UPDATE: I've had two telephone conversations with the gent at FCA who was tasked to look into the SKREEM situation. This seems to be moving at a glacial pace, but I will keep trying. If this doesn't result in a real solution real soon, I'll be posting the contact info with a suggested query for Crossfire owners to email in. Maybe we need to form an entity to lobby for an immediate remedy. I was watching the news on TV tonight and saw on one story about the health risk of e-cigarettes that there is actually an American Vaping Association! Maybe we need one - Citizens and Crossfire Owners for Clean Air and Accessible Parts? The Association of Disgruntles Car Buyers? Vets for Parts Justive? Suggestions? I'll be Treasurer. When may I expect your dues check? Maybe we need a mascot? I suggest a raccoon - I can see him crawling in behind the dashboard to install those readily available and moderately priced SKREEM modules.

Here's what I was writing to him today when he called.

"I’m not one that thinks the sins of the fathers should be visited on the sons. When the so-called “marriage of equals” between Daimler Benz and Chrysler was consummated and it was decided to co-build a “Halo” car (the Crossfire) MB contributed what amounted to some old parts, system and architecture platforms that they had going out of service - parts like this problem prone ignition system, the recirculating ball steering system, etc. So I am not holding Chrysler responsible for going along with MBs “do it on the cheap” philosophy. Still it does tend to inflame some passions when they sound-off with that “The Best or Nothing” slogan. Amazingly, it would seem they could sell wheelbarrows if they had that silver star on them. (I’m also not taken by the Chrysler guy saying “Here when you need us.” I’ve been trying to get this solved since last November and no help so far.


We, loyal Chrysler customers, are getting the short end of the stick by the present administration at FCA ignoring our need for these damn “vehicle specific” parts. Without availability, we are forced to scrounge around to repair the flaws that were built into the cars that were sold to us by Chrysler dealers. They won’t help so we have to hustle around to correct these situations that, any time the cars choose to fail to start or lock up, can render us on foot and looking for tow truck. FCA needs to step up and help us. Chrysler dealers are practically worthless in regards to these cars. They don’t understand them, don’t have and sometimes can’t get the parts, and don’t even have the computer, card and pigtail they need to contact the cars computer. There are a lot of Crossfire owners that are stuck with various problems. Mine is just getting a properly programmed SKREEM module.


In October I have to renew my registration, emissions test and pay for continuing insurance on this car. I keep doing that for a car I can’t use because of Chrysler’s failure to provide parts. If FCA will step up and fix this car, I’ll temporarily donate it for the purpose of your tech guys working out a BYPASS solution. Authorize shipment of the car from here to your Tech Center in Auburn Hills and they can have it to play with for a couple months. They should concentrate on the SKREEM, keys and fobs and the damn ignition locks that sometimes grab the key and won’t let go. Maybe they could come up with an A-B-C service bulletin to send to dealerships if/when they are approached by customers. If you send me just the properly coded SKREEM module I think I can have a local mechanic help me to install it, but MOPAR needs to get these and stock them for others. The Crossfire Forum has some very experienced members.


This INDIVIDUAL 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. Let’s get this done."


Any Forum members near Auburn Hills?