I have a 99 300M and the battery will drain if the car sits for more than 48 hours. The battery has been replaced and dealership claims there current draw is within specs. Can someone help me?
Try this fold down the rear seats and then close the trunk. See of the trunk light went out, since it is on a seperate system. if it stays on then thats your problem. I have had mine parked while on a trip for over 2 weeks, and it started right up. What your dealer told you was bunk. Have the bettery load tested to see if it can't hold a charge.
The Yahoo 300M message site is busier than the edmunds site. 8 posts on sunday compared to only 2 here. Seems activity here has dropped way off compared to a couple of months ago.
In November, I had a whining noise on cold startup. It required the replacment of the engine belt. Everything was fine. Last weekend while filling the washer fluid I noticed the belt had been frayed, & was in danger of breaking. I took it in on friday to have it replaced again. This weekend, when I put my ported airbox back into the car, I noticed the belt is only half on the pully! So to avoid this I'm getting a belt, & putting it on myself. Now, anyone know the correct belt to put on?
I ordered it Thursday, & WOW it was at my house SUNDAY! Talk about fast! It's quaility is alot better then the other sew on covers. Howerver it is still a sew on cover. I'm no sewer! I hope I can put it on. We will find out next weekend. Thanks for the recommendation, & website link.
I notice NO diference in performance with the stock air intake system with the ported airbox back in my 300M. The intake is quieter, but there's no change in performace from the cone filter bolted directly to the throttle body.
On a side note, I have no emmsions in my state. I'm toying with the idea of cutting my cats off the car, & using stright pipe. Anyone think this might affect the car. I know there are 4 O2 sensors(2 on each cat) This is legal to do in MY STATE. Any muffler shop can do it. Any ideas?
Air intake. Since the stock box still grabs at least half of its air from the outside engine bay it is going to be cooler (better). Ballance that with the lower restrictive cone filter (better), that gets all its air from the heated (bad) engine bay. One question though, did you acually time the two systems? Or are you going by feelings? I can tell you there is not a lot of differance feeling wise between 7.2 and 7.8 in 0-60 times, but it is something you can measure. As for removing the cats, it should help remove some of the restriction, and make the system louder, but it is something I probably woundn't do. If the car had a different transmission, I would probably do it though. What state do you live in again?
I would check the alinement of the pullys and tentioners. Your belts should not be wearing out that fast. Sounds like something is loose. (or the company that was making the old window motors is now making belts)
I know some people (e.g. Racefan9) have been looking for brushed aluminum dash trim kits for the 300M. I think you'll find what you're looking for at: http://www.woodtrim.com. They have brushed aluminum 300M kits listed for $358, and rumor has it they are having a 25% off sale.
Racefan, you owe me a dozen Krispy Kremes for this information.
I can't find the post that showed a shark gill hood. Does anyone know if that mod available? If so where and at what price? I thought that really looked super on the photo. Would look outstanding on my platinum 99M.
Dawin-I have a non-php Y2K 300M with 12,500 miles and I have had zero problems with it. It is a FANTASTIC car!!! Easyrider300M-Part of the problem is the new TH software. It doesn't work nearly as well as the old software. I can't get it to act the same way twice! For example, I click on my favorites link for TH, and it takes me back 50 posts from where I left off. I have to click on "read subscriptions", then find where I left off before. If I want to post, I usually have to click "login" to get the post box to display. I post less because I know it's going to be a hassle getting the software to behave right. Categorization-I for one HATE the boards that post messages in categories or separate threads. I like the long flowing format like we have here at TH. I have signed up for eGroups, but never read the posts anymore because the categorized posts are too scattered and in disarray. Some might like that and toat's fine with me. I personally don't like it and prefer not to participate if it's going to be formatted like that. There was a discussion a long time back about doing something like that off the TH site, but very few people had positive feelings about it. Most of TH's problems come from the crappy new software.
Joshua Tree Woodtrim list real brushed aluminum kits for every make and model, they don't have them, i think this is the third time i've explained this. guess you'll have to wait til june for the kk's...
I contacted So-Cal about the "Shark Gill" hood, they said they out sourced it to a body shop. They told me it cost $1500. to do. I agree it looks really Cooool. If I keep mine I will probably have it done too.
I did talk to the service manager today, about reprograming the engine and transmission chips on my 300M. He told me he would not take the limiter off, until I had my tires changed (still have the GY LS's) and that it would be no problem. The only other changes he mentioned would be if I planned to add NOS. The computer can handle most of the common engine mods. As for the transmission changes, I wanted to know if he could change the shift points and set it so that auto stick mode would shift a higher RPMs than it does now. He said this could be done too, All they would need is an hour to do all the changes. As soon as I get my new wheels and tires, I will set an appointment with them.
Where are you located ? Im replacing the tires on my M this week (Z Rated Rubber) and would love to get the chips reprogrammed (even better if the dealer has practiced on your M first )
Who here has the Eibach Kit ? Ive heard about problems with the Driveshaft and was wondering if anyone noticed anything... I want to drop the car a little for more stability at high speeds...
Michael, can this be true? The dealer can remove the limiter if you have Z rated tires on? Very interesting, heck soon as the stock tires are close, I'd spring for the Z rated rubber just to remove the limiter....
That belt I was ranting about BROKE LAST NIGHT! Almost caused an accindent. I was going home doing about 80, changing lanes to exit, when all of a sudden I heard a POP. Lost my power steering, as I was changing lanes, almost hit 3 cars, & and almost didn't make the exit, & almost hit the gard rail. I still had control of the car, but the power went out of the power steering. So, I limped to the dealer, with the battery light on, & all the accessories off. Only to find out the dealers service dep. was closed. I had to leave it there. Unreal!
How many techs does it take to change a belt right?
Joshua Wood Tree, woodtrim.com, has only factory-match dash kits for the 300M. They do not make a brushed aluminum kit for the car. New this week is a California walnut burl kit for the 2001 300M I/Luxury Group. This kit is not shown on the web site yet, but is available by specifying "Luxury Group match" in the order form comments box. There is a 25% promotion in effect which brings the price to $216.00.
Josua Tree DOES in fact make an aluminum kit for the M (call them) but, as Race pointed out to me, The kit DOES NOT include pieces to replace the wood panels already there, i.e. the door and dash pieces. This would mean that you would have a wood dash, and aluminum center console. They don't have a kit that replaces ALL wood in addition to the addition of the console pieces.
Interestingly enough, my local news is reporting that almost all of the cuts will be on the Chrysler end. There are two DC plants in Alabama including the M-Class plant about 30 miles from me, but they are really Daimler only (Mercedes) plants. Neither one will have any cuts and the M-class plant is even starting a 600 million dollar expansion. Looks like Daimler-Benz is really trashing the Chrysler side of the company.
I talked to the Lou Grubb/Pitre/AutoNation dealer in North Phoenix. She said I would need the tires, or have some proof that I have purchased the tires before they would make any reprogram changes to the vehicle. They would also change the transmission computer to acknolege any tire diameter changes, so I am not restricted by the old dementions. I would not have to worry about staying within the 3% diameter. The only restriction would be if the tire fits, and the off set.
ajpiii - I have the Eibach pro-kit springs. No problems whatsoever. I have heard of no problems with the springs except here in this forum.
300michael - do you suppose I'd get better treatment from Pitre than Earnhardts? My car is in today for replacement of the window motors but I just received a phone call from them. Since they cannot duplicate the problem they will take no action.
I, too, am surprised you found a dealer willing to reprogram the chip. Let me know how things go. It didn't occur to me to have the dealer reporgram my tire size (but I'm within the 3%).
My mistake on Pitre, it is now Lou Grub Chrysler they just bought out the Pitre dealership and moved to 16th Ave and Bell Road. I figured they were the only ones to have the programers, since I could not find a company that even produces one for this car. I am making a list and checking it twice, oops wrong holiday, of things I am going to see if they can reprogram. Like the head lamps staying on for 90 seconds (I want only 15) for example. I have to work for the next 9 days stright so I will be another week and a half at the earlyest. Finding 19" or 20" rims that I like is hard. There is not much of a selection. I want 245/35 20, or 245/40 19, or 275/40 18's. So far it is looking like OZ us going to get my business. I am waiting for a call from Wheel Specialists to see if they can get Breyton's (BMW's only) to fit my car. I will keep my 17" wheels for bad weather driving (meaning rain).
I was treated very well at Earnhardts treated me pretty good, the one time I went there for my free oil change, but that was a year ago. My service manager left at Grubb so I will go meet the new person.
Arizona eh ? Im Jealous.. My local 5* seems to be very conservative and I have a feeling they arent going to want any part of removing the speed limiter ( Z rated rubber or not )... Hmmm Maybe a nice Road trip to Arizona would be fun I have a feeling the trip back would take a little less time
Unfortunately I couldnt order the Eibach kit as it was no longer available... I did however order a H&R Sport Spring Kit (from Tirerack)... Lowers the Car 1.4" Front & 1.3" Rear...
They are a progressive Rate spring that is "Supposed" to maintain ride quality during normal driving...
The Eibach's are supposedly progressive as well. It doesn't matter. You will get a much stiffer ride. I'm not saying "don't do it", I just want you to know going in. You will get a stiffer ride, but you won't get any body roll in cornering and you won't get any nosedive under heavy braking. The car will handle like a much smaller car.
300michael: I have had good luck with Earnhardts, until recently. They told me 2 days to replace the window motors and no loaner car. Then, when I took the car in, they refused to replace the motors because they couldn't get them to fail. ("Yes, we know about the TSBs for the bad regulators, but we're not allowed to fix them unless we see the failure.") What happens if they don't fail until 36,001 miles?
I have checked Luke, Grubb, and Pitre (Scottsdale) all will not change a defect they can not duplicate. Talking to my neighbors said the same thing, also that the motors usually go within a month of reporting it though. You could turn off the rear windows and hope they change the motors before they notice it, like in my case. Before my 3/36K is up I am going to complane about the motors, transmission, and anything else I can think of, so that it is on the record. I too do not want any 36,001 issues comming up.
All I did was complain about the sticking windows. Even though mine did not stick for serveal months. They replaced all 4 of them. I was in for a tranny service, & happend to see another service right up, that said window stuck in up position. I then mentioned it to the dealer. They had no problem with it.
300michael, I called every 5* dealer within 100 miles of me, & none of them will reprogram the computer. Some said it voids the warranty, or they don't have equipment to do it, or they just do not do that. Told me to go to a performance shop. I guess your lucky
You'll love this..... I spoke to JetChip today. Seems they were all set to start selling the modual on Feb 1st. They even updated the website for a little while. I saw it listed there for the 300M. However, yesterday, someone noticed that a little part of the instructions were wrong. They had the wire leads for power, & ground backwards. The power wire was marked ground, & the ground was marked power. They said 2 weeks. Maybe it's a cali thing. Does everything take 2 weeks there. I ordered something from there, & it took 2 weeks to get it. I have something on back order from cali, & it's 2 weeks. Weird???
guess everything they do takes two week, i'm not going to let my m be the lab rat on this one, i'll wait til i hear some good reports, are you gonna be the first to try it???
WOW!!! That's a pretty big error! I'm sure there would have been a "If you kill your car, it's not our fault" disclaimer somewhere. I'm very interested in a report on the JetChip, I just wish it removed the limiter too. That little module has been plagued by gremlins BIGTIME!!!
I remember running into a site that had instructions on adding a sub to the M, even had pics... For the life of me I cant find the site again... Anybody know of a site like this ? I have the 11 speaker Infinity, but need just a little bit more bass...
Took delivery January, 2000. Mileage: 13,000. This car has been a pleasure. Few initial defects, but none the dealer considered "out of spec." I can live with them. Best new car ownership experience - I'm 55. "manual" shifting disappointing, though - the lag time of 3/4 second or so doesn't make for sporty driving. But, overall, very satisfied.
Day by day I am finding out that the M is worth no where near $30,000+. I have only had my deep slate agate 2000, non-php, sunroof, cd changer, full spare, and chrome wheels since October 18 but it now drives like a peice of [non-permissible content removed].
I have babied the car since day one and only have driven 4500 miles so far but it seems much older. The paint is chipping and coming off with numerous flaws and many areas are rough to the touch and no longer shine.
The engine idles and runs rough sometimes and makes loud whining noises. I normally use 89 octane gas and all maintenance has been done. The door seals are bad--it sounds like wind is coming through and when it rains it sounds like water is dripping in.
The dash now rattles and creaks endlessly, even on smooth roads, the headliner makes clicky noises, and the hole front of the car from the dash forward feel and sound like they are about to shake apart when I go over any bumps--along with more creaks and cracks.
Just today the seat started making funny sounds like the motor was on the verge of death even though its position is rarely changed.
I think my car is a lemon. No one else seems to ever have any problems with their M, regardless of year. How serious do the problems have to be to enact the Lemon Law? Will Chrysler buy back my piece of junk like I have heard VW and others do?
i had that page on my site, when msn changed over to the new format it got lost, and i deleted the pics, that was the only copy of the directions i had, dustin should have the speaker wire colors for connecting the speaker level inputs...the sub does add a lot to the system, i have a 10" mtx in a 1.25 cubic foot ported box, with a kenwood 200watt peak amp...plenty of boom boom in the zoom zoom. total cost was $250 and it can be taken out by just removing the speaker wire...
did you wash the car in acid or laquer thinner, or are you babying it at the gas station car wash??? now as far as the seat i have heard some complaints, the dash creaking haven't heard that one, front end falling apart-there is a tsb out on the squeaking front end, some have complained about the weather stripping, i wouldn't call it a lemon...
Listen, Save yourself alot of stress. Get a notebook, wright down all the problems. Take that list goto http://www.alldata.com or http://www.nhtsa.com seach for tsb's for each problem. Print them out, take the whole mess of problems to a good dealer, & have them fix it. Most of the described problems are know tsb's. Dealer has to fix them. Should take 2 days at most. The lemon law's only good after the dealer tries to fix a problem many times without it
Comments
I have had mine parked while on a trip for over 2 weeks, and it started right up. What your dealer told you was bunk. Have the bettery load tested to see if it can't hold a charge.
Whas up wit dat?
Time to rally the troops.
Easyrider300M
-m
In November, I had a whining noise on cold startup. It required the replacment of the engine belt. Everything was fine. Last weekend while filling the washer fluid I noticed the belt had been frayed, & was in danger of breaking. I took it in on friday to have it replaced again. This weekend, when I put my ported airbox back into the car, I noticed the belt is only half on the pully! So to avoid this I'm getting a belt, & putting it on myself. Now, anyone know the correct belt to put on?
On a side note, I have no emmsions in my state. I'm toying with the idea of cutting my cats off the car, & using stright pipe. Anyone think this might affect the car. I know there are 4 O2 sensors(2 on each cat) This is legal to do in MY STATE. Any muffler shop can do it. Any ideas?
As for removing the cats, it should help remove some of the restriction, and make the system louder, but it is something I probably woundn't do. If the car had a different transmission, I would probably do it though. What state do you live in again?
Racefan, you owe me a dozen Krispy Kremes for this information.
Easyrider300M-Part of the problem is the new TH software. It doesn't work nearly as well as the old software. I can't get it to act the same way twice! For example, I click on my favorites link for TH, and it takes me back 50 posts from where I left off. I have to click on "read subscriptions", then find where I left off before. If I want to post, I usually have to click "login" to get the post box to display. I post less because I know it's going to be a hassle getting the software to behave right.
Categorization-I for one HATE the boards that post messages in categories or separate threads. I like the long flowing format like we have here at TH. I have signed up for eGroups, but never read the posts anymore because the categorized posts are too scattered and in disarray. Some might like that and toat's fine with me. I personally don't like it and prefer not to participate if it's going to be formatted like that. There was a discussion a long time back about doing something like that off the TH site, but very few people had positive feelings about it. Most of TH's problems come from the crappy new software.
As for the transmission changes, I wanted to know if he could change the shift points and set it so that auto stick mode would shift a higher RPMs than it does now. He said this could be done too, All they would need is an hour to do all the changes.
As soon as I get my new wheels and tires, I will set an appointment with them.
Who here has the Eibach Kit ? Ive heard about problems with the Driveshaft and was wondering if anyone noticed anything... I want to drop the car a little for more stability at high speeds...
Keith
Let us know what happens.
That belt I was ranting about BROKE LAST NIGHT! Almost caused an accindent. I was going home doing about 80, changing lanes to exit, when all of a sudden I heard a POP. Lost my power steering, as I was changing lanes, almost hit 3 cars, & and almost didn't make the exit, & almost hit the gard rail. I still had control of the car, but the power went out of the power steering. So, I limped to the dealer, with the battery light on, & all the accessories off. Only to find out the dealers service dep. was closed. I had to leave it there. Unreal!
How many techs does it take to change a belt right?
Please take a look and let me know what you think!
Thanks!
KarenS
Host
Owner's Club
New this week is a California walnut burl kit for the 2001 300M I/Luxury Group. This kit is not shown on the web site yet, but is available by specifying "Luxury Group match" in the order form comments box.
There is a 25% promotion in effect which brings the price to $216.00.
300michael - do you suppose I'd get better treatment from Pitre than Earnhardts? My car is in today for replacement of the window motors but I just received a phone call from them. Since they cannot duplicate the problem they will take no action.
I, too, am surprised you found a dealer willing to reprogram the chip. Let me know how things go. It didn't occur to me to have the dealer reporgram my tire size (but I'm within the 3%).
Igor
Im still going to try though...
Unfortunately I couldnt order the Eibach kit as it was no longer available... I did however order a H&R Sport Spring Kit (from Tirerack)... Lowers the Car 1.4" Front & 1.3" Rear...
They are a progressive Rate spring that is "Supposed" to maintain ride quality during normal driving...
The Eibach's are supposedly progressive as well. It doesn't matter. You will get a much stiffer ride. I'm not saying "don't do it", I just want you to know going in. You will get a stiffer ride, but you won't get any body roll in cornering and you won't get any nosedive under heavy braking. The car will handle like a much smaller car.
300michael:
I have had good luck with Earnhardts, until recently. They told me 2 days to replace the window motors and no loaner car. Then, when I took the car in, they refused to replace the motors because they couldn't get them to fail. ("Yes, we know about the TSBs for the bad regulators, but we're not allowed to fix them unless we see the failure.") What happens if they don't fail until 36,001 miles?
Igor
Before my 3/36K is up I am going to complane about the motors, transmission, and anything else I can think of, so that it is on the record. I too do not want any 36,001 issues comming up.
300michael, I called every 5* dealer within 100 miles of me, & none of them will reprogram the computer. Some said it voids the warranty, or they don't have equipment to do it, or they just do not do that. Told me to go to a performance shop. I guess your lucky
I spoke to JetChip today. Seems they were all set to start selling the modual on Feb 1st. They even updated the website for a little while. I saw it listed there for the 300M. However, yesterday, someone noticed that a little part of the instructions were wrong. They had the wire leads for power, & ground backwards. The power wire was marked ground, & the ground was marked power. They said 2 weeks. Maybe it's a cali thing. Does everything take 2 weeks there. I ordered something from there, & it took 2 weeks to get it. I have something on back order from cali, & it's 2 weeks. Weird???
Let us know how it goes when your get everything reprogrammed...
I dont have the PHP and always wished the car handled a little stiffer... Maybe just what the doctor ordered ...
How much did installation run you ? I want to make sure I get a fair price...
I have babied the car since day one and only have driven 4500 miles so far but it seems much older. The paint is chipping and coming off with numerous flaws and many areas are rough to the touch and no longer shine.
The engine idles and runs rough sometimes and makes loud whining noises. I normally use 89 octane gas and all maintenance has been done. The door seals are bad--it sounds like wind is coming through and when it rains it sounds like water is dripping in.
The dash now rattles and creaks endlessly, even on smooth roads, the headliner makes clicky noises, and the hole front of the car from the dash forward feel and sound like they are about to shake apart when I go over any bumps--along with more creaks and cracks.
Just today the seat started making funny sounds like the motor was on the verge of death even though its position is rarely changed.
I think my car is a lemon. No one else seems to ever have any problems with their M, regardless of year. How serious do the problems have to be to enact the Lemon Law? Will Chrysler buy back my piece of junk like I have heard VW and others do?
being fixed. And it has to be the same problem.