ZERACER - I think 10 letters would do it if they get to the right person.

Here's what I sent to Mark Phelan at the Detroit Free Press today. Hopefully he can get it to someone that can help.

Mark Phelan
Auto Writer
Detroit Free Press


Dear Mr. Phelan:


This is the second letter I sent to Michael Manley. It went by snail-mail today. So far, despite many attempts to contact someone at FCA, I’ve heard nothing. You may send any of my
stuff wherever you think it may do some good. Here’s a point I would like to emphasize:


This is a unique situation because this SKREEM Ignition Immobilizer Module is a vehicle specific part and needs a code that only Chrysler can provide. Every Crossover owner/driver can be subject to “instant jeopardy” and significant financial loss as long as Chrysler does not make these parts and codes available. I drove my car into my garage, and when next I went to start it - nothing. No start, no drive, nothing. No one seems to know why these units fail, but if it was an MB SLK I could go to an MB dealership and they could get a properly coded part in a few days, or take a blank one off the shelf and code it right there. With the mechanicaly identical Crossover, I am left with an inoperable, unsaleable lawn ornament. Every single Crossover owner risks being stuck wherever he goes, with no remedy available, and FCA does not seem to care.


Drive to the mall, shop, come out and if the SKREEM module craps out - and nobody seems to know why this happens - you’re stuck looking for a tow truck. Tow it to the nearest Chrysler dealer and they can’t help you. They can’t get the part and/or code from Chrysler or Mopar. Go on vacation or to visit Grandma or the kids, and if you are a thousand miles from home and this happens - what can you do?


I can’t fathom why FCA doesn’t jump on this opportunity to do something positive for their customers. It will cost them nothing. Owners want to buy these parts. Some even want to buy a spare to take with them, so they have it “just in case.” FCA is in business to manufacture, sell and service cars and trucks. They claim that Chrysler care “Is there for you, night and day. That’s bullshit. This fiasco has been going on for a long time, and they have not addressed it.


So, I’m not a lawyer by I think I can find one that will get interested in this case. When other companies can’t manufacture aftermarket modules because they don’t have access to the codes required because FCA won’t give them to them, is this restraint of trade. When FCA charges twice as much for the same part that MB dealers have, is that price-gouging? I don’t want to get involved in all that, but I guess I will if I have to.


I have a nice car, the littlest Chrysler, and can’t use it. I can’t sell it. I know how to fix it in about one hour, but FCA won’t provide the part or code for my car. I would think that Mr. Manley, with his business acumen and engineering background, iff informed of this situation, would immediately step up and get this corrected. Getting this to him seems to be a big problem. I know he’s got a lot on his plate, but if he reads my letter and delegates an aide to get this done, it should be a two minute involvement for him.


Here’s what I mailed to him today:


Mr. Michael Manley
CEO - FCA US LCC
1000 Chrysler Drive
Auburn Hills, MI 48326-2766 August 29, 2019


Dear Mr. Manley,


I continue to attempt to contact you in the hope that you will help Chrysler customers that have been left in the lurch. I wrote you last week about the failure of FCA to stock and sell Crossfire Owners the vehicle specific SKREEM Ignition Immobilizer Modules we need to be able to start, operate and drive (or sell) our cars. Chrysler produced and sold 75,000 of these cars, every single one of which which cannot be operated or repaired if it has a SKREEM module failure.


This part is/was standard for the MB SLK that the Crossfire is based upon. It was produced by SIEMENS as part # 1708201826, and is still produced and stocker in the MB parts system, but unfortunately because the part is “theft related” and our Crossfires have Chrysler VIN numbers which the MB computerized parts system will not recognize, they cannot sell them to us. Anyway, the unit that will work in my car must have a special code inserted, a code that only Chrysler has. No code, no tickee, no washee. Everyone I have tried to contact at FCA, and the three local Chrysler dealers I have visited, have either not answered my S.O.S. offered asinine solutions such as”try the aftermarket” or told me they can order me one if I pay an inflated price for it, in full, at the time of ordering it, non-refundable, and no ETA for the part.


I read that you have an engineering background, and made a big success for Jeep in your former role. I hope that your knowledge of engineering means that you understand that your customer owners who bought, paid for and are now left sitting with cars that are usable only as lawn ornaments, and that the only way to get these cars back on the road is if Chrysler sells us the specific part we need.


I’m 81 years old and running short of time. I can’t afford to keep licensing and insuring a car I can’t use. How about getting me, and the other Chrysler customers that need these parts - and they are many - what we need. I attach here a short video that shows just how simple a repair this would be if we just had the properly coded part.


NeedsWings Performance Products. Crossfire SKREEM and Antenna Ring


I’m so desperate’ I’ve ordered and paid for a part from Needswings. If I walk in the parts department door and have an MB VIN they would sell me this module for $270, and I’d have it in two days. If I go to a Chrysler stealership they want about $550. for it, pay up front, non refundable, same part, and can’t tell me twhen I might get it. I ordered and paid for one from Needswings when they thought they would have them “soon”, but now their web page (see above link) says no ETA, and they do give a refund if Chrysler does not code and supply a part.If servicing your customers with vehicle specific parts is a pain in the *** to FCA you should not use them, or perhaps have some aftermarket firm like Needswings handle it for you.


The MB’s parts system said they recently had 600 of these units in their parts worldwide inventory. How about you personally call up your counterpart at MB and ask him to do you a favor and loan you a dozen or so of these modules and get whoever it is in Chrysler who does this to program in the code and ship them to me and Needswings and the other people who need them? A small thing for you to do, a big help for us, and a nice “Chrysler Cares” item for the automotive press and public.


Please act to correct this problem, now.


Thank you.