On a whim I bought two 2005's at the Dallas auction. I knew these we going to be project cars and God and my wife know I need a new hobby.. My car are a coupe and convertible. Both have been sitting for some time I/m starting on the convertible first because sooner or later we will have nice weather.

Here is my issue, While sitting in storage or at auction the radio walked away, no Biggy, but they had a field day unplugging everything under the dash and totaling the ignition switch Thinking this was a recovered stolen car, Have everything plugged back in that I can see. The car starts and runs for a few seconds then dyes. Will eventually start and di the same thing over again. Using a recycled ignition switch and key also have ecm for the key. I have the original fob but no key. Am going to marry the key and the old fob to see if the car recognizes anything. would it do any good to hot wire the care to see if anything works and if it runs. any and all advise welcome

Thanks Mike

 

You cannot "hot wire" these cars, the ECU decides if the engine is allowed to continue running.
This is the immobilizer, better known as the SKREEM.
Search the forum for SKREEM after clearing your calendar for a few days of reading.

 

Hello lifecaster, welcome to the best car forum for your two toys! I know you can find all the information you need to get your two project cars running. There is a HUGE volume of information regarding the unique (putting it nicely) multicolored stepchild of Fiat/Benz. If you are good at searching, try to work one stumbling block issue at a time to keep from getting them mixed up. Help specific to all parts/systems are 'below' in separate forums on the main forum page. I invite you to utilize those as most people who help with issues scour those forums for helping other owners. Good luck with your two toys, and GOOD LUCK! There IS a wealth of information here, and search IS your friend (because many have asked your questions, and almost all of them have been solved). Look forward to seeing you below BUT one very important thing. IF you take your FOB apart, do not lose that transponder chip inside forward of the circuit board!


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Your srarting issue sounds like it could be a bad RCM. That would be a good place to start. Do a search on this site for RCM.

 

you need the matching key, ecu and skreem in order to get the car running. if they removed the dash and ingition pieces make sure the skjreem antenna ring is there, plugged in and not damaged.

 

and the skreem antenna is the black rubber ring that fits around where the key gets inserted into the ignition , there are two wires on it.
that need to be pluged in.