I think everyone is trying to deal with the events and reality of 9/11/01- a very sad day indeed for everyone, but even sadder for those in the vicinity who saw it firsthand.
i think inviting him to a chat session would be an outstanding idea, indeed...
as for fuel grades, i wouldnt pay the extra money for what little help 93 would do for the car, if any, one mile per gallon more could be just a difference in driving techniques...for all i know..
yes, long time no post, ive noticed we're about to fall off the top ten list, have we ever been off the top ten list? since ive been here anyway? not that i know of, but yeah, i believe this attack has something to do with that, understandably.. heck, i barely post lately, of course i do get on often and read everything, but i rarely posts, simply because im too busy with all this to do anyhting with my car, it hasnt even been washed since the attack, i outa post a picture of it, ive never let it get this dirty before...
i know i know, your thinkin, well, you could clean it today. yes, yes i could, and i may very well do that, but ill probably just put the news on and enjoy what little time off im getting...
i hope everyone is doing okay, espessially those of you up there witnessing this every day, i know it must be hard, im still having a hard time with it sometimes and all i see is what i see on tv.. if anyone needs to chat you can email me from my website and i can give you whatever screen name you need, i have several messangers..
i got 29mpg today comign back from baltimore to home...about 140 miles. doing roughly 70mph with the occasional 100+ runs for a few minutes. the car 89 in it about quarter tank and then i filled with 93 before i left baltimore....
p.s. do you think that does any harm? mixing 87 with 93?
Easy, I had the work done at a Jiffy Lube. They had the ATF-4 fluid (Chrysler 7176). The T-Tech service used a machine that shows the progress of the flush and you can see the particles being flushed out of the tranny through transparent tubing. Cost was $80. Next time I will just drop the pan, clean/replace the filter screen unless the fluid looks unusally dirty or burned.
I know how you feel. I too have not touched (except to drive it) my car since the attack. I guess family becomes a little more improtant, going places and doing things together. I have been driving more and modding less. Plus My Cousin just had a Heart Attack it seem bad thing alway happen together. So far he appears to be OK.
hope your cousin is okay man, just been a bad couple weeks for everyone..
well, i got off my [non-permissible content removed] and washed the car today, but then, as the "phases law" always does, and never fails, it rained. figures.
Daewoo Bankruptcy---beats me why that topic has so much interest----posts have dropped off all over Edmunds---people are spending more time with their families and watching the tube---scary times we live in--
I don't recall seeing this link posted here yet. Car-Truck.com says that DC didn't put the 300hp engine in the '02 300M Special because of transaxle failures during testing, and other problems:
painted calipers....nice little touch to it too....;)
and of course the famous hood...just took this picture because you can tell how LOW the front end is. i mean i am loving it, hugs the road. great ride, i dont even hit on speed bumps at all. which was a pleasant surprise. also, the control of the caris VERY much increased. i'm recommending these springs to everyone...there real nice...
osman, those pics are phat. the car looks phat. damn u!! jk i wish we werent on opposite sides of the u.s. im sure me and u would get along great and have some good times too, not to mention 2 of the best looking "M's" around. o yeah sorry, herm u too.!!!!!!!!!
oh hell yea tom, i know FO SHO we would get along, hahah. look man u can tell we already got good taste in cars, and rims. lol. herm u the main man too so dont wry. u knwo whats weird tho...we got u tom out west coast...herm's in central US, and i'm east coast...haha. but we'd have some fun no doubt. i'm thinkin maybe this summer...i'll take a road trip out to cali and stay for a few weeks... with my brother or something like that. i gotta friend who wants to do it too...bonding experience? lol. so we can meet up then. but on the down key...i love black man. i like the teh look of yours better than mine. black on chromes...mmm mmm good
eh tom you like that little touch i gave it? i put AVA on the rear right caliper.....haha. on the front right it says DUBBED...that one was for you. you can't really see'em to well but that wasnt why i really did it.
also recommened to all..if you wanna paint your calipers....here is what i used...
these guys make chemical paint for airline use, so it stands VERY high heat. and they started up about a year ago sellin the paint for calipers and high heat applications like engines...i got that too just waiting for time to pull and paint engine. you dont even have to take caliper off the rotors to paint. all hand done VERY smooth due to latex surfacing it smooths itself out..just flows. very nice texture and looks "wet". its $42.95 a kit. but you can do like 20 calipers easy. i got 3 coats on mine, lol.
denverm - I posted that link a little more than a week ago and about a day after that came across a post at the "allpar" site that contradicted it. Should've posted this last weekend but was busy with other things.
I beginning to feel a bit like a rumor monger so this will be my last post, unless it's derived from official info, about the reason the 2002 300M Special was less special than anticipated. I apologize if I've been boring you all with this stuff, just thought you might be interested based on some of your previous posts.
There's a Web site, "www.allpar.com", geared towards ChryCo, and now DC, products that includes several discussion forums. One person posts under the moniker, "Mr. Source". Apparently, like ottowrkr here, he works for DC but it sounds more like his job is at the corporate office level. Anyway, he was responding to a discussion about that info at the Car & Truck News site that I'd referenced in a previous post. What follows is my summary of his comments (wasn't sure if I'd be violating some sort of rule if I had C&P the text of his post). At the time of this post, his comments were no longer available (old messages don't remain long on that "News & Rumors" forum). I did save them in a text file that I could post here if it's O.K. to do so.
It seems the reason the 2002 Special wasn't boosted to 300 HP was that the the DC marketing gurus figured the resulting sale price would be too high. Apparently, the Special had been undergoing testing for about a year before it was revealed to the automotive press. During that test period, some minor problems were discovered and they were solved. The increase in HP was there and a different trans was installed. Those changes, when added to the suspension, wheel/tire, and cosmetic changes, ended up with a sales price that the marketing people figured was too high. My question is - What do the marketing gurus consider to be "too high"? Taking a line from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" - "Who are those guys?"
BTW, "Mr. Source" stated that there wasn't a problem with the trans currently in use. In fact, he stated that the current trans (mechanically, maybe not speed sensor-wise as some have posted about here) was actually a good one. he also mentioned how others had been increasing HP/torque on Prowlers and 300Ms and weren't experiencing any related trans problems. The different trans referred to is, I believe, a 5-speed that has less parasitic losses then the current 'M trans. I seem to recall reading something about it a couple months back. Of course, ottowrkr may have info that blows all this stuff out of the water.
To yosito who responded to my previous post - Any info I come across I take with a grain of salt and that includes what I find at sites like Car & Truck News. That's why I stated, in that previous post, that it was up to the reader to decide if it was a plausible explanation. I did appreciate your response concerning the accuracy of the info at that site.
Well, "knock on wood" did me no good. After posting about the sticking windows for someone else last week, the "virus" hit my M on Saturday. Driver window would not go down, but I could hear the cellanoid or whatever clicking when I hit the button. Used my previously patented "fist to glass" technique to no avail, so I figured I would have to have the dealer look at it on Wed. when it goes in for a service. It had been sitting in the sun on Sat.while I worked in the garage, and I had washed the wheels and used Windex [with vinegar] on the windows. [Windex sucks by the way--have never liked it] Tried the button after I put it back in the garage and then a few hours later, and on Sunday morning, all to no avail. Low and behold on Sunday p.m. on the way to play golf I hit the button again and it opened to the sound of a pop-like it had broken loose from sticking to the moulding, and a squeeking sound-again like it was sliding dry surface to dry surface as it opened. Well, when I got home from golf [after a nice 78] it was a quick spray of silicon in the hollows of the moulding and via a cloth along the edge of the glass. Now it moves "smooth as greased glass" again. So my advice to all is to silicon the edge of the glass on your windows, and spray in the edge of the moulding where it meets the glass. The seal is apparently so good/tight that anything that might cause the window to stick or bind, will. Thought I would have to use my extended warranty for the first time. 3 years and 34,000 miles of smiles. She will be going in for a 6"-1"-1" racing stripe on passenger side either this week or next, I am still negotiating with the installer, and can't decide between gold or dark blue, on the platinum.
When mine stuck, I did that. Didn't last long. Just leave it next time, & have the dealer replace them. Then you won't have to mess with the window again. Why "live" with it?
When I went out to the garage this morning to leave for work, I discovered that the bicycle rack and the 2 bikes it holds had fallen over during the weekend into my M. Dents and gouges on the right front door and fender. Bummer!! I don't know why we have even kept the bikes....my wife's back and my arthritic knees haven't allowed us to ride them for several years. Now my poor M has to make a trip to the body shop. I'm not sure if the damage can be fixed without replacing the door and fender, but I am sure that some repainting will be required and I know how difficult metallic silver is to match. I could kick myself for keeping those bikes around. Darn! Lynn
Very good info. Sorry I can not shed any answers on the 300 H.P question. We in the plant never really get reasons why they (DC) do what they do. All we see is what they give us to build .I think the cost factor was a big reason for sure IMOP. I imagine exterior appearance was higher on the priority list than more power. If your going to sell the car for more money you better make it look like the value for the money is visible on the car.Even with no more H.P the Special is still great value . Figure out what 18's ,dual exhast , HID,body cladding and lowered suspension would cost to add to a regular 300 , way more than the option cost . I figure we will sell quite a few of them .
from drpixel. I am BACK @da Fed...Target #3 (..well, now maybe #1...). It is extremely eeery downtown....police presence is VERY apparent....Army/National guard all over the place. It very hard to NOT look at where the WTC was.....the city did a pretty good job cleaning things up near the Bank, but the smeel of smoke lingers, as there are still fires burning....
I'm amazed at the lack of compassion and the level of stupidity of 'tourists' who are in the city even today...stopping and taking pictures of themselves standing in front of where the WTC used to be. They are not letting ayone close to Ground Zero, but the have opened Broadway on the EAST side if the street to pedestrians......sigh.
This morning, I had to go through a metal detector inside the Bank, dumping posckets full of change into lucite boxes, removing keys, pagers, etc....even had to open up my usual cup of coffee for inspection..but I feel better knowing they are doing this....makes me feel a wee bit safer....
going home tonight will be just as weird.....but at least I'm back and have seen many of my friends who I was very concerned about..... a drpixel-sized hug (XXL today..) to all my friends here on the board....the Doc is BACK.....
I took my son to school today and then went to the local starbucks for some Java. Upon returning to my car I found it wouldn't start. Just a loud *CLICK* when I turned the key. I kept trying, waited, tried some more...nothing. Ony 4200 mile on her and she's dead in a parking lot with 6 inches of door clearance room on each side. Cripes.
The only thing I don't like about the appearance of that car (in the pictures I've seen) is the color of the ground effects skirts - black or grey depending on the car's color. Chrysler should paint the skirts same as the car color.
That's what too much caffeine will do to you. Did you take your battery terminal off to reset the engine computer? That's the kind of indication a loose terminal can cause.
Try turning on your headlights and see if they are full bright, then try cranking with the lights on.
Well, got the M back. They did a total hack job! Said another leak was in the door jam, around where the grey foam piece is. In the following pic the 2 circles is where the sealant is. It's this black stuff. Really ugly. The pic doesn't show it, but this stuff is all over the place. The guy really went overboard. It's gooked on, & they got it all down the door jam, & on the door sill. I'm very mad! They said it was leaking at the firewall too. I think it wasn't, & there trying to get away with the $380 they charged me to take the whole dash out, to fix the firewall leak only to find out it wasn't coming from there. Hence the sealant on the door jam. I'm VERY VERY UPSET. For the first time, I'm not gald to own a 300M. Like I said it's not the cars, it's the service. If this was a BMW, the guy who did this job would have been fired! Now with this on there, anyone who looks at the car for trade in, or if I sell it, will notice it, & question it. Then the resale will drop even more!! They also got my new door panel in, too bad it was it didn't have the chrome switches my 2000 has, or teh correct color wood That's another problem. Man I can't belive this great dealer I had suddenly went sour. I'm not the only one. There were a few people I talked too who felt the same way that were waiting for their cars. Such a shame!
Roger - I checked all that stuff. Everything still has plenty of power...except the starter. The tech at the 5* (soon to be corrected to 4*, as you'll see in a minute) opened the hood and dug around while Big Red was marooned in their driveway, and his opinion was that the starter failed.
Well, I sat in a chair in front of Big Red at the Starbucks to make sure that nobody hit my car doors. Success, although it took a couple of uncomfortable glares. Now the fun. The flat bed tow truck arrived and soon was dragging my car up it's ramp backward out of the parking spot. I heard a strange noise while he was doing this...and about 1/2 way up I realized that he was dragging the nose of the car across the pavement!! It was too late to do anything, so he pulled it on up to the truck. Upon delivery at the dealer I made them get some blocks to keep the same thing from happening while lowering the car off the truck. Success. However, my 5*...er...4* quickly pointed out that replacement of the front cowling isn't covered under warranty, and that the towing company is responsible for it. Better yet, they said "all cars get scraped up there..so don't worry about it". I was ok with the first comment, but the second comment was what cheesed me off. I called DC roadside service and filed a claim for the scraped cowling that was damaged by the towing company that THEY hired. I'm tempted to have the 4* replace it, but then I'd have to fight for reimbursement. I'll just wait until they approve the repair, I guess.
So now I'm driving a...tada...Ford Focus. At least it's red, and paid for by DC.
Sorry to hear that Scotian's monkeys have infiltrated your dealer. I would immediately ask for the name and number of the DC regional service manager, and take pictures of their repair while they watched you do it. Make plenty of noise, brother.
Fuzzy--when it gets time to sell or trade, just tell them the goop is Ziebart rust proofing or sound proofing. They are both black and goopy looking. Heck--the "rust protection" might make its resale value higher. yuck, yuck.
My son set a heavy folded banquet table againat the wall in front of his VW New Beetle. He turned around,and ...you guessed it...the table fell over on the hood. It left the outline of the steel table skirt creased into the hood. What makes it tough is there is no one else to blame! Hope all comes out well.
Well since there was a little discussion about whether or not 93 really made a difference I decided to try it today... I filled er up with 13 gallons of the good stuff, drove to work and back (about 100 miles) and cant believe the difference.. Throttle response seems much better... I decided to whip out the G-Tech to see if it was just me... I turned off traction like I usually do, but to my surprise, instead of loosing traction for a little while and hooking up, I could not get traction at all ! My 0-60 time was horrible only because the power just didnt get to the ground...
Has this happend with anyone else's M ? Do you think the 93 just brings out the potential of the Mods a little more ?
osman, thanks for the compliment i also like the slate, but its too hard to keep clean. i was actually looking to buy a silver one like pimp daddy herm's, but i got a deal and a half on mine so i couldnt complain.!!!!! i love my "m", thats all i have to say. love the compliments i get on it everyday.!!!!! even the girlies like m "M".
My 2001 M has developed a vibration noise coming from the area of the overhead information console when I'm driving at higher speeds on certain pavement types (such as concrete bridge decks). I am sometimes able to reduce or eliminate the vibration by holding my hand on the area. Has anyone else had this annoyance? Is there a known fix?
If that was my car I would be getting the owner of the dealer to see what his monkeys did . Then if he was also a monkey ,how about a pic sent to our newest member DC CEO ,D Zetsche .
Either my 4* will go back to 5* or down to 3*. I'm not sure yet. They claim to have dug around in the electrical system and found that a wire was loose on my positive battery junction at the front of the motor. They said that the installer of "whatever aftermarket device I had installed" must not have tightened things up. They clearly saw the basslink power wire that was connected there. I'm not sure if they're just making an excuse or what. Here's why I think they might be.
1) The problem occured this morning after already have started it twice. Not 3 months ago when the basslink was installed, or 3 weeks ago when I disconnected the battery to re-set my computer.
2) Everything else worked. All of the accessories, lights, radio, sunroof, computer, etc. If something was disconnected, it seems that something other than the starter wouldn't be getting power. In fact, the basslink where they said the connection problem occured worked fine.
3) They didn't charge me for what they said was a non-warranty item, after claiming to having spend a couple of hours diagnosing the problem.
So, what do I make of this. If they didn't charge me for something that I screwed up, they go back to 5* category. If they made up the story just to get out of paying my rental car for the day they go to 3* status. Maybe otto can tell me how everything but the starter would work if something wasn't tightened correctly at the positive terminal.
Because the starter takes a ton of battery power to work ,if you dont have a really good conection it may not turn. Your lights and radio work because they take much less power.I would say the dealer did a good job on this .As soon as they saw the power wire for the amp on that jumper block they could have charged you for the service as it had been changed from how it comes from the factory. I would say 5* .
Maybe it's 5* then. Just seems strange that it would work fine for weeks and then stop. I think the cable to the starter has a looped connector which slides over the terminal bolt. So, if the cable was on the terminal and the nut was tight (it was), It doesn't make sense that there was any kind of "bad connection". I checked when I was stuck...It was a solid connector sandwich on that bolt. Oh well, I guess I should just be happy that the car runs again and it only cost me the price of a Ford Focus rental from Enterprise.
By the way otto, I like your flag. Thanks for the support.
Think I'll try flying a few here. Canada, for where our M's are made, Sweden, for where my grandparents came from, and USA, where I'm proud to have been born and call my home.
i thought i posted about my problem my bad...after a trip to teh dealer about the speed sensor...i came back to find out the ecu spit out 5 codes, clutch was stripped, 3rd gear was burned out, transmission was shot, the shifting was all wrong, and the PCM module was screwy. so after a week at teh dealer i got a brand new transmission, brand new ecu, and i'll take pics of these new parts...its a "FLASH PCM" and a "FLASH TCM". and i got a new clutch and 3rd gear of course. all under warranty didnt charge ma cent. otto you know anythign abotu the flash tcm and pcm? they just put two big stickers under my hood that said parts replaced with new blah blah and the date (9/17/01). but the car is running excellent, shifts real nice, and the springs made a big big difference i love the feel now. you can really switch lanes with a vengeance an not worry about sway or slipping.
i agree with you rick, i still think the special 300m is gonna be a very nice car. personally i'll be getting the side skirts and paint then the color of the car, and also get the side view mirrors with turn signals on the outside. i just love those too much...
Comments
I think everyone is trying to deal with the events and reality of 9/11/01- a very sad day indeed for everyone, but even sadder for those in the vicinity who saw it firsthand.
fastdriver
as for fuel grades, i wouldnt pay the extra money for what little help 93 would do for the car, if any, one mile per gallon more could be just a difference in driving techniques...for all i know..
yes, long time no post, ive noticed we're about to fall off the top ten list, have we ever been off the top ten list? since ive been here anyway? not that i know of, but yeah, i believe this attack has something to do with that, understandably.. heck, i barely post lately, of course i do get on often and read everything, but i rarely posts, simply because im too busy with all this to do anyhting with my car, it hasnt even been washed since the attack, i outa post a picture of it, ive never let it get this dirty before...
i know i know, your thinkin, well, you could clean it today. yes, yes i could, and i may very well do that, but ill probably just put the news on and enjoy what little time off im getting...
i hope everyone is doing okay, espessially those of you up there witnessing this every day, i know it must be hard, im still having a hard time with it sometimes and all i see is what i see on tv.. if anyone needs to chat you can email me from my website and i can give you whatever screen name you need, i have several messangers..
http://phases78.homestead.com/300m.html
phases
p.s. do you think that does any harm? mixing 87 with 93?
Silver
well, i got off my [non-permissible content removed] and washed the car today, but then, as the "phases law" always does, and never fails, it rained. figures.
ah well..
http://car-truck.com/chryed/buzz/b091201.htm
painted calipers....nice little touch to it too....;)
and of course the famous hood...just took this picture because you can tell how LOW the front end is. i mean i am loving it, hugs the road. great ride, i dont even hit on speed bumps at all. which was a pleasant surprise. also, the control of the caris VERY much increased. i'm recommending these springs to everyone...there real nice...
Tom
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/01_38/b3749001.htm
tom
(dubs)
also recommened to all..if you wanna paint your calipers....here is what i used...
http://www.carstyling.com
these guys make chemical paint for airline use, so it stands VERY high heat. and they started up about a year ago sellin the paint for calipers and high heat applications like engines...i got that too just waiting for time to pull and paint engine. you dont even have to take caliper off the rotors to paint. all hand done VERY smooth due to latex surfacing it smooths itself out..just flows. very nice texture and looks "wet". its $42.95 a kit. but you can do like 20 calipers easy. i got 3 coats on mine, lol.
I beginning to feel a bit like a rumor monger so this will be my last post, unless it's derived from official info, about the reason the 2002 300M Special was less special than anticipated. I apologize if I've been boring you all with this stuff, just thought you might be interested based on some of your previous posts.
There's a Web site, "www.allpar.com", geared towards ChryCo, and now DC, products that includes several discussion forums. One person posts under the moniker, "Mr. Source". Apparently, like ottowrkr here, he works for DC but it sounds more like his job is at the corporate office level. Anyway, he was responding to a discussion about that info at the Car & Truck News site that I'd referenced in a previous post. What follows is my summary of his comments (wasn't sure if I'd be violating some sort of rule if I had C&P the text of his post). At the time of this post, his comments were no longer available (old messages don't remain long on that "News & Rumors" forum). I did save them in a text file that I could post here if it's O.K. to do so.
It seems the reason the 2002 Special wasn't boosted to 300 HP was that the the DC marketing gurus figured the resulting sale price would be too high. Apparently, the Special had been undergoing testing for about a year before it was revealed to the automotive press. During that test period, some minor problems were discovered and they were solved. The increase in HP was there and a different trans was installed. Those changes, when added to the suspension, wheel/tire, and cosmetic changes, ended up with a sales price that the marketing people figured was too high. My question is - What do the marketing gurus consider to be "too high"? Taking a line from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" - "Who are those guys?"
BTW, "Mr. Source" stated that there wasn't a problem with the trans currently in use. In fact, he stated that the current trans (mechanically, maybe not speed sensor-wise as some have posted about here) was actually a good one. he also mentioned how others had been increasing HP/torque on Prowlers and 300Ms and weren't experiencing any related trans problems. The different trans referred to is, I believe, a 5-speed that has less parasitic losses then the current 'M trans. I seem to recall reading something about it a couple months back. Of course, ottowrkr may have info that blows all this stuff out of the water.
To yosito who responded to my previous post - Any info I come across I take with a grain of salt and that includes what I find at sites like Car & Truck News. That's why I stated, in that previous post, that it was up to the reader to decide if it was a plausible explanation. I did appreciate your response concerning the accuracy of the info at that site.
What was the cure for the tranny prob you had---was it covered under warranty?
When are you doing the suicide doors, solenoids, and video monitors?
keep up the good work---
Easyrider300m
also check out the UGLY CAR sites on the top ten list---
Lynn
I'm amazed at the lack of compassion and the level of stupidity of 'tourists' who are in the city even today...stopping and taking pictures of themselves standing in front of where the WTC used to be. They are not letting ayone close to Ground Zero, but the have opened Broadway on the EAST side if the street to pedestrians......sigh.
This morning, I had to go through a metal detector inside the Bank, dumping posckets full of change into lucite boxes, removing keys, pagers, etc....even had to open up my usual cup of coffee for inspection..but I feel better knowing they are doing this....makes me feel a wee bit safer....
going home tonight will be just as weird.....but at least I'm back and have seen many of my friends who I was very concerned about..... a drpixel-sized hug (XXL today..) to all my friends here on the board....the Doc is BACK.....
Doc
Calling DC roadside assistance now.
Later
Try turning on your headlights and see if they are full bright, then try cranking with the lights on.
http://albums.photopoint.com/j/View?u=1280600&a=9485515&p=54473524&Sequence=0&res=high
Well, I sat in a chair in front of Big Red at the Starbucks to make sure that nobody hit my car doors. Success, although it took a couple of uncomfortable glares. Now the fun. The flat bed tow truck arrived and soon was dragging my car up it's ramp backward out of the parking spot. I heard a strange noise while he was doing this...and about 1/2 way up I realized that he was dragging the nose of the car across the pavement!! It was too late to do anything, so he pulled it on up to the truck. Upon delivery at the dealer I made them get some blocks to keep the same thing from happening while lowering the car off the truck. Success. However, my 5*...er...4* quickly pointed out that replacement of the front cowling isn't covered under warranty, and that the towing company is responsible for it. Better yet, they said "all cars get scraped up there..so don't worry about it". I was ok with the first comment, but the second comment was what cheesed me off. I called DC roadside service and filed a claim for the scraped cowling that was damaged by the towing company that THEY hired. I'm tempted to have the 4* replace it, but then I'd have to fight for reimbursement. I'll just wait until they approve the repair, I guess.
So now I'm driving a...tada...Ford Focus. At least it's red, and paid for by DC.
-M
What makes it tough is there is no one else to blame!
Hope all comes out well.
Has this happend with anyone else's M ? Do you think the 93 just brings out the potential of the Mods a little more ?
tom
(DUBS)
1) The problem occured this morning after already have started it twice. Not 3 months ago when the basslink was installed, or 3 weeks ago when I disconnected the battery to re-set my computer.
2) Everything else worked. All of the accessories, lights, radio, sunroof, computer, etc. If something was disconnected, it seems that something other than the starter wouldn't be getting power. In fact, the basslink where they said the connection problem occured worked fine.
3) They didn't charge me for what they said was a non-warranty item, after claiming to having spend a couple of hours diagnosing the problem.
So, what do I make of this. If they didn't charge me for something that I screwed up, they go back to 5* category. If they made up the story just to get out of paying my rental car for the day they go to 3* status. Maybe otto can tell me how everything but the starter would work if something wasn't tightened correctly at the positive terminal.
By the way otto, I like your flag. Thanks for the support.