Dodge Sprinter

I am so frustrated. We bought a new Sprinter. We were assured by the salesman that they tend to last better than other cars with less frequent repairs. We have taken it in for warranty work way too many times. We have had to have a new battery and alternator. We had to have the passenger lock fixed. We had to have a new gear shift put in ( it would get stuck and not go above neutral -- stuck in drive or neutral). Also, this seems to be starting to almost get stuck again. When they replaced the battery they somehow messed up the radio/speaker connection so it randomly does not send sound to one of my speakers (which they claim they could not have done, but it started right after their repairs). Also, the heat does not have any varyiable temperatures. I can turn it all the way to cold for vented air and anything else is hot. It is very frustrating that we have so many repairs and I am very concerned that when the warranty runs out we will not be able to afford the car because of these major repairs. Has anyone else had so many problems? I would hope that our car is the exception.
 

Replies to this message:
• kurt6 (Dec 19, 2007 3:47 pm)
• surlyoldbill (Dec 19, 2007 4:32 pm)
  • kenbaker (Dec 20, 2007 1:52 pm)
• kenbaker (Dec 20, 2007 1:25 pm)
  • 2000_valk (Dec 20, 2007 6:38 pm)
    • kenbaker (Dec 21, 2007 11:32 am)

Replying to: mitzid (Dec 19, 2007 2:40 pm)

Replies to this message:
• kenbaker (Dec 20, 2007 1:50 pm)
  • punter1 (Dec 23, 2007 10:28 am)

Replying to: mitzid (Dec 19, 2007 2:40 pm)

Replies to this message:
• kenbaker (Dec 20, 2007 1:52 pm)

Replying to: mitzid (Dec 19, 2007 2:40 pm)

Though not an exception, per se, you have had more than your share of the problems we hear about on the nit-pickingly frustrating side... they shouldn't happen, but most are not deal killer problems... the shifter problem sounds remarkably like a frayed wire somewhere. They need to trace the real problem down. Two shifters should not go out in the life of the vehicle (500K miles or more).
Also, remember that the shifter and the accelerator are not attached to the thing they shift... they are electronic items that send signals. This is also not unique to MB, most car companies are going to fly-by-wire for most car functions.
 
I am NOT as happy with the new battery (MOPAR) as I was with the original (VARTA) battery... starting on COLD days not as good now.
 
The HEAT knob is a famous problem that is not a problem (it is by design, not sure if that is not worse)... Somewhere hidden in your van is a sensor, but I have not yet found it, nor have I got an answer in the posts I've made as to where it is either... Until that sensor is up to the temp the knob indiciates (cryptically of course as there are no markings), it will try to put out heat to get the sensor to reach that temp... Since the sensor is NOT in the air flow path (might be on the return side, but I doubt that also), the heater will work until the sensor heats up (unless you have the knob set to COLD, or very nearly so).
 
Knob temps range on the cold side from below 62F to much warmer than that (maybe 80 or 88F)... Not my choice of range as I prefer a cooler cabin, even in the winter (especially as I must wear clothing appropriate for working outside at least parttime). Mustn't get hot/cold/hot/cold/hot/cold as this is the best way to suffer bad effects of temps.
 
Once the van cabin is generally heated up, then the knob becomes useful for adjusting the airflow side of heat/cool on demand. My friend's fancy Corvette works exactly the same, and he doesn't like it either (his car cost twice what my Sprinter did as well).
 
My wife has Asthma, so we like the cabin air filter and the recirculate button... until the recirculate function just cuts off after about 15 minutes (how lovely when you are following a junker with and oil/fuel burning habit!!!
 
In case you hadn't noticed, the dash-top vents do NOT heat at all, they are after the A/C, but before the heater core... When I need air flow and window clearing, but not much heat, I send the heat to the windshield by the knob control and only open the dashtop vents to balance the temp.
 
European cars apparently earn their stripes for something OTHER than environmentals/airflow.
 
KenB

Replies to this message:
• 2000_valk (Dec 20, 2007 6:38 pm)
  • kenbaker (Dec 21, 2007 11:32 am)

Replying to: mike_mcginn (Dec 19, 2007 4:02 pm)

2006 is end of cycle or the T1N Sprinter (actually a holdover, as Europe went to the newer NC3V already).
 
KenB

Replies to this message:
• punter1 (Dec 23, 2007 10:28 am)

Replying to: surlyoldbill (Dec 19, 2007 4:32 pm)

What do they call that Toyota van? I wnat to look them up.
 
Thanks,
KenB

Replying to: kenbaker (Dec 20, 2007 1:25 pm)

Replies to this message:
• kenbaker (Dec 21, 2007 11:32 am)

Replying to: 2000_valk (Dec 20, 2007 6:38 pm)

Yes, have heard of the problem with the re-circ door, but have not got any better fix than a screw (or pin/cotter key). Have also heard of the eventual death of the actuator.
 
KenB