Greetings from a new owner of a 2003 M45

[lvwhitin]

Hi All,

Thanks for all great postings! My "new" M45 has just < 73K. I pd 16700, I'm guessing there are very few in Iowa. This one looks like it was an exec car titled in FL.

With mixed feelings I've found 2 things already causing me grief . The gas gauge and the trunk.

1) From the post I see I need to get the trunk lift kit from Burtman. I saw mixed messages if I will fix the problem. The trunk will not open enough to prevent the autoclose to occur. ie the door button is useless. Do I need to have it open at least an inch or not? Second, as a DIY, is the plug and play ease of install true?

2) My gas gauge ... I never goes below 3/4 at start up and creps up to full in a few minutes . I've laready replaced the fuel sending unit based on the error code from the enigine, but see there's more gauges in the dash:RING-O FGUEL GAG -17342-01A00, and the SENDER UNIT-FUEL GAUGE-25060-AG200 from another post.

3) As far as the oil consumption ... just jeep in eye on the dip stick?

Thanks Again and I look forward to trying a some of the mods. I was getting discouraged but realize I found a gem that needs a little polish.

L

[vzuptnguyen]

can you please restate #2 i dont understand the comment.

[CakeDaddy]

3) As far as the oil consumption ... just jeep in eye on the dip stick?

Thanks Again and I look forward to trying a some of the mods. I was getting discouraged but realize I found a gem that needs a little polish.

L

Join the party! Welcome

#3 I think this issue is over rated and appears to be an isolated issue with only a few members on THIS board. I myself read about oil consumption(sp) began to panic, so I too the car to the dealer and after 6 moth and XXX miles later, all was good. This is a big V8 and yes, it may burn some oil and it may not be a bad idea to check the dip stick from time to time, plus keep a quart of Mobil 1 or whatever you use in the garage.

I’m probably the most un qualified person to give info on oil consumption(sp) since I’ve only driven my car 6,000 since I purchased it in December of 2005, but I’ve spent some time talking to my service guy about this car.

[lvwhitin]

Regarding my gas gage - after I used what I've guessed is at least half the tank, the gauge will still read well over half. For example, I'll start the car. The gauge reads 3/4. As I drive the gauge will slowly move to show a full tank even though I know I have approximately half a tank. I've had the fuel sending unit on the tank replaced as that was the error code provided. The gauge still is not functioning properly. We believe if the problem was the gauge on the dash an error code for it would be given.

With all the posts on this subject I could not determine a common fix.

Thanks for your thoughts.

L

[nmgoodthing]

You need to replace the whole gauge cluster to resolve this issue. About a $600 job out of warrenty.

THis is the only way to fix the gas gauge issue.

[buhdda]

Fortunately i personally dont have the gas gauge problem but to those who do i was just curious,

Does the 'Miles to Empty' in Feul economy work properly?

[nmgoodthing]

Negative! If you don't want to replace the gauge cluster and just deal with it, then you have to use your odometer and keep track of miles manually.

[szh]

then you have to use your odometer and keep track of miles manually.

Simplest and easiest!

I fill the tank whenever I get near about 275 to 300 miles on my trip meter. Takes about 18 gallons to 19 gallons at that point.

Z

[lvwhitin]

So far I have been doing the fill up and set the trip odometer thing. Being OCD it has to work properly.... so between staniding behind the sale, a 50/50 service contract and some mechanical help, it won't be too painful $$$.

I still haven't heard from anyone who's used the Burtman trunk lift. To review, if my truck doesn't pop up at all will the Burtman lift still fix the problem?

Thanks to all who've looked. This is a great forum...

Already having folks turning to take a closer look at the M. I'm guessing in the only one in Eastern Iowa!

L

[lfj2025]

Trunk kit works perfect even with a spoiler.

[CakeDaddy]

I still haven't heard from anyone who's used the Burtman trunk lift. To review, if my truck doesn't pop up at all will the Burtman lift still fix the problem?

L

After reading that one strut would work; I purchased a spare strut form another member, but after the install it left my trunk uneven when closed on the side where I installed the burtman spring. I made adjustments, but to no avail. I have to admit that the single strut did pop the trunk over half way up, but since it didn't close flush I opted out. I tried the install on two different occasions and later decided to go back to the OEM stuts, which aren’t that bad since I had the dealer replace them. So, I have a spare strut in my garage.
Modified by CakeDaddy at 2:48 PM 9/21/2007

[szh]

For me, an under-warranty replacement of the struts fixed the trunk-opening problem completely. I suspect it will recur again, but for now, I am fine!

Z

[pedros94probegt]

wait a sec....is the trunk suppose to swing open all the way or something?....cause my car never did that and when i mentioned it to the dealer they told me everything was fine....and this was when i was still under factory warranty. i dont want to pay $100 now when they should have fixed it for free

[szh]

wait a sec....is the trunk suppose to swing open all the way or something?....cause my car never did that and when i mentioned it to the dealer they told me everything was fine....and this was when i was still under factory warranty. i dont want to pay $100 now when they should have fixed it for free

No, the original design is not supposed to pop it all the way - just about 2 to 6 inches (more in some cars ... mine rises about a foot now), so that you can raise the trunk after that.

The flaw in some cars is that the struts weaken and do not raise the trunk lid high enough ... then the automatic closing system closes the trunk before you can get to it (assuming you used the door release button)!

Z