- #11 of 154
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Re: Spark Knock [nicewheels1]
by micweb
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May 18, 2006 (4:04 pm)
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Replying to: nicewheels1 (May 18, 2006 7:26 am)
Have you tried running mid-grade or premium through it? Have you asked the dealer to check for a defective "knock sensor"? Most modern cars have adaptive ECM's (engine control modules) and aggressively advance the spark for more power and fuel economy, only backing off when the knock sensor detects pinging. Since the knock sensor is a piezo electric crystal on the engine block, it is so sensitive that usually the driver NEVER hears what is going on.
(I usually run mid-grade to pick up a little horsepower based on the adaptice ECM's.)
IF midgrade or premium makes the knock go away, congratulations, you don't have a defect, you have a feature (I say this a bit tongue in cheek) because you will be picking up horsepower. If the knock DOESN'T go away with premium gas, you need to be more aggressive with the dealer since serious knocking, as opposed to a very, very light pinging, is really, really hard on an engine.
In the long run, of course, you really need to get a flash upgrade.
BTW, are you running a national brand of gas? The owners manual for our Chrysler/Dodge (not a Caliber) emphasized using a good brand of gas, and switching brands before upping octane. I find Shell, 76 (Conoco maybe where you live), Chevron to be best (see www.toptiergas.com ).
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- #12 of 154
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Re: Spark Knock [nicewheels1]
by cat9374
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Jun 08, 2006 (7:34 pm)
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Replying to: nicewheels1 (May 18, 2006 7:26 am)
My Caliber is knocking all the time now. The Dealer said it is going to be a software problem and it will take some time before Chrysler gets a software update in place. I really hate driving my car with that noise, but they said as long as the check engine light does not come on then were ok.
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- #13 of 154
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Caliber problems - red flag for new buyers
by vrm
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Jun 08, 2006 (8:15 pm)
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Replying to: cat9374 (Jun 08, 2006 7:34 pm)
My Caliber is knocking all the time now. The Dealer said it is going to be a software problem and it will take some time before Chrysler gets a software update in place. I really hate driving my car with that noise, but they said as long as the check engine light does not come on then were ok.
The problems listed in the last few postings are a red flag for new buyers.
I will not bother to test drive the Caliber.
Chrysler seems to be no different than GM or Ford: rush the new car into production. Worry about the fit, finish and quality details later.
Buyer beware!
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- #14 of 154
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Re: Spark Knock [cat9374]
by nicewheels1
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Jun 09, 2006 (5:33 am)
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Replying to: cat9374 (Jun 08, 2006 7:34 pm)
After speaking with the dealer service techs about the same problem in my Caliber it appears that Chrysler may have pushed the limit in tuning the timing on the Caliber to get the best MPG rating. To fix the spark knock they may have to change the software to retard the timing but this will probablylower the average MPG of the car. If high gas mileage is not a primary concern for you then they may have a fix to solve your problem. It sounds to me like they need to go back to the drawing board on the engine and drive train setup for future production.
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- #15 of 154
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Re: Spark Knock [cat9374]
by micweb
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Jun 09, 2006 (12:32 pm)
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Replying to: cat9374 (Jun 08, 2006 7:34 pm)
Have you tried running it on premium gas until they can re-flash the engine control module? You should try to bring the knocking under as much control as possible, it is harmful to the engine. The fact that the check engine light isn't on, only means it isn't "violating" emissions requirements.
ALSO have you asked the dealer to reflash your engine control module with the existing software? Since most owners are not reporting this problem, it could be that the program in your car is "corrupted" somehow (after all it IS a computer program, albeit written to flash memory and not a harddrive).
I'd put in premium gas for now, and push the dealer harder.
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- #16 of 154
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Re: Stalling out [blkhawk60]
by jessiec
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Oct 26, 2006 (5:08 pm)
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Replying to: blkhawk60 (Aug 02, 2006 1:53 am)
I am so glad I found this! What you've described is EXACTLY what's been happening to me. It's a bit of a relief to hear it from someone else as I've told my story to anyone who will listen and I think they think I'm crazy. My car stalls in neutral every so often. What it does more often than stalls is go down to 400 rpms quickly and pops back up to normal (700). I've been stopped at lights and it shudders like it's going to stall and then the rpms pop back up. I've even been parked, in neutral with the e-brake on and the the oil light went on and it the bells went off like it was going to stall and then the rpms went up over 1,000 and leveled off at 700. It's been so weird. Stalling in neutral is just strange and shouldn't be. I've stalled pulling in to parking spots...typically happens at low speeds/rpms. I've read on another forum that it could be the computer needs to be updated as my car was built before July 06...not sure if this problem is happening with cars built after that date (something about reflashing). I'm waiting to talk to my dealer to see if they think they can fix it.
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- #17 of 154
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Re: Spark Knock [micweb]
by moparfamily
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Nov 11, 2006 (6:33 am)
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Replying to: micweb (Jun 09, 2006 12:32 pm)
Our Caliber was doing the same thing. Massive spark knock. We took it to the dealer and they added new software to our computer which took care of the spark knock. But did lower our gas mileage to 19 to 22 mpg. We have since started using synthetic oil and regular gas 87 octane and we are now getting 25 mpg consistently. We drive this car for a living (average of 200 to 250 miles/day). Our car now has 22,000+ on it.
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- #18 of 154
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Re: Spark Knock & Stalling
by macmonkey
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Nov 29, 2006 (6:13 pm)
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Replying to: moparfamily (Nov 11, 2006 6:33 am)
I am about to take delivery of a new SXT with 5 speed and I wonder if it can be presumed that a car produced later in the year would ship with the updated software? Also has anyone found a fix for the stalling?
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- #19 of 154
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Re: Spark Knock & Stalling [macmonkey]
by jessiec
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Dec 01, 2006 (2:59 pm)
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Replying to: macmonkey (Nov 29, 2006 6:13 pm)
I brought the car in 3 weeks ago for the stalling. The dealer contacted Chrysler and they said there wasn't an 'exact' fix for it yet but suggested the dealer reflash the computer and do a 'few other things'. The dealer told me Chyrsler said they should have more info by the end of the year. The rpm's still drop down and pop back up, but the car has only stalled once in the past 3 weeks. So maybe it is almost fixed??? I read somewhere that the problem was with cars that were built before July '06. My suggestion would be that if you find the car stalling in neutral, tell your dealer to contact Chrysler because they are aware of the problem. Good Luck!
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- #20 of 154
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Re: Spark Knock & Stalling [jessiec]
by macmonkey
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Dec 04, 2006 (5:38 am)
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Replying to: jessiec (Dec 01, 2006 2:59 pm)
So far no sign of either the knocking or the stalling. My Marine Blue SXT was newly manufactured in October; so perhaps they are getting re-flashed and updated before they leave the factory. I'll keep the board posted if anything develops!
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