I had to have new keys programmed to my car and had that done at a local place specializing in rekeying new cars. (Their main customers are banks rekeying repo cars. Who knew?) Anyway, this year my lower dash fell. While inventing new language with my 6' frame under the dash I noticed the guys who disassembled the dash for the smart key guy had broken all, but one of the plastic tabs that the dash screws screw to to hold up the lower dash. The guy did good work with the keys, but his disassemblers seem to have been ham-fisted. As I had just bought the car it may be the PO had torn into the dash and broke things, but from the look of the car (all paintwork was covered with plastic film, Mercedes brake pads) and the messed up, non-working original key, I assume the PO was careful and sold the car with the key problem.

I made a plan to hold up the lower dash, but am not proud of my work.

Also, I noticed a plastic piece dangling from the side of the clutch pedal. I assume that is the clutch pedal position sensor. Don't know how long it was broke. Might explain why my cruise control doesn't work. That said, I like working on my Crossfire!

John