redtomatoman

Came across this regarding the new DJ. . . Chrysler will move production of the next-generation Dodge Journey and Fiat Freemont crossover utility vehicles from Toluca, Mexico, to Sterling Heights where it will also build the next generation of its Chrysler 200 sedan, according to a report published Tuesday by AutomotiveCompass. All three vehicles will be built on a common platform that Chrysler shares with Fiat’s Alfa Romeo Giulietta, said Sam Fiorani, senior automotive market analyst for AutomotiveCompass. Fiorani said his firm learned of Chrysler’s plans from several suppliers, who also said Chrysler will discontinue production of the Dodge Avenger, which is currently built at Sterling Heights. Chrysler has said a redesigned 200 will go on sale next year. According to Fiorani, production will begin on the next-generation Journey and Freemont in January 2016. Chrysler spokeswoman Jodi Tinson declined to comment. The current Chrysler 200 was first introduced as the Chrysler Sebring — a car auto critics savaged for its cheap interior, which represented how the automaker’s quality had declined in the years leading up to its 2009 Chapter 11 bankruptcy. New management quickly upgraded both the Chrysler and Dodge midsize models, rebadging the former as the 200. Sales of the car surged 44% to more than 125,000 in 2012, but it still lags behind segment leaders Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. Chrysler is counting on the redesigned version to be a more credible competitor. With sales of just under 80,000 in 2012, the Dodge Journey is a compact crossover that struggles to compete with models such as Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 and Ford Escape. However, the Fiat Freemont has been a popular model in Europe. Built in 1953, Chrysler’s Sterling Heights assembly was once tagged for closure under Chrysler’s reorganization plan. Chrysler announced in 2010 and 2011 a more than $1-billion investment to build paint and body shops at the site. Construction is expected to finish this year. Today Chrysler employs about 2,500 hourly employees on two shifts at the plant. Peace.

My screen went blank again yesterday. The weird thing is that the screen is operational. Its just black. This time I played with it a little. I was able to pause and restart the music (source iPod). Really weird. Anyway. . . Very intermittent. Doubt the service folks will do anything if they can't reproduce the blank screen. Restarted the engine at a red light. Fine since then. My 2 yr maintenance service is this month. I'll mention it. Peace.

If you didn't disconnect the battery, I'd try that. It may save a trip to the dealer. Good luck. Peace.

I've had these since day one in my 2011. Not sure if your "dropouts" are the same as mine. Nobody has seemed to know what I was eluding to in previous posts. I use an iPod classic video version. 30 gig. About every 20-30 mins there will be a short 1/2 sec dropout of music. Then it goes another 20-30 mins before there is another. They never end on long trips. If this behavior is the same as yours, I'd like to know which update was applied. I'll have my DJ updated. I've been told that the iPod is at fault for these dropouts. Thanks in advance. Peace.

Best of luck to you. Not having cruise control is no fun. Replacing the SCCM worked for my intermittent problem, hope it solves yours. Peace.

Wow! Love this thread. Real emotion. Clearly, the DJ is a car IMHO. It doesn't bother me if others call it a truck. I was simply stating my reasons for having my opinion. I'm with webslave all the way here. Its a CUV. There are no trucks with carpet or fuzz in the cargo area. Car. . . Peace.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="bramfrank" data-cid="28515" data-time="1369070136"><p> I call it a truck. My insurance company calls it a truck. A truck is not defined by what covers the cargo area and lots of pickups are more luxurious than the DJ.</p></blockquote> If you can name one "truck" that comes with carpet in the cargo area, then I'll concede. To me, the DJ is a CUV which is a car. The DJ is based on the avenger platform. Anyway. . . Rams, Silverados, f-150s are trucks no matter how nice their stereo systems may be. Peace.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="ryanw327" data-cid="28506" data-time="1369016907"><p> Makes sence. Know where I can get a replacement?</p></blockquote> EBay.

Sweet video. Not really sure what I saw. Is this something the will be a reality soon? Peace.

Absolutely NOT a truck. With all due respect. . . It's a car. So what if it has lots of utility? So do station wagons from 1976. They are definitely not trucks. The DJ has car suspension, car towing capacity, car styling, car clearance, car everything. It comes with carpet in the "cargo" area. Trucks do not come with carpet in their cargo area. I've said it to lots of people, the DJ is the perfect marriage of the Charger and Caliber. Neither of which are trucks. As a side note, IMHO the DJ is not an SUV either. CUV or crossover is the only category it fits into for the reasons I eluded to above. SUVs are meant for off roading, towing, loading, etc. CUVs are sporty cars that can carry all your gear. In China, the Journey is called the JCUV. I'm sure plenty of folks will disagree with me. That's why posts like this are fun. Peace.

I think the 2011 thru 2013 have the same suspension setups. The difference between my R/T and SXT I drove was noticeable. That's why I chose the R/T. Peace.

<blockquote class='ipsBlockquote'data-author="harry.j" data-cid="28372" data-time="1368354607"><p> <span rel='lightbox'><img src='http://www.vw.ca/en/models/touareg_2013/features_specs/_jcr_content.m434_trimleveldetail_header_sprite.suffix.png/touareg~2Fcomfortline.png' alt='Posted Image' class='bbc_img' /></span> Compared to JOURNEY 2013<br /> now this is same type of suv if not smaller and look at the hauling of this car Wow now some thing ! i don t believe ,<br /> Type 3.6L FSI, 6-cylinder 10.6° 4V, with direct injection Horsepower (SAE) @ rpm 280 @ 6,200 (206 kW @ 6,200) Maximum Torque, lb-ft @ rpm 266 @ 3,0004,000 (360 Nm @ 3,0004,000) <br /> Curb Weight Automatic transmission 2,137kg Payload Automatic transmission 663kg Towing Capacity (max. braked trailer) <br /> Automatic transmission 3,500kg <br /> this is 7000lb! <br /> if its a diference of bearing and shocks or axcel ,or price , how cheep can the be on the journey ,OR Volkswagen is bullshiting us,</p></blockquote> I agree. I have not researched this nor will I, but how could a similar vehicle tow a 7000 lb trailer? VW is misleading consumers. Typical. VW seems like they market to the max. Peace.

Not completely sure about the differences, but the clock spring and the SCCM (steering column control module) are involved in the communication between the steering wheel switches and the mothership. I had the same problem. The dealer replaced my switch first. The SCCM fixed the problem. Good luck. Peace.

Welcome. DJs rock! Seriously, hope you enjoy yours. Peace.

While I think our DJ is an awesome CUV, there is surprisingly little excitement surrounding it. Most seem pretty ambivalent on the subject of the DJ. While packed with utility, I guess the CUV is lackluster when compared to the likes of the Challenger, Charger, or Dart. To me, the DJ is the perfect mix of the Charger and the discontinued Caliber. I cannot understand why the Caliber was such a colossal failure. IMO, the design was spot on. I guess it was just the dark years of Chrysler and quality issues that did it in? I looked at the Caliber before deciding on the DJ. From a utility standpoint, they are similar, but from a quality and driveability standpoint there is no comparison. I keep reading that the new CUV will be a Chrysler and not a Dodge. A new Town and Country to be exact. . . Dunno. The Chrysler plans are not clear and may indicate that the DJ will not survive past 2014 or 2015. I personally believe that the DJ will move forward at least one more generation. If it does, I suspect it will make us all envious. We'll see. . . Peace.

I've had some (suspension?) noise that I have not had a chance to have the dealer investigate yet. Happens with any side to side sway like if I hit a driveway entrance or exit at an angle. Mine seems to be coming from the rear but honestly it is hard to isolate. The noise is definitely related to the sway but I cannot say for sure that mine is suspension (although that is the most likely culprit). Like you, everything is perfect 99% of the time so I have almost written it off as a normal noise. If I find out anything, I will certainly post it here. Please also keep us updated on yours. I plan to have mine looked at in June (my 2 yr maintenance check). Peace.

Looked again at my 2011 manual. It states in two different places that the units for the evic, the odometer, and the nav system can be changed and gives a procedure. I do understand that yours is a 2009 and may be different, but I fear that the numbers on the HVAC unit may be hard wired for Fahrenheit with yours as it seems mine are on my 2011. Not sure. There may be a trick to change those numbers that would normally be preset at the factory or something. If it can be changed, I believe that someone will be able to help with this. Luckily its only an aesthetics problem and not a functional one, but I can absolutely understand why you want it changed. Honestly, I can't believe this has not come up sooner. Have all the metric folks just lived with the degrees in Fahrenheit all this time? The other thing you may want to do is post this question on the charger challenger forums as their HVAC systems from 2009 should be similar. Maybe someone there knows the trick. If it exists. . . Peace.

I looked in my manual today. It seems that the toggled values are in the evic and are for computer data i.e. the results of a computer calculation. Not sure you can toggle the climate screen setting units as those could be hard wired. If it can be done, my manual did not make the process clear to me. If anyone gets those values changed, I'd be interested in how it was done. Peace.

My understanding is this: there are two different Sirius XM antennas. Depending on which antenna you have drives what package you order. All channels are available but the billing may be different. Peace.

Mine works the same. Floor is stronger when bi-level selected. Dash vents work, but floor definitely more powerful. Peace.

I suggest you find some files that are definitely distorted, some that are clear, and put those one some portable media (iPod or USB stick). Play it in your DJ and compare the sound to another new DJ as well as other vehicles with the same stereo system (charger) side by side at the dealership. I would demonstrate the difference to the service manager before repair and demo the sound with the service manager after the repair to confirm that the problem was solved. Good Luck. Please post an update. Peace.

The first thing I would check is the quality of your music files. If you are like me, you get music from a variety of sources with a variety of differing file qualities. It may be something as simple as the file quality. Check the distorted songs to see if there is a pattern of file size. Good luck. Peace.

Congrats. Still happy with my 2011 R/T. Enjoy! Peace.

How do you know? If you're sure its a misfire in the cylinder chamber, I believe that engine work should be done at the dealer (or a mechanic you trust). The dealer would be the best place to start. If you don't like what you hear, go to a mechanic you trust. Best of Luck. Peace.

I believe the kind of weight you are talking about here is beyond the DJ's capability. I think others will correct me if I am wrong. Good luck. Peace.