Originally Posted by
wolfstalker
Sorry for the typos. To clarify, and this is from memory - I didn't take notes. The gent I spoke with at FCA Lock and Key department, who told me about the 600 on his list, told me that the code that goes into the module so that it will operate in a specific vehicle IS NOT THE VIN. It is another code that has been assigned to that particular VIN. He said something like "if you try to do the end run with using the three lock "kit" and module/antenna - effectively changing the code you will be operating with to something else than what the main computer operates on now, you "may" or "probably will" fry that computer. I think he said "you better have a new "blank" main computer to go with it.
Interesting that this kit, for about $450., contains, module, antenna, two new fob keys and the door, ignition and glovebox key. Chrysler, it seems, wants about $1500 for all that, so where do these come from and what do they really cost if, for example, you buy them from MB?
I may be stating this incorrectly, or FCA may have an interest in owners not doing this, or ??? I definitely asked him again if it would work and he said something like "it will just cause more problems. I think that MB had this system in earlier SLKs and other vehicles that they made, so the codes and the system for getting the modules and keys coded was all in house, and when the companies joined, Chrysler complicated an already byzantine procedure by having their own codes that MB didn't have access to.
Maybe. Honestly, I have no familiarity with how these things work, so don't rely on what I say about this subject. OK?
Wolf, the trilogy (MB, Fiat, and Chrysler) do not seem to want to cooperate for whatever reason. Besides all the other ppl you have contacted is there any avenue like the FTC or a lawyer on your list of contacts? I don't know if this issue would be a type of class action due to this possible '****-ing' contest' between those three companies, but seems to me if they cannot supply parts (at any price) then Fiat (the current owner of Chrysler and the name on the badge) should be the primary and Chrysler/MB included in a class action. Those parts suppliers who demand a non-refundable price with no guarantee it will ever come, IMHO, are ripping ppl off. Sounds to me they may be calculating the cost of delivering SKREEMs vs the cost of actually supplying them (bean counters, if they don't make money the price you paid may have been used in a decision to deny supplying them). Dragging this on (to them) may be a way of just wearing ppl out.
I hope you succeed, sticking it to the man seems to be the only way to get the man to do the right thing. Dammit, either supply a bypass or provide the parts to fix the car. It isn't unreasonable. Hard, but the cost (reasonable, not trashing the car because they can't get their act together) should not be born by owners.
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