I think I will just keep my key and manually do it for now. The crossfire will be a classic and will demand parts and keys. I found a guy here in texas that has 15 crossfires he is parting out

 

The keys are cut using a regular key cutter that uses a small end mill type of cutter. You can see the marks on a little used key.
Dealers say laser because it sounds hi-tech or they do not know how they are made.

 

You mean you cannot program your fob.
Looking the same does not mean they are the same.

 

Everyone it's a crap shoot on keys I'm just saying mine won't program. I drive my crossfire everyday and love it. I've wanted one for years and bought a cash car for 4k. I'm just trying to restore it to the great car it is. I've spent 2k on motor work and breaks. I spen money on buying windshield trim and other things. Just wanted my fob to work

 

From what you said all along, you do not have a FOB circuit board for a crossfire (the old one was inoperative so you got one from a MB). Correct me if I am wrong on this (members) but isn't all the crossfire keys circuit boards the same (allowing the lock/unlock yadda yadda)? We all agree the chip is what starts the car, that isn't the issue. He (seems to me) NEEDS (a crossfire working FOB circuit board) for the locking/unlocking/alarm function. Seems the topic has gotten WAY off?


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You can't program a other keyfob to a existing skreem module. If you have at least one working key (the remote part) it is possible to make a new one with this key, if not it is possible but not so easy, the processor from the skreem has to be desoldered, read out and resoldered.
A cheap solution for you were my Skreemulator Test Kit Rudy will program your ECU so that it works with the Skreemulator. Then you don't need a original Crossfire Key any more. Of course you need a keyblade for the ignigion switch and the door lock but the included RF Systems has a remote controll to open/close the car and deactivates the immobilizer over my Skreemulator.
If you been unsettle because of the beta status, I haven't heard of any problems from the existing beta testers and you can also wait for the final version. But this takes almost one or two month to be ready.

 

Viper, everyone else recommending any other repairs, I believe he is only looking for a crossfire FOB circuit board! His key starts the car (chip talks to SKREEM) and starts/runs the car. The only thing he needs is the lock/unlock function in the FOB circuit board. Again, I mentioned, I believe any crossfire FOB circuit board (2004 - 2008) when placed into the FOB body (undamaged) will allow the lock/unlock (providing the rest of the system for lock/unlock works).

Sdawson789, Many who take their crossfire to a dealership end up spending huge amounts of $ and time without success. Peruse the forum for the horror stories, its your $ but if you don't wish to throw it away then review the topics about never taking the car to a dealership.


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Sorry that's not right. The RF-Part (the circuit board) of the Keyfob has stored a roling code who have to match to the code of the transponder. So only change the circuit board will not work. If you know in what chip the code is stored you can desolder it from the old circuit board and resolder it to the new board.
I don't know where this code is stored.

 

Found the attached website that discusses using a pre-owned key fob to get a new key for the Crossfire. May clear up some questions; may add to the confusion. Finding a locksmith that could sync the key to another car might be the buggest hurdle.

 

Ok, that is really confusing... What du the sell? a used key that isn't programmed for over $200??? And you have to find a locksmith that program this key, I haven't heard that a locksmith can program a used key and used transponder to a other car. And at least you have a useless key for over $200. For that price you get a new key from SOS Diagnostic.

 

I agree, this is a pig in a poke.

 

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IF you have the chip from the FOB that starts the car, you can program a WORKING crossfire FOB circuit board that replaces a broken crossfire circuit board to lock/unlock. Too many older posts here verified that. Many posts were made/commented on (that) was misleading (for a variety of reasons I will not get into). The CHIP in the head of the original key for the car is already sync'ed to that car (OP's FOB started/ran the car). The FOB inner CIRCUIT BOARD for that damaged keyfob (that OP said starts the car), will program to open/lock when the damaged circuit board is replaced with a working crossfire keyfob circuit board. The OP said he tried to replace the damaged circuit board (again, that started/ran the car) with a MB lookalike circuit board. He moved the working little chip in the head of HIS WORKING FOB into that MB FOB but he still could not program it with the forum and owners manual instructions. I do not doubt that circuit board didn't work for him because it was not a working crossfire FOB circuit board (there may be compatible ones, I would not doubt that). Finally, IF the MB board the OP used was damaged, it makes sense that would be why it didn't work. I know the little LED on the FOB only indicates the batteries are serviceable (and correctly installed), the standalone testers at stores (wideband receiver) only tell if it is transmitting beyond the FOB

There is a process that is taken that must be followed. Any step from start to finish will interrupt the outcome!

I believe too many members are forgetting this FOB starts and runs the car.


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Like I said, may add to the confusion. What was interesting was the statement by the website that the boards in the Crossfire & M-B key fobs were identical. That came up in this thread discusson whether this was a fact. Still may not be factual, but seems to make sense to me. Why would M-B go to the trouble to make the boards different when the functionalitty was identical in the car models? Would I buy a used key fob from this vendor? Probably not w/o researching & verifying that an automotive locksmith in my area had the capability to re-program the Crossfire key fob. Seems I recall that the transmitting frequency between the Chrysler & M-B key fobs is different. That being the case, does that make the boards different? Or is it just the RFID chip programming?

Like GraphiteGhost stated, this owner does have a key that starts the car and manually unlocks the door. Similar to a valet key or transponder key. Any other functionality is only a perk. If an owner wants the full functionality of the key fob, there are reputable vendors we know that can provide these at a cost. Enough said.

 

The kefobs from a MB SLK R170 after facelift are identical with them from the Crossfire. So technical it works with the Crossfire, but it has to be programmed or the right chip has to be replaced.

 

Makes sense to me.

 

Is that kefobs or kebabs? That would be diversification. 😜

 

shish .......

 

OP post 4 ( I used the internals of an old Mercedes key but.... ). Doesn't say a 171, doesn't say where he got it from. NO guessing if it has the same internals since he will be getting a used crossfire circuit board... If and when he gets a used CROSSFIRE FOB and swaps the circuit board (and the circuit board isn't damaged 'tested with batteries and the LED lights up'), he WILL have a FOB that does the lock/unlock. I don't have an one to send him and there is no reason to replace the SKREEM or buy a new key! IF after he gets a working used FOB and installs HIS 'little chip in the head of the FOB' (that allows the handshake for starting), he will have invested some time and whatever the USED crossfire FOB price was. A HELLUVA lot cheaper than any bypass, soldering of a chip, or new replacement key. There is enough misinformation even with this thread so I am now out of it. Good luck OP!


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Thanks for all of this exchange on this confusing, but important topic. I have two fobs. Neither of them opens the doors remotely or locks them. Both fit in the ignition and turn, but only one starts the car. I believe throughout all of this I have no way to lock the trunk as there is no trunk key. Am I screwed or does Needswings's skreem refurbishment and key rework service prove me (a costly) solution?

 

Can you lock and unlock the doors using the buttons on the center consul? Have you done the reprogramming procedure for the key fob after ensuring batteries were good? I am not an expert by any means, but if you have a key that starts the car you shouldn’t have to do anything with the SKREM. rather than the remotes themselves. Even if the second key doesn’t start the car you should be able two pair it to use the keyless entry function if it had previously been paired with that car . It is unusual that you would not be able two pair and use either of the keys. Perhaps the signal is being received but the air pump or whatever in the trunk area isn’t getting the pressure or signal to the lock mechanisms. If the console button works you could rule that out. It is odd that the second key would not start the car unless the transponder chip was removed or lost when changing the shell. I am wondering if the locking and unlocking functions could be related to the body controlModule