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I have a 2005 Chrysler 300C that will no longer crank over. Here is what I have, -The front end was damaged (all cosmetic), so I removed the front bumper cover and headlights. -I've been waiting on parts, so I tried to start it up today to move it out of the garage. When I put the key to ACC, the instrument cluster digital display blanks out and comes back on, and the fuel pump relay just chatters. Intermittenly, it will say 0mi at the bottome of the screen. The check engine light, ESP, BAS, and ETS lights stay on. When I try to start it, the instrument cluster digital display blanks out, there is a click under the hood and nothing. The stereo, windows, door locks, interior lights, brake lights, power seats, and parking lights still work, but the headlights do not. -Here is what I have done so far: Checked/charged the battery. Tried a diagnostic test and came back with 0 faults a couple times and no communication a couple other times. Visually pulled and inspected all fuses under hood and in the trunk. Read out diodes and circuit breakers in the trunk. Swapped one by one all of the relays. Reinstalled the headlights (thinking the HIDs) may have caused a problem and still nothing. -I am pretty much lost at this point. I was initially thinking that maybe the PCM got damaged due to the vibration of the impact, but I drove it into the garage afterwards. I then thought that maybe the HID headlight plug arc'd (since it was not connected and very high voltage) and damaged the FCM/IPM. When the headlights are turned on, the instrument cluster digital display blanks out as well. I am lost at this point... please help.
Country: United StatesMake: ChryslerModel: 300CYear: 2005Engine: 5.7L
Honestly, what you're describing sounds like a low or bad battery STILL. Hi, my name is XXXXX XXXXX welcome to JustAnswer!.Let's put your voltmeter on the jump start connections at the underhood fuse block and see what happens to your system voltage when you attempt to start the engine or apply electrical load through accessories. If it drops below 10v, take the meter to the battery and test it directly at the centers of the posts. Your description of rattling relays and a single >click< under the hood when attempting engine start are consistent with this sort of low voltage situation. The Hemi is a pretty finicky engine, absolutely rejecting any attempt at engine start if voltage is below what it likes. The momentary engage-disengagement of the starter is its way of electrically sticking a toe in the water and recoiling in horror.If at all possible, try a different battery or get a jump start from another vehicle. The 300C rather dislikes being jump started under the hood by the way... you may have to go directly to the battery for this in order to avoid false results if the jump didn't work.With parts removed from the front end of the car, there MIGHT be a loose or detached ground involved, but it doesn't seem likely with all the checks and rechecks you've performed. Still, I'm confident that you'll find that a substantial voltage drop is happening for some reason... be it a broken cell connector in the battery or a loose/ corroded connection somewhere in the main cabling.Try these few things and let me know if you have any questions or problems. I'll be glad to help.Good luck!Ed
Experience: 30-year Dodge/ Chrysler exp., ASE Master with L1 certification. Driveability/ combustion specialist
Ed,
You were absolutely correct. I didn't think low voltage was the source, since I tried to jump it with no joy. I replaced the battery and it cranked right up. I do still have a solid ESP/BAS light on though. Could you please point me in the right direction? I never had this light before and was wondering what I could do to troubleshoot. Thanks
****ALL FIXED**** I pulled the Autoshutoff/PCM fuse for a few minutes, put back in and still had the light. However, I pulled it out of the garage, drove down the street and it went out.
Thank you very much Ed. You were on the money and I really appreciate your help.
Sincerely,
Donald
Very good. The ESP/BAS lamp illumination was probably there because the steering angle sensor had lost its calibration and needed to see a few turns happen to get it initialized again.
Many thanks, Donald! Be sure to write if there's anything I can help with.
Happy trails,
Ed