I don't know if you are talking to me or not, but I did get through mine. Basically, there are two problems, one, the steering column lock which the fix listed here corrects (or basically removes the lock from engaging the column - which was ok with me, I doubt it steering column locks have detoured many thieves) the other problem, is the tumbler itself, which was my problem.


I did the column fix while I had the key mechanism out, I mean, why not. My key would turn and start maybe once in 200 tries, I kept trying until I got it to the first position, pushing down on that button by the column the entire 200 times. I could swear I never got it to the first position but somehow, the housing slipped out of the column and I got it out, maybe I had my tongue in the right position. After it was out, again I tried turning it to get the black sleeve around the tumbler off. That sleeve doesn't tread on, it has a horizontal slot about nine o'clock which is locked on. I just played with it and got it off, like I said, my key wasn't turning very well at all, if any at all. Then I couldn't get the tumbler out, there is a pin and a spring behind it at 12:00 o'clock but that doesn't allow it out, it has to be in that first position. I took it to a local locksmith and he, after about 200 tries, got it out. We cut a new key, seeing if maybe the problem was a worn key but it wasn't, the tumbler was allowing the key to go in too far. I went to Mercedes and bought a new tumbler, which they told me wouldn't work, but it did. The cost was around 70 bucks. It came with a key, no head on the key, but the inside was cut. My locksmith ordered a new Crossfire key with the pod, he put the little brain out of my old pod into the new pod and cut it to match the new tumbler, it works perfectly. My old key broke off the pod during my many 200 tries to turn it.


I hope the above helps. I, not knowing that the pod's brain is one time only programmable, I bought an uncut key with a pod off of ebay for 50 bucks, but upon receipt, the pod looks well used, the key part is new. I figured I would go back to my locksmith and have him put the brain part that he took out of the new pod he bought into this pod and cut the key to match my ignition, then I will go about getting that one programed to match my car's serial number. Note: even though you change the tumbler, the brain part remains the same and it's identified with your serial number.


Dave