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Chrysler 300M Care and Maintenance

100 messages,  Last post on Feb 14, 2010 at 3:57 PM

You are in the Chrysler 300M Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chrysler 300M, Interior, Oil, Paint, Sedan

Messages Page 9 of 11

#77 of 100 should we buy a 2001 300M? by whitall

Mar 05, 2008 (9:28 pm)

My son, soon to be 18, is driving a 2001 Taurus-loaded- which had its share of problems when we first got it (very used) but they seem to be ironed out. He could get maybe $4000 if he sells it.
 
The girlfriend's parents have a 2001 300M w/ 45000 miles, and thats all I know about it. They will sell it to him for $10000. Don't know where he thinks he's getting the cash (he has a few thou put away)... but wondering if it's a good buy at any price. We wanted to wait until his first semester of college was done, about a year, and then if he did well, we'd help him to upgrade to a better car.
 
I had a concorde in the 90's w/ a/c problems and I think a leaky head gasket or something that leaked oil on the top (not a lot). Had a Caravan after that for about 6 years, under 50k that also seemed to be losing it's a/c. I got rid of it when the extended warranty was running out.
 
Chrysler had been notorious for a/c and trans problems (with the cars I had). How does the 300M stack up? Will it need new a/c soon (it is 7 years old-low miles or not)??
 
Son looks for the "cool" factor, so something about this car must be hot....
 
Thanks

#78 of 100 Re: should we buy a 2001 300M? [whitall] by naatz1

Mar 07, 2008 (6:01 am)

Replying to: whitall (Mar 05, 2008 9:28 pm)
I have a 04 with 45000 miles on it and have been very happy so far. Only one real warranty problem in the dash instruments that occured last summer just into the maxcare extended warranty we bought. I have heard of tranny problems however it seems to be more a Chrysler reputation from the 90s than anything recent. It's a gorgeous car my wife usually drives, but we still like the looks better than the boxy gangsta new models.
As for price, I looked at our bank black book pricing and retail clean is $10300 and average 8200. That is the price off a dealer lot so personally 10K seems pretty high to me for that old of a vehicle from a private party which normally they could get in the 7-8k range. The good news is he should be able to trust them but bad news is how does he "deal" a lower price with them like you would a guy off the street. And of course you have the "what happens if something goes wrong a month later" factor....I sold my used chevy years ago to my brother and a month later the clutch went out. Luckily my brother knows stuff well enough to fix it himself but I still feel bad about it 20 years later, I had no clue there was anything wrong. For sure despite the trust I'd still have a mechanic check it out and try to feel out negotiating it for less.

#79 of 100 Re: should we buy a 2001 300M? [naatz1] by whitall

Mar 07, 2008 (7:26 am)

Replying to: naatz1 (Mar 07, 2008 6:01 am)
You hit my thoughts on the head regarding price and "what if". If he got 4000 for his car, he could buy it and leave me out of it (for 7-8000). I'm not ready to put more money out for him until he "proves" he will work hard in school next year.
 
Your car is an '04 which makes it a bit newer to compare for problems.
 
Thanks for the input!

#80 of 100 ATC Fan Stuck on High by shilkom

Apr 09, 2008 (11:20 am)

I have a 1999 Chrysler 300M that has the Automatic Temperature Control (ATC) Unit fan stuck on high no matter what is selected (Auto, Manual or OFF). It comes on high when I start the car and cannot be turned off. I check the associated fuses (OK) and looked for stuck relays, but there are none associated with the ATC. Any ideas? That seems to leave the two ATC sensors or the fan switch itself?

#81 of 100 Re: ATC Fan Stuck on High [shilkom] by quietflyer

Apr 11, 2008 (6:56 pm)

Replying to: shilkom (Apr 09, 2008 11:20 am)
There is a blower motor power module located on the lower right side of the HVAC unit housing and is controlled by the Body Control Module (BCM). It could have failed on so the fan runs full speed whenever power is on. There is no relay on ATC equipped cars. (This is from the factory service manual) It sound like the power module may have to be replaced.

#82 of 100 Re: ATC Fan Stuck on High [quietflyer] by shilkom

Apr 11, 2008 (8:27 pm)

Replying to: quietflyer (Apr 11, 2008 6:56 pm)
Thanks for the feedback.
 
Mike Shilko

#83 of 100 Re: ATC Fan Stuck on High [shilkom] by shilkom

Apr 11, 2008 (8:36 pm)

Replying to: shilkom (Apr 11, 2008 8:27 pm)
Can you be a little more specific on the location and how I might actually find the blower moter power module, size and what it looks like? Could I order and easily replace it myself?
 
Thx,
Mike Shilko

#84 of 100 300M Dead Battery by phaex11

Apr 18, 2008 (8:53 pm)

Bought my 99 300M about a month ago. After I purchased it, I took it to the car wash and when they were done with it, the car wouldnt start. I took it back to the dealer who said it was a bad battery. They supposedly replaced the battery and it started up fine for the first month. I then took it back to the same car wash and got it washed again. After that, I took it on a 200 mile road trip. It ran fine. When I went to start it the next morning, the battery was dead again. I got it jumped and it ran fine. I drove about 75 miles to a Wal Mart to get the battery checked out. when I got there, I turned the car off and then tried to start it again. It started right up. I then tried it again and it started right up. I decided to forgo Wal Mart and continue my trip. I drove an additional 80 miles and parked at a hotel. When I returned to the car about an hour later, it wouldnt start. I then got a jump and drove it home. I parked it and will leave it parked until I figure out why the battery dies. I believe its either something getting wet when I take it to the car wash or something shorting when the car is driven on long trips. I really have no other idea at this point. I did notice that close to the end of the 200 mile trip that the engine didnt seem as strong as it did at the start of the trip. The car has 99,000 miles on it and the tranny seems fine. The only other issue with the car is that the midrange speakers need the cones reglued. Other than that, I believe the shocks on the trunk lid could be replaced. The car is in excellent shape and I really enjoy driving it. I hope the electrical issue is something simple to fix like just replacing the battery with a good new one and witnessing the store install it. Anyone else have this kind of issue?

#85 of 100 Re: 300M Dead Battery [phaex11] by crdivoff

Apr 20, 2008 (4:02 pm)

Replying to: phaex11 (Apr 18, 2008 8:53 pm)
You need to check the generator (although it has a different name). Your new battery is probably not being recharged while you drive. Anyway, take it to a good repair shop. I have a 1999 300M with 219,000 miles on it and I love it. I replace shocks, struts, tires, timing belt, etc. to keep it in A-1 mechanical shape. Last week I replaced struts and shocks with the the "sport" or "special" structs and put new ball joints on it and it drives like it did when I bought it in 1999. With 99,000 miles on your car you should replace the shocks/struts and timing belt and probably the water pump. don't forget to change the transmission fluid and the transaxle grease.

#86 of 100 Re: 300M Dead Battery [crdivoff] by nastysinister

Apr 28, 2008 (12:59 pm)

Replying to: crdivoff (Apr 20, 2008 4:02 pm)
hi guys, i have a similar electrical problem lie phaex
i also have a 99 300M,
mby battery just died out on me this eve, i couldnt figure out why, i jumped it and it ran for like 2 mins and the engine dies out while i'm moving, i was just happy I hadn't hit the high way.
a friend who helped me jump start suggested i'm having a problem with the dynamo, i guess like crdivoff mentioned it may be called other wise.
from what i've heard from others, a dynamo replacemet makes a huge hole in the pocket.
i'm gonna be taking it to the garage cause the company is a rip off..! nothin new..
well a reason for the battery to die out is because my tail lights dont go out sometimes and if i dont check it, it takes a toll on the battery.
however, 2 things that i need to know, is a dynamo / generator a possible problem? or is it the battery?
and should i get the wiriing checked?

Messages Page 9 of 11

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