Hi. I'm new here. I just bought a 2004 Crossfire on a whim (it was cheap LOL) - it doesn't run because the ignition is frozen. According to the previous owner, he drove it to school, parked it, and when he came out, the ignition wouldn't work. I bought it from the school parking lot and had it towed home. The key moves back and forth, loosely, but it doesn't engage anything. The steering column is locked, so I'm considering buying a new ignition - which I see in the $500 to $700 price range. Has anyone else had a similar experience - and if so, what was the solution? TIA

 

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...s-repairs.html
Scroll down to Engine - Electrical and look over the STICKY KEY FIX.

 

snooky
Since you live in Maryland, there is an active group of Crossfire owners in Maryland (Click on the attached link) for numerous years and members of the Crossfire Forum. I'm sure one of the members will help you with the ignition problem, and it won't cost you $500-$700 dollars and take about 2 hours to do the repairs and get the car back on the road. One of the leaders is PNA (Paul).
Good Luck...
Dennis
DTMenace


Crossfires of Maryland (COM) - CrossfireForum - The Chrysler Crossfire and SRT6 Resource

 

I watched a video on YouTube showing "How to Fix Your Sticky Key . . ." Is this the same process that I should follow?

 

BTW, it looks like the other members are closer to the DC / Baltimore area. I'm about 150 miles away in Cumberland. Thanks though.

 

Impossible to say, there are millions of Youtube videos.
Provide a URL link to the one you watched and we can tell you.

 

snooky
Click on the link below, it's the latest version of the "Sticky Key Fix" PDF file.
Good Luck, takes about 2 hours if you follow the instructions. Read it 1st and then a second time before you tackle this task...
Dennis
DTMenace
Sticky_ignition_key_fix_v6 (3).pdf

 

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Ditto ditto ditto, you can fix this for pennies (almost). Many have done it, many more will. I know you can do it! Good luck! OH, Welcome! Check out the document collection for all the help .pdf files and the owner's manual and service manuals.


.

 

I watched several videos and followed the instructions. I got to the part where you push a pin next to the steering column, but mine doesn't look like the one in the video. Mine has a collar attached to the steering column that has what appears to be a push button, but it doesn't budge. I have a couple of photos to show what I am referring to. I don't know if my steering column and ignition were replace at one time, or if I'm missing something. If anyone has any suggestions, I'm all ears. TIA

 

You press in on that pin and then you can take the assembly out and work on it on the bench.

If the ignition is locked up and that pin is frozen and wont push in, you must drill it out enough to get the assembly out of there. Iv'e never had to do that, and once was asked to do it for a lady - there is not enough money to get me to take that job.
So I always say: Fix this before it locks up, cause drilling the pin is just a PITA.

Since you had not chance to fix it first, you are stuck. So, get some nice new drill bits and get to drilling that pin, just enough that you can pull the entire assembly out of there. It's not as bad as I make it sound, but I"m 62 and cannot get in there and deal with it anymore.

 

Well, I got the pin to move, and took out the ignition, and did everything by the book. I then hooked everything back up and tried to start it. It cranked, the lights came on, the wipers came on, but it didn't start. Tried it again, and got nothing. No crank, nothing. Any ideas or suggestions? TIA.

 

Did you get the security ring back on properly and are you sure it is plugged into the screem behind the instrument cluster? The ring reads the rfid chip in the key fob and sends a code to the screem telling it, it is okay to start.

 

Thanks to everyone who responded. I got the Crossfire back together properly and it fired right up. it runs great! Now, the only things it needs now to be complete is the front passenger side fog light is missing, and the cup holder is not working. It sits inside its compartment, but it lifts right out - there's a spring lying loose in the compartment as well. Is there a trick to getting it back in its place? Is there a junkyard/graveyard of old Crossfires anywhere where I could get that light, without paying a $225 Ebay price? TIA

 

the cup holder is useless even when it works. I bought a 3D printed cubby that replaces it. Then you at least have a place to stick a few things. I think there is a thread on this forum describing the replacement process.

 

https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...s-repairs.html

 

an amazing list of super useful info.

 

Pizzaguy,
Have you heard of anyone who has replaced the key ignition with a push button start. Is it possible??

 

It is possible, many have done it and three have come to me to get it undone. I restored two cars to factory and refused to help with the third one - as it was such an abortion that I wanted nothing to do with it.
Why did they want it taken out? Because no starts are hard enough to troubleshoot with these cars, adding another layer to it by putting in such a mod does not help.

I've given up trying to talk people out of this mod, if you want your "super cool push button start", fine, do it. Just keep in mind:

1) No-starts with a Crossfire can be hard to diagnose, many come to the forum for help. Those of us who help have NO CLUE what was done to your car and our advice will not include knowledge of that modification. You are largely on your own.
2) Given number 1, I'd suggest you only add the mod IF you can do the mod yourself AND troubleshoot any issues yourself OR if you have a local person you trust to install it and be there for you when no-starts occur.
3) A push button start defeats the locked steering - making stealing the car way easier.
4) Adding push button start DOES NOT eliminate the role of the SKREEM in starting the car, you simply hide the black ring around the ignition switch behind the panel and tape an RFID chip in the key to it, so the SKREEM will authorize a start. If your SKREEM fails, the push button start kit will not enable the car to start.
4A) One of the tuners who does SKREEM repairs can put in a push button start AND SKREEM start-enable bypass, you could go that route to get around a SKREEM failure - but why not save the money and just have them do the bypass?

 

Thanks for taking time to respond to our questions!
You are the “Go to guy” for us Crossfire owners!
Even with the electrical problems I am having, I love this car!! Wish you lived in Minnesota!!!!!

 

When I retire, I will move back to southern Michigan to be around my family. Michigan is bad enough, I need be NO farther north (altho I think Wisconsin gets more sunshine in winter, which would be nice.)