STAR Center News
Jan/Feb 2013

No. 78

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR TOP TECHS!!!
From the Editor
Dan Morin

R-E-S-P-E-C-T.
It was the subject of a great Motown song years ago and it is something that can be elusive in our
profession that is oftentimes viewed by others as mundanely “blue-collar”. You know, it’s dirty,
greasy, uneducated knuckle-dragger’s work.
Decades ago, that description may have had some truth in it (my arms are too short to drag my
knuckles, though you probably wouldn’t believe it by looking at my hands) and sometimes,
stereotypes die hard.
However, in today’s world of ultra-high-tech vehicles, nothing could be further from the truth. Gone
are the “mechanics” of years ago and taking their place are the technicians of today. It takes a sharp,
insightful problem solver to be a successful automotive technician these days, not to mention the
desire to endure the on-going education that is a hallmark of the profession today. Continuous
training that rivals ANY of today’s professions. I have had the privilege of talking to and working with
some of the best automotive technicians in the world and I believe some of NASA’s folks wouldn’t
have a chance trying to keep up with them. To be the Best-of the-Best, you have to have a high level
of commitment and dedication to your craft. To be recognized as a top tech, to receive that respect
that you deserve, fuels that desire to be the best. It also helps to push everyone else to raise that bar
and improve themselves.
In this issue, we recognize some of the best Chrysler technicians in the field. This group was brought
to Auburn Hills, Michigan as a reward for their hard work and dedication to their profession. It was
also a reflection of Chrysler’s desire to work closely with our top technicians to improve the level of
support we can provide to the entire field force to keep our customers happy and satisfied.
The event was so successful, management is planning more events for 2013.
So, if you weren’t one of the fortunate ones to participate this time around, keep working hard and
maybe you’ll get the call next time.

Something to say?

Send up your questions, comments, suggestions,
etc…

STAR Center Manager
starmgmt@chrysler.com
STAR News Feedback
starnews@chrysler.com

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Technician Recognition – Alive and Well!
Chrysler Group LLC

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STAR Center News
Jan/Feb 2013

No. 78

In September of 2012, Chrysler hosted a Technician Recognition event for 17 “TOP” Technicians from
across the country. The selection criteria started with each Dealers Customer Promoter Score and
Fixed First Visit Score. For the dealers that made the initial cut, each of their Technicians were
evaluated based on Master Training Levels in Powertrain, Electrical & Chassis; Quantity & Quality of
Technician “Confirmed” Repairs Documented within the Technical Assistance Process and Regular
participation in the Quarterly Technician Survey.
This provided 167 Technicians for further evaluation. The top 5 were picked for each Business
Center and they made the final selections with the help of their Technical Advisors and Training
Instructors. Two Technicians from each Business Center were chosen for the Recognition Event.
Unfortunately we had one Technician drop at the last minute due to personal reasons but we ended
up hosting 17 of the Countries best Technicians at Chrysler’s Headquarters in Auburn Hills, Michigan.
During the 2 ½ day Recognition Event, our goal was to provide insight into the operation of a large
auto company, share best practices between the Technicians, provide a glimpse of future Service
information enhancements and gather criticism (good and bad) on the Service products that we
provide to help you do the best job you can.
Tours of Headquarters 15th floor (Board Room), Design Dome, Scientific Lab’s, STAR Center, Parts
Return Center, Pilot Plant, Scan Tool Development and the World Class Manufacturing Training
Center were scheduled along with a closed track “Ride & Drive” of Chrysler’s 2013 product line.
The most exciting event for the Technicians was a formal Dinner with our President and CEO of
MOPAR – Pietro Gorlier and Vice President of Technical Service Operations – Tony Brenders. The
Dinner was held at the Chrysler Museum. Mr. Gorlier and Mr. Brenders honored each Technician
with Special Awards and of course there were many picture opportunities. Mr. Gorlier was impressed
with each of the Technicians and believes events like these are an important part of making the
Chrysler Family successful. Plans are in process for more events in 2013.
Chrysler’s Technical Assistance & Product Support Department will continue to keep these
technicians involved with regularly scheduled meetings, forums and special opportunities to test
service enhancements. Their involvement and views associated with change are important to keep
the Chrysler Family on track to meet the future needs of Service Repair.

Congratulations guys for a job well done!
Chrysler TOP Techs
Business
Center

Chrysler Group LLC

Dealer
Name

STAR Center
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Name

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STAR Center News
Jan/Feb 2013

No. 78

California

Stockton Dodge
Incorporation

Jose Olivarria

California

Lampe Chrysler
Dodge Jeep Ram

Jeremy Hughes

Denver

Gladstone Dodge
Chrysler Jeep Ram

Chris Gray

Denver

Dave Syverson
Chrysler Dodge Jeep

Jared Dolton

Great Lakes

Brunswick Auto Mart
Inc.

Donald Martinez

Great Lakes

Progressive Chrysler
Jeep Dodge

Gerald Palmer

Mid Atlantic

Jeff D'ambrosio
Chrysler Jeep

Michael Conlan

Chrysler Group LLC

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STAR Center News
Jan/Feb 2013

No. 78

Midwest

Bettenhausen Motor
Sales Inc.

Kurt Benda

Midwest

Shelby Motors Inc.

Curt Carter

Northeast

Herb Chambers
Chrysler Jeep Dodge

Kenneth Brackley

Northeast

Meadowland Of
Carmel

Patrick Casale

Southeast

Bill Bryan Chrysler
Dodge Jeep Inc.

Jason Tasker

Southeast

Royston Chrysler –
Dodge - Jeep Inc.

Gary Colvett

Southwest

Bruner Motors Inc

Ronnie Necessary

Southwest

Helfman Dodge
Chrysler Jeep

Randy Deckard

Chrysler Group LLC

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Jan/Feb 2013

No. 78

West

Larry H Miller Dodge
Peoria

Dave Knierim

West

Rainier Dodge Inc.

Gary Montoya

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chrysler Group Announces Additional
Vehicles with Higher Tether Weight Limits

this change does not apply to the Chrysler 200
Convertible.

In June 2012, Chrysler Group announced that tether
weight limits had increased for most of its 2013
model year vehicles. Instead of limiting the use of
the tether anchor to 48 pounds (child weight) the
new guideline states that the tether anchor can be
used with a seatbelt to install a child restraint up to
the recommended weight limit of the child restraint.

Chrysler Group – LATCH Anchorage
Weight Limits

Chrysler Group is pleased to announce that an
assessment of the tether anchors in their mid-sized
sedans has shown that these vehicles can be added
to the list. Like other vehicle families, this change is
being made retroactively to the start of production of
the current tether design. Specifically, the following
model year vehicles have been added to the updated
list of affected vehicles, shown in the table below:




Please note that the increased tether weight limit
supersedes the information printed in the 2013
model year owner’s manual for the
Chrysler 200 Sedan and Dodge Avenger. The
owner’s manuals for these vehicles were printed
before this announcement. Please also note that
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For all Chrysler Group vehicles, the LATCH system
(lower anchors and top tether) can be used to secure
a child restraint until the combined weight of the child
and the child restraint is 65 lbs. (29.5 kg).
Except for the vehicles listed below, the seat belt
and tether anchor can be used together to secure a
child restraint until the combined weight of the child
and the child restraint is 65 lbs. (29.5 kg). Use the
seat belt without the tether once the combined
weight is more than 65 lbs. (29.5 kg).
For the following vehicles, the seat belt and tether
anchor can be used together to secure a child
restraint up to the maximum child weight allowed by
the child restraint manufacturer:

2007-10 Chrysler Sebring Sedan
2011+ Chrysler 200 Sedan
2008+ Dodge Avenger

Chrysler Group LLC

Updated: October 3, 2012

Continued on Next Page
Continued from Previous Page

Chrysler Group – LATCH Anchorage Weight Limits

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STAR Center News
Jan/Feb 2013
Make

Chrysler

Dodge

Fiat

Jeep

Dodge/
Ram

Model
200 Sedan (not Convertible)
300 / 300C
Sebring Sedan (not
Convertible)
Town & Country
Voyager / Grand Voyager
(including Cargo Van)
Avenger
Caliber
Caravan / Grand Caravan
(including Cargo Van)
Challenger
Charger
Dakota Pickup Trucks

Model
Years
2011+
2006+
2007 –
2010
2001+
2001 –
2008
2008+
2007 –
2012
2001+

2008+
2006+
2005 –
2011
Dart
2013+
Durango
2011+
Journey
2009+
Viper
2013+
500
2012+
Commander
2006 –
2010
Compass
2007+
Grand Cherokee
2005+
Patriot
2007+
Wrangler / Wrangler Unlimited 2007+
1500 Pickup Trucks –
2009+
Quad or Crew Cab only
2500/3500 Pickup Trucks –
2010+
Crew Cab Only
3500/4500/5500 Chassis Cab 2010+
Trucks- Quad or Crew Cab
Only

Increased Tire Pressures to Prevent
Flat Spots
Corporate Quality is making process changes to
address customer complaints of vibration at highway
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speeds due to tire flat-spotting. Tire flat-spotting is
the temporary flattening of a section of the tire
overlay construction that can be “driven out” in 20
miles of highway driving. Flat-spotting can occur
during vehicle transportation and vehicle storage.
To minimize flat-spotting, vehicles will be shipped
with tires inflated to maximum sidewall pressures.
Chrysler currently ships the Journey/Freemont, Fiat
500/Fiat Cabrio, Ram 1500, RT/RM Minivan and MK
Patriot/Compass at maximum sidewall pressures.
Corporate Quality intends to phase-in “delivery-todealer” tire inflation to maximum sidewall tire
pressure to include all vehicle lines, with the
exception of Heavy Duty Trucks. The tire pressure
should be left at maximum sidewall pressure during
Pre-Delivery Inspection (PDI) in order to prevent flatspotting during storage.
When the vehicle is being evaluated by or delivered
to the customer, the tire pressure must be reduced to
placard tire pressure. See driver’s door opening at
B-Pillar for proper vehicle tire pressures.
Tire pressures not adjusted to placard pressure may
cause a harsh ride condition.
-----------------------------------------------------

Location of the Keyless-Go Button in
Delivered 2013 RT Vehicles
The location of the “Keyless-Go” button in delivered
2013 RT vehicles has changed. Prior to the change,
the buttons could be found in one of the front cup
holders. The buttons are now being shipped in the
trunk kit, which is usually located on the 3rd row seat.
Please check for the button in this new shipping
location before attempting to order a replacement.

Low Battery Voltage Can Lead to the Need
for Header Seal Replacement
A weak battery on a 200 Convertible (JR27) can
cause a situation where the header seal can become
pinched by the door glass.

-----------------------------------------------------

Chrysler Group LLC

No. 78

Testing has indicated that at 9.0 volts and lower, the
door glass on a JR 27 will not function. That means
if the driver or passenger doors are opened when
battery voltage is that low, the door glass will not
drop slightly per normal operation. Once the doors

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STAR Center News
Jan/Feb 2013

No. 78

are closed, the door glass will pinch the header seal
because of the lack of movement of the window
upon door opening.

IOD Fuse “ON”
(Seated Position)

Header Seal Pinched
If left in this manner, the header seal will eventually
(after a few hours) become permanently deformed,
ruining the seal and requiring its replacement.

If the IOD fuse is removed (unseated) while the the
vehicle is parked in the yard or on the lot, the
battery’s rate of discharge is low (5 mAh), and the
battery capacity is preserved for a significantly longer
period of time.

To prevent this condition from occurring, the IOD
fuse (Fig. 1) should be removed (unseated) when the
vehicle is stored.

IOD Fuse

IOD Fuse “OFF”
(Unseated Position)

-----------------------------------------------------

P0300 Misfire on 2013 RT/LX/LD
If the IOD fuse is left in the vehicle (seated), the rate
of battery discharge is high (25 mAh), and will take
approx. 75 days to loose capacity to operate the
door glass.

2013 RT/LX/LC/LD Vehicles built in the summer and
early fall of 2012 had poor fuel quality from the plant
and may set a P0300 code if started in colder
weather. A Service Bulletin (18-007-13) was issued
to let dealers know to add at least 5 gallons of fresh
fuel if this P0300 DTC is stored/active (with no other
DTC faults), or if the engine runs rough after a cold
start.

Dash Cluster Brow Coating Delamination
on 2013 PF
If you encounter coating delamination on the dash
cluster brow, it may be due to harsh alcohol based
cleaning chemicals such as isopropyl alcohol,
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STAR Center News
Jan/Feb 2013
sanitary wipes, glass cleaner and some multipurpose cleaners.

No. 78
customer returns for additional service work,
Customer Satisfaction Teams will have an improved
service record to aid in their investigation into the
customer issue.
-----------------------------------------------------

Cummins Diesel Oxygen Sensor Repairs
There are still many instances of parts being
replaced for Oxygen Sensor codes when no parts
are necessary. Numerous Service Bulletins clearly
explain the processes to repair wiring terminals
and/or connectors on 2010 – 2012 Ram HD Pickups
equipped with the Cummins diesel engine.
Engineering recommends that a mild detergent (i.e.
dish soap) and warm water be used to clean
instrument panel and interior surfaces. Mopar Total
Clean may also be used for general cleaning of
interior surfaces. Difficult to remove residues, such
as grease or other oil-based materials, can usually
be removed with Mopar Multi-Purpose Cleaner. All
interior materials have been developed using these
cleaning products and they should not damage any
interior surfaces.
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