2005 Dodge Dakota on 2040-cars

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Dodge Viper recall requires small-handed mechanics

It has been over a year since Chrysler first announced its recall of 3,660 2003-2004 Dodge Vipers because the airbag could suddenly deploy. The repairs are finally beginning, and it appears to be a nightmare for mechanics.
According to the automaker's filing with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the airbag control module can fail, which causes the bag or the seatbelt pre-tensioner to deploy without warning. It took over a year to design the new parts, according to The New York Times. However, Chrysler finally has a new "jumper harness with an in-line diode filter circuit" ready to fix the problem.
The dilemma now moves to the mechanics who have to actually install the part. A 47-step guide from Chrysler explains that the procedure should take about two hours. It's not an easy job, though. Most of the dashboard has to be taken apart, and the instructions include this helpful bit of advice: "Installing the jumper harness and filter box into position is not an easy task. Patience, perseverance, and small hands are required." We wish the best of luck to them. The fix comes just in time for the Vipers to enjoy the summer sun.

Marchionne may stay with FCA until 2020

We might get to see Sergio Marchionne and his vast array of sweaters in the auto industry for even longer than expected. The FCA CEO suggested last year that he would retire from the automaker when its current five-year plan was complete in 2018. Now, he has tentatively extended that point out to at least 2020. "I can do this for another five years if you push me, right? Beyond that, I ain't gonna do it, and I don't want to," he said to Automotive News. That would give Marchionne a 16-year career at the top from joining Fiat in 2004 to possibly leaving FCA in 2020. Although, take the CEO's statement with a grain of salt because he has made multiple statements about the timing for his retirement. In 2012, Marchionne said he would only remain in charge until 2015, which is, well, now. Those five years might also go quite quickly because Marchionne is a busy guy with the Ferrari IPO, the attempted merger with General Motors, implementing FCA's five-year plan, and many other projects. He's already considering the next CEO, though. "My purpose in life is to find the Kuniskises of the world, the Manleys, the Biglands, the Palmers," Marchionne said to Automotive News, referencing the heads at Dodge, Jeep, FCA North America, and the company's chief financial officer, respectively. "I told them, 'One of you is going to do what I do one day. I don't know who that is, but one of you is going to do it.'" News Source: Automotive News - sub. req.Image Credit: Paul Sancya / AP Photo Chrysler Dodge Fiat Jeep Sergio Marchionne FCA fca us Mike Manley reid bigland tim kuniskis

PGA golfer Kevin Na won a '73 Dodge Challenger, gave it to his caddie

PGA Golfer Kevin Na had one of the best Memorial Day weekends on the planet, as he took home more than $1.3 million from winning the Charles Schwab Challenge. But his caddie Kenny Harms' weekend wasn't too far behind. In addition to the monetary purse, Na won a restomodded 1973 Dodge Challenger, which he then immediately gifted to Harms. Plus, as a sponsor of the event, Lexus gave Harms a free one-year lease on a new UX F Sport. In 15 events so far in 2019, 35-year-old Na has three times finished in the top 10, but his victory at the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club in Texas was his first tournament win of the year. Na, who has been a pro since 2001, was awarded a restored '73 Challenger as part of his winnings. His caddie had been ogling the ride all week, and even predicted the car would be his: This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. As soon as Na won the tournament, turned to Harms and yelled, "that's your car!" This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. After the event, Na joked that he wasn't sure how Harms convinced him to give the car away. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. According to a PGA.com report, Harms had told Na he wanted the car, which commemorates the year Charles Schwab was founded, when they heard about the prize months before. Coincidentally, Harms first car was a crummy 1973 Chevrolet Camaro. Steve Strope and his Cali-based shop Pure Vision handled the Challenger customization. Aside from the suggestion of blue paint, Schwab let Strope work his magic. He took the car down to the bare metal before building it back up as an impressive restomod. Because Dodge started downgrading power in the '73 Challengers, Strope swapped in a modern 6.4-liter Hemi crate motor that's rated at 485 horsepower. Several other special touches were added, including tartan interior accents that nod to the famous tartan jacket that is awarded to the tournament's winner. The video above details some of the work. Something tells us the Lexus UX might get a little more use but a little less love than the Challenger. This content is hosted by a third party. To view it, please update your privacy preferences. Manage Settings. Auto News Dodge Coupe Classics lexus ux PGA