Chrysler 300M

pster

Put the old m'r up on ramps last night and located the shifter linkage. Washed as much of it as I could see in WD40 (it is virtually unreachable). No change in stiffness/balky shifter. Still very hard to push into Park. I expect I have yet another problem, not of my causing. This would be normal. I've named my 300M "Anxious". Back to the old 5* triage unit.

fuzzywuzzy

NHTSA investation of the LH cars.

http://www.caranddriver.com/xp/Caranddriver/dai/2003/march/200303- 12_dai_chrysler_sedans.xml

pster

While they are at it, they need to add sticking shift linkage to their investigation.....let's spend tax dollars wisely.

fastdriver

fuzzywuzzy-

They should add to that the fact that there is no shift interlock, at least on the 99 300M. I was shocked one day when I accidentally shifted into R without having to put my foot on the brake pedal. I thought it was a law that auto trannies had to have this "safety" feature. Guess I was wrong.

fastdriver

99_300m_ric_va

I personally like the fact that my 99 has no interlock. I will miss it when I trade up eventually.

ottowrkr

99_300m_ric_va - the interlock can easily be disabled. All you have to do is unplug the electrical connector that goes to the locking device on the interlock cable . Very easy .

 We have been building a ton of Specials with the Nav systems in them . Anybody order a 2004 ???

greasykid1

Have less than 2700 mi. on my 2003 M and am experiencing front break shudder when breaking hard. Does not have to be from high speed . Have broken in the pads with very easy use at first but the problem showed up almost immediately.

Has anyone else had this problem 2003? Had a 2001 with normal brakes. With all the DECONTENTING of the 2003 were the brakes also cheapened?

My 5* ,who is very good at addressing problems will check it out as soon as I can arrange a service date.

kosh_2258

Hmmmm, not unintended acceleration? Oh that's right been there, done that and proven bogus. They need a different excuse as to why they hit something with their vehicle.

One of the complaints read:
PEDAL ACCELERATES ACCESSIVELY WHILE TRAVELING ON HIGHWAY. DEALERSHIP IS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK
another:
AFTER DEPRESSING GAS PEDAL IT BECAME STUCK, CAUSING CONSUMER TO HIT ANOTHER VEHICLE, AND A POLE. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. PLEASE PROVIDE FURTHER INFORMATION.*AK

Damn those unruly pedals that run away like that.

bigmike5

I've been with the board for about four years and I never saw anyone post with that NHTSA problem. Maybe they all died in crashes before they could make a post??

kosh_2258

This amounts to .0001% of all the vehicles in that time frame. Statistically insignificant.

Of the 5 complaints none involved a 300M.

The car can convey the impression of accelerating by itself if:
The current speed is above the cruise control activation point.
The cruise is set, but currently canceled.
The resume button is pressed.

So lets suppose for a minute that somebody accidently/unknowingly pushes on the resume button while the cancel is activated. Depending on how fast they are going the car could accelerate quite briskly trying to get back to the preset speed. Of course the driver is startled because they don't realize the resume button got pressed and they think the car just took off by itself.

Is this scenario likely? Absolutely.

300michael

I am with you Robert. I do not like them and consider them part of the dumbing down of automoviveium.

300michael

Why not try to slip one of those 5.7L engines in one of those 2004 specials.

ottowrkr

300michael, we talk about that every day at work . We would love to take a Special and make it RWD and install the Hemi . Man , now that would really be Special . Oh to have $$$$$ .

indydriver

Hoping to talk my company into leasing a new M for me as a company car. I've scanned some lots here in Indy both inperson and on DC's website. No '04's in sight! I'm trying to help you out and lease an '04 so you can build one more but the dealers seem content to sit on their '03's. I'm looking at the '04 brochure and like the Premium Discount Pkg but don't want chrome wheels. Will the factory accept a delete order on the wheels with the Prem Disc Pkg?

ottowrkr

indydriver - sorry man I dont have any idea about that kind of thing.

mileshoover

indydriver -- go to:

http://www.manassaschrysler.com

in Manassas, VA. They have had one in stock for a few weeks now.
Scroll down the new Chyrsler 300m's; at the bottom is an '04 model.

300michael

Got the back ones installed. I made the mistake of going from 25lbs to 135lbs in a little less then a second. When that back jumped up it nearly scared the hell of of me. I was expecting it to take a couple of seconds nothing so fast. So I will have some adjusting to do after I install the front tomorrow. If you know how hi a CRV 4wd bumper is well mine is higher. It goes lower then the intrax springs, by about an inch the top of the tires nearly hit the plastic well.

indydriver

I'm starting to see them trickle in here now. Actually found an '04 very close to what I want: Graphite over Dark Slate, Prem Disc Grp, PHG etc.

pster

I think I probably need to take the shifter off and the center console panel to get at the shifter linkage to lubricate it...is this difficult?

pster

The dealer service rep doesn't think my engine washing had anything to do with the balky shifter. He said if you press on the brake, you should hear the interlock solenoid action, and there is no sound on my 300M. Consequently, he thinks the shift interlock solenoid may be bad? But I've having a hard time translating that into a shifter that is very hard to move into and out of park and drive, etc. Could the interlock be causing this?

ottowrkr

Don't you have a 99 M ? They don't have the cable with the lock on it so I don't know what the dealer is telling you . Its kind of strange that just after washing the engine this happened. Is it hard going into all positions ? A/Stick ETC. Sometimes we get bad trans at work that have to be changed because the mechanism on the trans itself is stiff,but that's a assembly problem from the transmission plant and don't see how this could happen on your car all these years later. If I was to guess (and that's all I can do without seeing your car first hand) I would say that the shifter cable has seized up to a degree. Really what you have to do to see is climb under the car and pop the end off the shifter cable that attaches to the trans shifter lever . Then go inside and try the shifter , if it has becomes easy to shift its something in the trans . but if its still hard sounds like the shifter cable.

pster

Yes, I do have a 99. I think I understand exactly what you are saying and it makes sense. I will try to detach the shift linkage at the angle point where it then runs through the boot into the tranny. If it shifts easily, then you are suggesting it is the tranny, or at least where the shift linkage enters the tranny. I was thinking that perhaps some of the degreaser (Simple Green) may have gotten inside the little boot that covers the linkage as it goes into the tranny. Not sure I can reach up there with the car on the ramps in my garage, but I'll give it a try. Otherwise, it is probably something sticking in the linkage going back to the shifter itself. I am hoping the console doesn't have to be disassembled. Thanks! Phil

pster

The shifter is really about equally hard to shift out of Park and into Drive, as well as out of Drive and into Park. It can be slipped back into AutoStick and then back into Drive, but it takes quite a bit more push and pull than normal and I don't feel comfortabe doing that at speed....I do it gently because I don't want to damage anything in the linkage system. With a little gentle tugging and pulling, I can get it to move into Drive and Park, and vice versa. Otherwise the car shifts and runs fine.

fastdriver

Just what DC would need now- a BOYCOTT!

http://www.detnews.com/2003/insiders/0303/17/inside-110463.htm

fastdriver

silverbullet4

Haven't posted here for awhile. Took the family to Paris for nine days as a graduation present for my daughter. On the way from the airport to the hotel we saw a Euro 300M (side markers, at least). On the way back to the airport, saw another. There are many models of German and Swedish marques that we don't get in the Etat Unis. They are smaller displacement or deisel models. the wildest was the Smart Car, about 6 foot long, two seats, no overhang, and definitely no crash crumble zone protection. Cute, tho.
As expected, Puegeot and Renault dominate the scene.

The French were courteous and even friendly to us, but we were glad to be out of Europe and airplanes before any serious action in Iraq.

Washed the Silver Bullet today and thanked my lucky stars I live in Texas. God bless America.

Silver

fastdriver

silverbullet4-

"God bless America."

You can say that again!

fastdriver

pster

Dealer service rep just called...complimented me on how nice the engine looked after I cleaned it and told me it had nothing to do with my balky shifter problem. GaFunkenGarbled shifter cable. $220. Ka Ching...now approaching $5500.

Thanks for your help otto, you were right about the gafarbled cable.

Sigh,
Phil

pster

I think there are only 3 more moving parts on my 300M that haven't broken yet (can a sun visor break?)!! Yipppeeeee!! I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!!!

fastdriver

pster-

:-) Don't even say it!

fastdriver

mmcccm

Actually, the little clips that hold the sun visor in place have broken on both of my sun visors. It's one of the few things to go wrong with my car since I bought it.

-MMCCCM

beespecial

Got the chance to Zaino my Special for the first time this weekend. This is great stuff. It makes a great looking car look even better!

5600 miles and still loving this car.

beespecial

I like your choice of colors and options...you just described my Special.

ottowrkr

220 for a shifter cable?? HOLY CRAP !! I still cant figure out how the cable became defective? unless the cable got bent , all it does is let the little metal cable inside slid back and forth a couple of inches?? Its not like its going to wear .

ajpiii

I had mine replaced a couple of months ago... I didnt even realize it wasnt shifting smoothly till the service guy showed me... Total cost to replace = $80...

pster

What can I say? Mechanic's labor in St. Louis went to $100/hour after their strike last summer. I went to a private shop and they said they charged $80/hour, but it might take them longer to diagnose the problem. They said they had to take the console out, +/- $60 part, an hour of labor and then about $25 in envirnomental crap and rags and shop supplies (thievery).

It shifts so smooth now that I am convinced it was defective upon purchase, I just didn't realize it. It was always a bit hard to shift, but got to the point where I had to practically pull with great force to get it to move. It shifts like butter now, like it NEVER did before.

pster

Everyone charges a minimum of $50 here just to tell you what the problem is. Often it's $100 (that's what they were going to charge me to diagnose my failed tranny hydraulic pump a year ago, and not credit it to the final bill!!!!)

pat

Join us tonight, 6-7pm PT/9-10pm ET for another
round of automotive trivia and member-to-member chat.
Test your skills (or multiple choice guessing ability)
against other Town Hall members.

http://www.edmunds.com/townhall/chat/townhallchat.html

Hope to see you there!

beach15

Anyone seen this yet? It's quite clear what car is under all that tape and vinyl--the new 300. Looks nice to me, except for the very square and flat front end. Other than that, it also looks quite big...and should be a great car with the Hemi. I already started saving, because I want one!

http://www.thecarconnection.com/index.asp?article=5862

ruski

the roof is like from the 80's

bigmike5

Musical intro....Wouldn't you really rather have a Buick...or Avalon...." Ugly front, rear looks pretty familiar. Like the roof wing.

kosh_2258

Pretty square and blocky looking - not a good omen. I guess we find out in about 3 weeks.

I don't think Virgil Exner or Elwood Engel would approve. The roofline sort of reminds me of the new Accord. Also it reminds me of the Infinity G45, which reminds me of a 1969 Dodge Polara.

blonda

My first impression was of the Q45 Also -- which at first I didn't like, but after seeing a few in person, I think it's a pretty cool looking car. Of course the fit and finish (which is a big part of the look of the car) is and probably will always be superior to a Chrysler product unfortunately (costs a heck of a lot more too though).

pster

Isn't that a CTS front end?

seeburg222

I'm glad I'm taking good care of my 2000 M. By the looks of those spy pics, I'm going to want to keep it for a loooooooong time!

seeburg222

Thanks guys for the advice to pump up my Mich. Pilot Sport A/S tires a few weeks ago. I have them at 38 psi now and its MUCH better! Rides smoother and doesn't have that latteral instability that it did before. I don't quite understand how pumping up the tires harder can make it ride smoother but you can't argue with success!

jtuoti

if it's got the PHP? Couldn't someone swap the 16" rims for 17"'s and then it would be really hard to tell, right? Also, are there major differences in the years? Should I be looking for one year vs. another? I'm staying away from '99's (no offense to those owning that year) due to it being the first model year. TIA

pster

The php has a noticeably firmer ride and more feedback through the steering column. I'm not sure visually how you can tell other than by perhaps comparing the brake rotors...I think the php rotors may be larger, but I am not positive.

kosh_2258

If the car has PHP the rotors aren't bigger but they are different.

The way to tell is to look through the wheel spokes and see if there is a fairly deep groove between the hub and the inside edge of the rotor disc. That is the external venting that tells you the car has the HD brakes and PHP. If there is no groove present then the brakes are standard and the car doesn't have PHP.

fastdriver

jtuoti-

If you're buying from a Chrysler dealer, you can have them run the VIN. This should give you all the info you want/need, plus some you probably won't want.

fastdriver

ruski

Maybe the "new" M45? (aka Nissan Gloria in Japan)

Why aren't they following the same design theme that they started with Crossfire and Airflite (supposedely next Sebring)