ok, so this is a poor atempt on a rip off of a OLD lost in space...

so i parked at the airport valet in el pso texas. when i returned to pick up my car, i was informed that someone had 'accidentally broken' my key.
hmmmmmmmmm
the attendant showed me that the key was in fact broken off of the fob and stuck in the ignition.
The lot manager agreed to pay for a new key and associated programming.

6 weeks later...

the info i have is that my xfire is one of the few that chrysler did not have the key codes saved on their system..
so....
they cannot reprogram a new key. or cut a new key.

so....

chrysler is going to send a new bcu...

and a new ignition switch [and presumably with keys]
and...
they will install the bcu [yes it is called the the body control unit]
install the new ignition switch...

and then send the codes to chrysler...

who will then enter the codes into their database...

then they will send the reprogramming codes back to the dealer...

so the dealer can program my new key[s].

this is information from the local dealer and the franchise owner as well as chrysler customer service.

so...before i'm inundated with all the opinions of how much bull this is...

i would suggest that EVERYONE contact their local dealer and have their vin checked out to see if their key COULD be recut without the 'fun' that i'm having now.

btw, it took almost a month of waiting before chrysler verified this issue.

so..be persistant if you chose to follow this path grasshopper[s]

and as a side note...

my car will be down while the 'code to chrysler back to the dealer
' issue is resolved.

how long for the parts and pieces to fall into place....

no one knows [or is willing to talk about it]

i ordered and paid for the key on 11.6.09. i've been told the best case scenario will be the END of january 2010.

cheers!