Having trouble with my 2004 Crossfire automatic hardtop.

The key won't turn in the ignition.

Took the car to the dealer and what ever they did they got the ingnition working again but not totally fixed.

The dealer says I need a new ignition housing P/N 68001655AA Housing-I.

Only $1066 parts and labor ! WOW !

I got my car back, as it does start now that the dealer unlocked it somehow.
$127 for the diagnostic.

The cheapest I've seen for the part online is $379.62. The dealer wants $575 for the part alone.

Found this video where the guy is removing the cylinder lock.

Is this a good idea ?
Anyone heard of this before?
How much easier would it be to steal the car with the cylinder lock removed ?

 

Do as they say and reassemble the part back into your car and you will have solved the problem and there will be no repeat of it. New parts do not have these parts in them, it will not make the car easier to steal.
Follow this post as well. Click.

 

Don't buy any parts, follow the PDF for FREE!

 

I just read how to fix the sticking key, is there any way to go with a push button start so many new cars are going that way????

 

Yes it is possible however from past posters known issues you will create such a headache in diagnosing future no start problems you will have to put the car back original, fix the no start then re-modify to pushbutton again.

The bottom line answer from electronics guys on pushbutton start.... Save yourself the headache and don't do it.

 

Thanks. Guys. GREAT instructions Mr. Onehundred80 !

KDW4Him Thanks. Great to know I don't need to buy any parts !

However....

I am at BEST a casual mechanic. Who am I kidding. I can't call myself a mechanic.
I am a guy who has worked on my own car and my girlfriends car.

I put a water pump in in my old 1982 Toyota Celica once. I put a power steering pump in my girls friend's 2002 Oldsmobile Alero.

Those are about the most complicated jobs I've ever done.
Both took me all day. And I had help on the power steering pump from another non-mechanic, her brother.
Both repairs were successful anyway.

If I were going to try this myself, I would definitely reuse the old assembly and disable the cylinder lock.

How hard is this job you describe ?

Could a guy like me do it ? I mean without wishing I hadn't tried to do it myself ?

PS: This is my only vehicle. It's my only ride. And I don't think I'll find a mechanic who is willing to disable the cylinder lock. One guy at least said no way.

 

This modification will not be noticeable in any way, the only thing that happens is that it will never stick again.
The new parts you buy will not have these parts in them so that tells you it is OK to do.

 

This just makes me glad when I bought my XF from CarMax I bought the 5 year warranty, does not cover clutch or brakes which are normal wear items, I will have to pay $100.00 deductible at any mech. or $50.00 at Car Max.

 

That's good. But I spoke a mechanic, not from the dealer.

He would charge about the same as the dealer $1000.00.
He admitted that he didn't want the job. Said it involved a lot and would be difficult for any mechanic. Said I'd have to take apart the steering column.
He said, if I tried to do the job myself, I'd likely wish I had not.
He recommended, take it to the dealer.

The PDF you sent does not look as complicated as this mechanical described.

I'm just asking you guys, do you think a guy like me who's done some auto repairs here and there could do this, or is it too outside the skill set of a guy like that.

Like I said before.
I put a power steering pump in an 2002 Olds Alero.
I put a water pump in a 1982 Toyota Celica.
That's all that comes to mind.
These being the more ambitious projects I've pulled off. I know...not so impressive.

The key is not jammed, so far.

The mechanic I talked to really advised against trying this myself.
But frankly, I don't think he looked at the PDF.

I realizes nobody me can know for sure how it might come out. It's ultimately my call.
Just need to know:

On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being hardest what's the difficulty rating on this job ?
I will be re-using the old ignition and disabling the cylinder lock.

 

I did this and I would rate it a 2 out of ten. I found it quite easy, just takes a little time.

 

I would never go to that so called mechanic again, he must be stupid. If he cannot do that job he is not even close to calling himself a mechanic.
It is at most a two hour job, at $500 an hour he rates as a brain surgeon.

 

After you have done one or two ( without having to drill the pin ), I'd say that anything over 1 hour means
you are drinking too much beer or answering too many texts.
Follow the PDF, it's a 3 on a 1-10 scale IF you don't lose any screws !

 

So anyone close to Mishawaka In. That knows anyone willing to do this on my wife's crossfire ? No problem yet but sounds like sooner or later will be a problem ! I don't think my back would let me try & finish this job !

 

LOL ! Laughing at the posts from ala_Xfire and Onehundred80.

I will give this a shot per the PDF and save the beers for after.

Thanks Guys ! You saved me at least a grand.

 

Do you store the car for the winter? Some of the Great Lakes Crossfire Owners Group does a maintenance day now and then. You are very close. Maybe the same for the Chi-town area group.

 

Yes I do store the car for winter . Still have it out right now . I was thinking that would be the best time to try this . If anyone that's done this before & is close by Mishawaka Indiana & would be willing to help me out that would be great . Like I said I don't think my back would let me do this job ! Hoping to have some good weather yet to keep driving the crossfire ! In Indiana ya never know but suppose to warm backup !

 

PM sent. PM sent.

 

I did the ignition repair myself today as per your PDF instructions, Mr. Onehundred80.

It took ME 6 hours, LOL ! Well there was a 1 hour lunch break in there..
A real mechanic, amatuer or not would not have take quite so long.

Anyway TOTAL SUCCESS ! The ignition no longer sticks at all, and I have my ride back.
Thanks Again !

All I need to do now is decide what to do with the $1066.00 the dealer wanted for the repair.

 

Divide the $1066 40% / 20% / 20% / 20% and send it to :

 

Check's in da mail !