Hey folks... I'm thinking of having an after market alarm / remote start installed in my '06 limited. I have 2 factory key fobs which work, but they are too large to fit into the rfid bypass box. I live in dallas, and was told by a local chrysler dealer that valet-type keys were not released for the crossfire. I have searched the forum and these keys are mentioned in a couple of threads in a way that make me believe that atleast a few people have found them. I've read about flat keys that were installed in newly purchased tumblers (one of the members bought a glove box tumbler that had a flat key with it...) but it was simply a mechanical key with no rfid chip in it.

Any help would be much appreciated. I have to say, I love the car, but it's a little strange driving a "hybrid" that neither chrysler or mercedes-benz service people fully understand.

 

I went through a pretty big hassle last year when I had my Python 1 Mile range remote start/alarm installed, as well. I ended up contacting Mercedes, as they are the ones that make our keys, and they stated that they can't/won't cut a valet key with the rfid chip in it, so I had to end up just going with another standard key fob.

What I ended up doing was purchasing an extra ignition sensor ring from Chrysler and permanently mounting the extra key fob inside of the sensor ring. I then used this setup to provide the ignition signal, as it was guaranteed to work.

I've had remote start in every vehicle I've ever owned (well, since I was out of high school, at least...) and the Crossfire was by far the most difficult to get to work.

It was bad enough getting the remote start portion itself to work, but it was another issue altogether to get the door lock/unlock function to work and to override the vehicle's stock alarm system.

Unless you have an in depth working knowledge of MB wiring setups, I would highly recommend taking it to a reputable install shop that does, or finding someone who can help.

Just my .02

 

Ouch. Man that sounds bad!

The absence of a flat key will make it tougher, but I spoke to a tech at Car Toys here in dallas that said sometimes they can remove the chip from a factory key fob and mount it inside the bypass box.

I guess I've got some control issues because it is REALLY hard for me to hand over my keys to an installer. If anyone knows of a technician in the dallas area who is the absolute best at what they do, please let me know.

 

I had the sticky key problem this summer and desaler ordered a new cy;inder that came with a flat key. I guess they had to match up vin # etc cause both my stock keys still are functining and the new flat one works the door and fits/turns ingnition

 

i'm just thinking out lound but is there a way to just replace the whole MB ingition switch with something else? like nissan or toyota with the push button start??

 

nissan and toyota still have the same transponder setup so unfortunately no luck switching. but on the bright side the transponder chip can easily be removed from the key fob..but unless you have a really good alarm installer.... I wouldn't suggest taking it to best buy or any big box stores because the techs are really limited to what they have access to and overall knowledge.. some don't even have to be certified...do thorough research of local shops in your area before entrusting your keys to anyone! because re-chipping and programming a key fob isn't cheap! just my .02 too..


although..a touch screen activation push button start...you may have something.....

 

When they installed my Clifford 50.7x unit (Viper 5901, Python 991, same exact units all made by Directed Electronics [DEI]), I took apart the RFID bypass module (Directed 556UW) and noticed the key fob wouldn't fit in the box. With my knowledge I knew I could easily take apart the key fob & put the transponder in the box, but I made no mention of this to the installer & it was my sort of test to them.

I received no phone call from the installer except to tell me that my car was ready. When I arrived, he gave me my key back and said that it wouldn't fit in the box (as I knew) and he took the RFID chip out so that the key was essentially useless. I knew then he knew what he was doing - having to take apart the key without my help, etc. especially on our cars.

I too looked for a valet key for my car with no luck. You could purchase an extra fob, disassemble the fob and take the transponder out and put it in the bypass box. It would be an extra $150 or so.


Curious what starter/alarm are you looking at, and what did they quote you to install? I bought the Clifford 50.7x online for $200, bypass for $17, and the actual labor was $196. Total of $413, not bad.