what is Working. The Car Starts and Seems to drive as Normal, I have as I said the E-Brake Light and the Oil Pressure Light on the Dash, The Power Windows, Outside Lights, Turn Signals and Hazards, Reverse Lights, Radio/AMP, Power Mirrors. The Transmission Indicator on the Dash.

I have Posted to every Blog known to man about this. I have Contacted the Dealer that wants $95 just to look at and Diagnose it and If there is Wire repair they will do it for that. But if there is more to it then the Price is More, and That Frightens me immensely when I live on a very fixed monthly income and so does the roomie. I even went as far as emailing Chrysler in order to point out how ridiculous this is at this age of vehicle and the low amount of miles. I also indicated that I never had these kind of issues with any other car including Japanese cars, especially; that I had ever owned and I had explained my financial situation. I then get this very cold form letter back praising their wonderful 5-Star Dealers and their perspective service departments and also the fact that I have no warranty on this vehicle. So No Help with anything thus far and I have an approximately 2500 lb. Paperweight in the driveway. I have Taken this car apart as best as I can with the limited tools and my limited knowledge of cars looking for an obvious frayed of burned wires that I could see. PC/MAC Repair Tech of more years than I care to count, I am. Car Mechanic I know enuff to be Very dangerous. If anyone has any Ideas, Please give me a Shout.

Thanks,

Larry

11 Answers

44,755

Wow- a lot of info here- you are educating me- I don't trust the 21st century cars for just this reason- thanks for the clear posted example of the very scary things that can go wrong- here's what I suggest: somewhere near you is a person who specializes in auto electrical work- an electrical guru- he is probably in a small funky shop, because all he needs is a wiring diagram and an electric ice-pick to do his magic- seek him out and give him tribute- the price might be higher because you have been mucking around in there yourself- then sell that beast and get a low mileage '90s Corolla-

15

Yeah I even went as far as emailing Chrysler Corporate explaining that I am very poor and on a very fixed monthly income and I get back the coldest form letter, ever, informing me that I have absolutely no warranty left, I already know that. And then she goes on to singing the praises of their 5-star dealerships and their perspective service centers. Recommending that I take the car back to them for repairs. I then emailed them back saying that I have never had these problem with any of my Japanese vehicles and that this is the last time I ever purchase an American car, much less would I ever recommend to anyone a Chrysler, Dodge or Jeep. I then proceed to say that this is why American car manufacturers are in the financial fix that they are because of an inferior made and designed product that they will not stand behind. Charging hellish prices for the vehicles on the lots and hellish repairs in their service centers and they will not stand behind a vehicle that new just over 71k miles. Of Course they Never responded.

1 people found this helpful.
6,705

I understand completely. I agree with going to a specialist, NOT the dealership. They are costly out of warranty. I know, I have a 2006, that has been reliable, except mine actually was missing wiring from the factory, and the dealer said squirrels ate them, and they were serious. Anything to avoid paying for an obvious omission. The systems today are complex no matter the brand, and corolla's are not crash worthy. Find yourself a good independent garage, it took time, but I found one. The sebring is a keeper. Good luck.

1 people found this helpful.
15

Well Sparky that sounds like a wild Story with the squirrel gremlins...LOL. Yeah I must say I had never considered problems like this with a somewhat modern car, And I must say that out of the 4 Toyotas, Datsun/Nissan, And Now Infiniti I have never had such problems especially of a car made that recently and with around 71k miles. The only reason this car was purchased is because of yes the obvious being a convertible was secondary. But I had figured as new as the car was and the amount of miles being so very low that this car would hold up. I have personally had 2 Cavaliers and a Dodge Neon and they were very cruel jokes plagued by various issues and malfunctions. In fact the first Cavalier I purchased at year and a half old around and 28k miles on the clock and the computer or PCM started going down in it and did so twice during the time I had owned the vehicle. The first time they replaced the E-Prom Chip and did well for about a year and then It started again with the exact same issues and the last time the entire Box had to be replaced, Thank God It had warranty at the time. But as I said, I thought that American cars may had gotten better over time or improved in general construction, Boy was I wrong. Shall I search for a garage that specializes in or Speaks Chrysler or Chrysler electrical issues? Man I would hate to junk this car at this low of miles, But I am on a very fixed monthly income and I am Not sure If I can afford to repair this car. I am also scared to drive this car from garage to garage to have various diagnoses and price checks done because I am not sure if the fans are even functional, So with the instrument panel not functions (Gauges and Warning Lights), I would have no clue if the car was in danger of overheating. And the AAA that I have only allows for maybe two tows/service calls in a year. I don't have credit cards and can't get credit cards on my income. So It would have to be a One time shot to get this car fixed.

15

This Car is still Not repaired correctly. The Mileage is way off. And the Power Convertible top doesn't operate, Nor does the heated seats, And the security system doesn't arm but will lock the doors with the FOB.

Thanks for getting back. I heard that there is an issue up under the fuse box in the wiring under the dash on these vehicles. I'm going to take the car to a car company that specializes in electrical problems this week. Did you happen to find the the problemed wiring area in your vehicle? I understand not everything is working properly at this time but it sounds as if some problems you stated have been resolved?

15

EkimN, I Never did get the last couple of things repaired. Did you ever figure out your Electrical Gremlins in Your Sebring? It may be a similar issue with this one. I will say I will never take it back to the crook that worked on it like 3 times and the car is still Not totally fixed.

15

Yeah Guru, Its for sale in NC. I think we've about had enough of this mess with an American car. We want to locate a Honda, Perhaps a Civic with better gas mileage and reliability anyway.

Change the turn/wiper control. Chrysler ran everything through that. Not too hard of a fix.

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