Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!

Chrysler Sebring Electrical Problems

245

Comments

  • pegiazpegiaz Member Posts: 1
    My daughter has been driving this car and it stalled on her. She took it to a mechanic and he couldn't find anything wrong with it. She has been afraid to drive it and it has been sitting for several months. I tried to start it and the battery was dead, so I put a battery charger on it. After it charged awhile, I tried to start it and it barely turned over, just did a lot of clicking, so I put a new battery in it, and when I hooked the cable up the motor started turning over without the key in it. A guy at the Chrysler dealership said it must be a stuck starter. Is it possible to loosen the starter bolts and free it like I have done on older cars? It was a pain taking the wheel and plastic cover off just to replace the battery, so I suppose the starter is also hidden away somewhere. Any suggestions? Thanks, Byron
  • mtr52mtr52 Member Posts: 4
    Recently bought a 2004 Sebring convertible Lxi

    I was driving in a heavy rain. Noticed what seemed to be a flash of light on the
    steering wheel. Wasn't sure, beside it was raining hard and thought maybe just a shadow. I couple of minutes later the charging light (red battery light on dash) came on and stayed on until I got home (about 30 minutes).

    The next day it was fine for a while and then came on again. The following day the ,light came on again and the dash lights (odometer, shift lights) started flashing and then were fine.

    The rest of the day I didn't have any problems, until I started the car at night, turned the lights on and the engine died. I immediately tried restarting the car and it started fine and ran home fine (about 20 minutes) and nothing seemed wrong. But tomorrow is a new day.

    Could rain cause this, or am I looking at something else?
  • bena8837bena8837 Member Posts: 26
    The windshield washer pump works only when it wants. It was taken to the dealer when in warranty and wouldn't you know it, it worked. Now it has quit working again. Reservoir is full of fluid. Has anyone had this problem where it works intermittenly? The wipers work fine.
  • bernman402bernman402 Member Posts: 1
    My1996 JXI convertible RPM gauge won't work. First it was intermintent now it won't work at all. The odometer wont show until the RPM gauge is reading. When the gauge does work it shows the new correct milage.
    Anyone ave any ideas to repair?
    Thanks
  • sebring98sebring98 Member Posts: 1
    You could have a burnt-out wiring bridge. You have to expose the wire harness in the engine compartment by removing certain things. For me it was the battery and tray, and the 2computers with their bracket. Then there was a big section of plastic that boxed in the harness near the fuse box. Thats the area you really need to get to and check out!
    OK///.. If you see a group of wires going to a white rectangular plastic plug but its not connected to anything, thats a wiring bridge. You need to be able to unclip and inspect the colored plastic inserts that plug into the bottom of that bridge. They should be clean and a thin film of white lithium grease is recommended. If you see melting of the clip (or burnt to a crisp in my case lol), then you need to resolder the leads that were bridged together. Then INSULATE the bridge you just made so it will not ground out!

    Good luck
  • earzanearzan Member Posts: 2
    Hi. I have a Chrysler Sebring 1997 and it has been an excellent car. The problem I am having right now is that when I turn off the wipers, they stop immediately (they do not finish in the bottom part of the windshield). I was getting ready to buy the motor (even though the motor works) becuase it comes with the electrical part thinking this is the problem. However the seller told it could be also the switch where you turn the wipers on and off. Do you know any way how to check which is the problem? Any suggestion or comments? Should I take the chance to buy the motor or should I go to the directly to the dealer? Thank for your help.

    Eli
  • danseguindanseguin Member Posts: 1
    Crusing along and suddenly the domelights, power locks, bells & door ajar lights begin to go on and off. Can not for the life of me find the door switch, does anyone know this secret location for a 2002 Sebring convertable? Pulling on the door while driving will make it go away, tried adjusting the latch but to no solution. Do not want to adjust the door any more since it now requires a firm push to make it latch.
  • bubba_g63bubba_g63 Member Posts: 3
    I have a 97 Sebring JXI Convertable with 154,000 miles on it and I have several problems with it: (1) the tach and the LED readout on the speedometer go out and then comes back on, it loses power and stalls out after being driven for @ 15 minutes and now when I open the door, the radio goes dead. Should I use C4 explosive on it or is there another solution? Can someone help me please? :mad:
  • mtr52mtr52 Member Posts: 4
    I have a 2004 Serbring Conv. that has been doing similar things. I asked a mechanic about it and he said it sounds like a corroded battery cable. Haven't had time to check it out yet. It's a pain gettign to the battery. Not sure if this will help.
  • bubba_g63bubba_g63 Member Posts: 3
    It's worth checking out. Thanks.
  • mtr52mtr52 Member Posts: 4
    Have you been able to find anything out yet? Mine seems to be working fine.
  • bubba_g63bubba_g63 Member Posts: 3
    I found a guy (my nieces paternal grandfather) who is Chrysler certified who fixed most of the problems ( cracked distributor cap, replaced distributor, replaced crank sensor, valve cover gasket and a major tune up) and it runs fine, but I'm still having problems with the tach and odometer going out. He checked the wiring and the cables and they appear to be in good shape.
  • sever2008sever2008 Member Posts: 1
    hy i'v got the seame problem wheat the heat of my sebring ,i work on my car 3 days pul out completley the face of interior of the car to se the problem the heat motor works the control panel works clean all the electric conection and the heat steel don't work,then i maket a reactualization of the ac instalation seting like this 2-3 times and finaly the heat function
    so lisen up here my friendmake like this and i hope work for you to: set the first buton to step 2,then set the midle buton to max. cold air ,then set the 3 buton to window direction air then push the defreeze buton for 10-15 second and the automatic seting for ac start and indicate you the proces on board of the car were you see the kilometers and after finishing your cold air normali is to start working.hope work for you to.scuse me my english but i'm from romania and i don't know to rite very wel in english .good luck my name is Sever.
  • austingirlaustingirl Member Posts: 1
    Hoping someone can help me. I have a 2006 Chrysler Sebring convertable. My airbag light came on suddenly last night on my way home from work. Are there any tricks I can try before I take it toa repair shop and get socked with a sizeable repair bill. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
  • sebringbcsebringbc Member Posts: 1
    It all started with my dash light not working. Went to the dealer, they said it was fixed but then few days later it stopped again. Went back again and they can't find the problem so I just wasted over $200 for nothing. So, now I'm driving for over 2 years with the light coming on sometimes just for few seconds and then black again. Then just recently I broke my fog light when washing the car. I replaced the whole bulb, but the light did not come on. I asked my dealer to check that for me. I was informed that I need multifunction switch for $300 + labor, so I decided that I don't need the fog light and save myself some money. When the mechanics bypass the multifunction switch the light worked, so they said it is definitely that. The next day when it started raining I turn on my wipers and they are not working. I wasn't very happy because I knew I can drive without the fog lights but I can't without the wipers...no way. Back to the dealer to fix this problem but I had no idea that they will screw up something else. Next day I went to pick up my car, I was happy that my wipers and fog lights are working (multifunction switch didn't fix the dash light problem) not realizing that this time I have no left or right turn signal, (no hazard light) that is horrible on behalf of the service department that they didn't check if everything is working fine. When I realized what going on I turn around and back to the dealer but this time I wasn't nice at all. Because it was Saturday and no mechanics in the shop, I just can't wait for Monday. I would like to know what they have to do to fix all my problems and preventing this from happening again. Any sugestions? Thanks in advance.
  • SebringGremlinSebringGremlin Member Posts: 2
    I've read alot on here about Sebring electrical "Gremlins". (scary). So I'm gonna throw mine out there and hope to get some ideas of what might be going on.

    2002 Sebring sedan 2.7 V6: I already know I need a blower motor resistor which controls fan speed. (Only works on highest setting). Radio acts screwy sometimes works, sometimes just clock and no radio,radio dies sometimes if a preset button is pushed or a cd is inserted. mess w the fuse for radio and keeps it going for awhile or if I shut car off and restart that helps...sometimes...ugh. Also, lights for instrument cluster get flickery if set to highest setting and when I use directional, I turned dimmer down 1 setting and no more flicker??? And now for the final piece of resistance, My heat stays hot as long as my foot is on the gas but if sitting at a light or in traffic it goes cold, the faster I go the hotter it gets, the slower, the cooler, coolant checked at was shown to be fine. If anyone has any helpful advice I would be most grateful!!! :confuse:
  • SebringGremlinSebringGremlin Member Posts: 2
    Just an update on my Gizmo Sebring! Recently posted msg. #75 regarding elecrical gremlins and heat issues. Well, I've still got the electrical issues but I did get my heat issue fixed. Had a heater core back flush done and it seemed to do the trick. Still got to get the blower motor resistor but at least I don't have to give it gas anytime I need some hot air!! LOL. So for anyone with this same issue I would give it a shot.
  • racnocdebracnocdeb Member Posts: 1
    I have a 97 Sebring Coupe. This evening I put car in park, turned off ignition, removed keys and went in the house. Later I looked outside and the tail lights were still on. Checked brake pedal (not stuck), emergency brake (fully disengaged). Can't get the lights to go off and now the battery (several hours) went dead.
    Anybody heard of tail lights staying on? Electrical problem?? Any suggestions?
  • dave907dave907 Member Posts: 1
    Have a 2001 Sebring convertible with just under 80,000. It seems that when weather gets below 30 degrees, it blows fuse for the starter, radio and gasoline guage. Have had it checked and thus far no shorts found. Anyone have suggestion? I carry a large supply of 20 amp fuses, but that really is no solution.
  • silverstone7silverstone7 Member Posts: 8
    I know this is going to sound crazy but have the battery tested for a shorted cell.. Drives the ECM (computer) nuts... Had a 99 that did the same thing.. Would start and run but would do all kinds of crazy stuff.. If that doesn't do it my bet is the ECM is bad...

    Tim S..
  • silverstone7silverstone7 Member Posts: 8
    Got to be a short in that wire that exposes itself when cold.. One other thing it could be is the starter, specifically the solenoid portion of the starter.. Could be when cold is shorts out.. BTW 20 amps is a big fuse to blow.. I would get to the bottom of the problem before this thing light up.. Like in that funky burning electrical smell way.

    Tim S..
  • silverstone7silverstone7 Member Posts: 8
    Solenoid is bad.. Tap it Starter/solenoid assy. (LIGHTLY with a hammer) and see if it stops turning over with out the key..

    Plan on replacing it as it won't get better just worse over time..

    Tim S..
  • JeremyH82JeremyH82 Member Posts: 5
    Hey everyone, my car has an electrical problem related to the ignition switch fuse...

    It went out on Tuesday, everything was off except for my interior lights, and my door ajar light...

    Nothing happened when I turned the key on... NONE of my gauges worked. Turns out, my Ignition SW Mod Fuse keeps blowing.. not sure why and before I spend the $1100 to get it checked out, does anybody have any suggestions as to why my car would keep doing this...

    I had it started today, and driving, but as soon as i got to the bottom of the driveway, it shut off again, and kept blowing the fuse... How i got it started was, took off the negative battery terminal, let the computer reset, replaced the burnt fuse while the computer was resetting (the cable was off), and then put the negative terminal back on, and it started and ran for 15 minutes, w/o a problem... it started a total of 5 times before I moved it...

    I do have a friend who is mechanically inclined, thank god!!! I did take it to a garage when it died, they don't want to fix it, so i towed it home...

    It's a gorgeous car, and just bought new headlight assemblies for it, which i haven't had a chance to install as it died on me... When I meet Lady Luck, she's getting a C*$K-Meat Sandwich!!!

    Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!!
  • grossmusicgrossmusic Member Posts: 1
    I never saw this post when I had the EXACT SAME PROBLEM at the same time, & your description could be my car which I bought used in June 07.

    The first time the car blew the horn steadily, I was driving in a 4-lane, & I started swearing at the guy in the car next to me to knock it off. It took me a minute to realize it was MY car honking.

    Fortunately I had a few miles left on my warranty to get it fixed at the dealer.

    The car is still haunted a year later. When I turn on the right turn signal, it makes it all go dim. Works itself out after a minute or so.

    Looking at other posts, we could be in for some expensive problems down the road with the electric & heater/AC issues. Hope not. Lesson learned. Get rich so I can afford the repairs. I love this car otherwise!
  • JeremyH82JeremyH82 Member Posts: 5
    I still don't know what the problem is...

    Car's sitting in the garage, I am terribly depressed w/o it...

    I miss my car, someone tell me something.
  • wwestwwest Member Posts: 10,706
    Interesting....real time troubleshooting assistance.

    My neighbors 2001 Chrysler Sebring just did the same thing. After checking a few things I came in an searched "starting" on this thread. Replaced the blown 20 amp starter/fuel pump fuse in teh engine compartment and the car started right up.

    I assume the fuel pump was the cause and may be on its last legs.
  • JeremyH82JeremyH82 Member Posts: 5
    Mine is the 30 Amp Ignition Switch Fuse in the engine, I got a new electronic part of my ignition switch... I haven't gotten it installed yet, I just haven't had time to get it done, everyone else wants me to do stuff for them, Which I kind of have to do, b/c that's my part time job... I work on consumer's computers at their homes... part time of course, my main job i'm a CIT. Which doesn't provide me with a whole lot of spare time...
  • mnmountainmmanmnmountainmman Member Posts: 2
    Okay, My 01 Sebring Convertible runs like a dream most of the time. The isssue I am having intermittently is I will be driving and all the dummy lights start to illuminate, the radio skips on and off and the display flashes, gets dim. I turn the car of at my destination. The it is completely dead. No dome light, door lights,door chime, etc...I put the key in the ignition and there is nothing as well. As soon as I apply jumper cables to the jumping posts everythhing is back on and the car fires right up. ( The cars battery is brand new). Then it will run idle, run ok, then i will shut the car off and It will be completely dead again, unitl i touch the jumper cables to it. The strangest issue I have come across. Any Ideas. All fuses are good throughout. :sick:
  • mtr52mtr52 Member Posts: 4
    Dome lights flicker on occasion, but seems to run fine. Makes me a little nervous when I'm in traffic and it happens. Today the "battery" light came on. Shut the car off and about an hour later came back and it turned over with no problems and drove home(about 35 miles) with no light coming on or flicker of the dash lights. It ran fine. This has been an ongoing problem for about a year. Also, there is a "goldlike" stain under the car on the driveway. Looks like rust. Anyone have any ideas. I really don't want to get rid of the car, it's a great car to drive.
  • kcats1kcats1 Member Posts: 1
    Just replaced battery. Driving along and radio stops working. on x-way I tapped brake and carseemed to rev up and then 10 seconds later stalled. Would not restart. Any ideas ?
  • JeremyH82JeremyH82 Member Posts: 5
    are any fuses blown under the hood?? my ignition switch fuse keeps blowing, i'm breaking down and putting it in the garage, my bill is going to be at least $1,000; i'm praying not though... i've saved up for it so, I'm hoping i'm good... but check the fuses under the hood, maybe that will lead you to something, but good luck on your adventure...
  • npvescnpvesc Member Posts: 2
    I guess I will join the ranks ... I bought a beautiful 2000 JXi last year and drove it all summer with no problems. When I took it out in March, the battery was dead. Put in a new battery and got it running. After it sat for only two days, it's dead again. Looks like these cars are electrical nightmares!
  • JeremyH82JeremyH82 Member Posts: 5
    Well, I broke down, and took my car into the garage... well, after finding out my lower control arms were bad, and getting them replaced, found them on Ebay for around $80... Also, Got new tires on Ebay bought them for less than $300 including shipping...

    My Problem was a Melted Wire by the EGR Valve. Which caused all my headaches...

    My Total Bill: $252.20

    Thank you Heim's Garage in Halifax, PA!!!
  • bobnjennbobnjenn Member Posts: 1
    I have an 08 Chrysler Sebring soft top convertible 4cyl. it drives ok other then when i am stopped for a minute in traffic and the car completely stalls out on me... no lights come on and there is no indication of any problems... the car has been in a few times for this and they cant even tell me whats wrong! gotta love dealerships! :( :confuse:
  • emanofozemanofoz Member Posts: 2
    Had same problem with a 96 Sebring. Cold solder joints on the back side of the instrument cluster. You will need to remove the instrument cluster and heat up a soldering iron. Touch each solder joint just long enough to melt the solder then remove the iron, so as not to damage the electonics behind the joint. I found a Haynes Motor manual very helpful in explaning how to remove the dash and instrument cluster.
  • uccmemberuccmember Member Posts: 1
    Don't know for sure how to asolve your problem but my 96 Convertible interior lights stay on and will only go out when I turn the ignition key. Maybe itwill work for you. When I exit the car the lights go out, but if I open a door again all the lights go on, and will not go out until I insert the key in the ignition. Anyone know why?
  • jpiijpii Member Posts: 1
    My 2000 chrysler sebring JXI convertible horn won't sound when I depress the proper area in the center of the steering wheel. But it does sound when I lock-arm alarm with the remote key fob. Anybody know why this is?
  • ritzcrkerritzcrker Member Posts: 7
    I have a 2001 Sebring and I have the same thing happening, airbag light on, cruise control and horn not working. I heard a crack when this began. Did you find out what was wrong and what did it cost to fix it? :confuse:
  • ritzcrkerritzcrker Member Posts: 7
    Anyone who can answer #97, please do...any help would be appreciated. :confuse:
  • 06beetleowner06beetleowner Member Posts: 2
    I just had the exact thing happen to my 2006 Chrysler Sebring Convertible! What ended up being wrong with yours?
  • ritzcrkerritzcrker Member Posts: 7
    I actually haven't had it checked out yet and am driving it as is. Did you get yours fixed? If so, what did they say it was and what did it cost you?
  • ddtd1992ddtd1992 Member Posts: 1
    The problem is the pollution control computer, I have a 2001 sebring and would just die no codes nothing. Dealer insisted nothing was wrong and acted like I was nuts. They did work with me had to leave it there for 2 Weeks , They would start it every day and finally repeated the problem, They never catch because it clears the code immediatly when it starts, only way to catch it is to have it under a monitor when it happens, Good news was that it has a special warrenty because it was a pollution controll comp. I had 65000 on it
  • hummingbirdzhummingbirdz Member Posts: 1
    I have a 1999 Chyrsler Sebring Convertible. I resolved the flooding problems by reading other posts. My car randomly stalls out while driving 60mph or while idling in traffic. I will take up to one hour or that day to restart. It has been on every diagnostic machine and nothing shows up. It will cut off in the morning, the evening or not at all for a day or so. My mechanic tells me that they can't fix what they can't find. I have a new distributor, harmonic balance, fuel pump, My car in now just sitting in my driveway because I'm afraid to drive it. You just don't know when it will cut off. Has this happened to anyone else? How did you fix the problem?
  • ritzcrkerritzcrker Member Posts: 7
    Sounds like a nightmare...I would look for another mechanic. I can't believe they cannot find out what the problem is. That makes no sense to me.
  • 2001_sebring2001_sebring Member Posts: 1
    Check out this website http://autorepair.about.com/library/faqs/bl086i.htm I had this happen to mine a few years back and this was the problem. You have to remove the steering wheel and airbag to replace it. Not too difficult if you have worked on cars before. I think the part was about $150.00 from the dealer.
  • ritzcrkerritzcrker Member Posts: 7
    Thank you 2001_sebring, I printed out that information from the website and will bring it to my friend who works on my car. I hope this will do it. Thank again! :)
  • deebo214deebo214 Member Posts: 1
    I have a 08 and today I experienced the same thing no wipers or turn signal and the radio kept scanning on it's own. Kinda freaked me out. Jumped out of the car and stared at it for like 20 mins. Came here looking for answers.
  • confused06confused06 Member Posts: 3
    Did you ever find out what was wrong with your car? My 2001 Sebring convertible is now doing the same thing. I just replaced the battery and if it sits more than 1 day the battery is dead. I had a local garage keep it for a week trying to find something but no luck.
  • npvescnpvesc Member Posts: 2
    Yes - it turned out to be one of those "parasitic drains" you might have read about. In my case it was the fuse that controls the radio and interior lights. I'm sure there is a better way to fix it, but I just installed a switch that controls that fuse. I only turn it on when I'm using the car. Otherwise, the fuse is cut off from the battery. My friend had to go through the fuse box one by one and pull them while measuring the battery charge to figure out where the problem was coming from. Hope this helps. :)
  • ritzcrkerritzcrker Member Posts: 7
    If you read my problem it is that the airbag light is constantly on, the cruise control does not work and I have no horn. This all began with a crack noise that I heard which seemed to come from the steering column which it did. My mechanic said that it is some kind of coil that went within the steering column and he has the part on order for me but said it may take six months to get it. I am still driving the car okay without it, It just means if I get into an accident the airbag won't go off. It has nothing to do with the battery. I have not had any problems with my battery at all. I recently had my timing chain tensioner go and had to replace it, which cost me $500. I don't know yet what the replacement of this coil will cost. My Sebring is a 2001.
Sign In or Register to comment.