OT: Chrysler Sebring convertible hardtop Limited 3.5 L, 2008, Looking to find And fix a electrical issue Options

[Garland]

This is my sons car, and here’s the description of the concerns. This is an intermittent concern, and unable to duplicate in a shop environment so far.

Sebring issues

Radio restarts - sometimes when restarting the car, the head unit forgets where it’s place was on the CD and restarts from track 1. Very rarely, the radio controls on the steering wheel will go inoperable and after a few minutes the head unit will reboot.

Fuel pump dies - occasionally when trying to start the vehicle, the fuel pump does not prime, as if it is not getting power. This is almost always resolved by hooking up a jump box to the jump points under the hood. Because of the intermittent fuel pump issues, the back seat is not latched down and can be easily removed.

Vehicle dies - occasionally when driving at various speeds, when stopped, or when putting the vehicle into reverse, the vehicle will bog down and die as if the vehicle is out of fuel. Usually this is followed by the fuel pump not priming and needing to either jump the vehicle or let it rest for several minutes before restarting.

Security light comes on - sometimes while driving or stopped, and rarely while parked, the security light on the speedometer will illuminate. About a second later, the low tire pressure light will also illuminate. After a few moments, the tire light will turn off and then the security light will turn off.

Once the alarm went off as I was turning off/exiting the vehicle. I was unable to turn the alarm off except by re-starting the vehicle and pushing the PANIC button on the key while the vehicle was running.

Once when I took the key out of the ignition, the vehicle thought the key was still in the ignition. The ignition switch is original to the vehicle.

We replaced the fuel pump, spark plugs, battery, and cleaned all battery terminals.

Horn gets stuck - believe to be a stuck horn pad, which I have a replacement.

Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.

[73-914]

I would check the connections to the ECU

[Superhawk996]

Based on symptoms which aren't all related I'd suggest:

1) Get a service manual that has the wiring diagram and the electrical section. Available on line various ways (one time access, month accesss, yearly subscripation)

2) All the engine dying conditions could all be related by the ASD (Auto Shut Down) relay. All relays are electro-mechanical and subject to wear over time. Burned contacts can cause issues.

https://fuse-box.info/chrysler/chrysler-seb...2007-2010-fuses

3) Like any other electrical issue, you have to be methodical and logical in checking power connections and for potential intermittent shorts. Use 1/2 split method of trouble shooting.

Also based on descripiton that jump starting sometimes helps -- are you sure the battery is good? Almost sounds like battery can't support load while cranking. Battery can have cell/plate connection that is intermittent and sensitive to heat and/or vibration. When you lose ability to support electrical load, you'll get all sorts of craziness at ECU's that may be hovering right at their operational thresholds. Bad plate connection is pretty rare but I've had it happen to wife's PT Cruiser way back . . . led to all sorts of intermittent conditions. Been there done that.

@Garland

I'll also share one other link that I think may apply but also may not. I have a 2008 Jeep Wranger that intermittently suffered from a no start condition in which the fuel pump relay that is embedded within the Total Integrated Power Module (TIPM) went intermittent for a while if I let the vehicle sit unused for a long time (months). There is a work around solution which I now always carry in my glovebox. I'm not sure it applies to a Sebring but might be worth investigatng if you can't find results elsewhere via methodical troubleshooting.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcV5oAF1hM0