We picked up our 2004 XFire on Friday and immediately started having problems with the ignition switch sticking. I took it back to the dealer on Saturday as we do not want to get stranded. I called the dealer after reading on this forum and faxed "bobs" post to them. They seemed very pleased with this info and will let me know what they find. The 2004 we bought has 66,xxx miles on it but is VERY clean. My wife loves our new "toy" and I doubt I will get to drive it much at all. I will post again when I hear back from the dealer. HAPPY NEW YEAR to you all!!!

 

Welcome to the forum. I also have a 04 Coupe and the original owner said the only thing that ever went wrong with the car from day one when it was new was a ignition issue which resulted in getting it replaced.
Good luck and enjoy the car.

 

It's pretty bad when the dealer has to rely on a DIY post from the internet, isn't it? Good luck and let us know how it turns out. Mine's still a little sticky and starting to annoy me to the point where I'm ready to start tearing the dash apart.

If your dealer replaces any parts, I'd love to to see the list of what they replaced. Thanks.

 

Bob,
They called me yesterday and told me they had put some lock lube on it and it was working better. When my wife and I got there it was not any better. Just a mess from the lock lube. I left the car there and told them I would not accept it with their "quick fix". I will let you know what they do next!
Thanks for your reply!!
Steven

 

We got our car back yesterday. The dealer removed the tumbler assembly and lubed the cylinder. It seems somewhat better but still sticks. Any other feedback from forum members? I love the car but am not at all happy with this ignition switch problem. The dealer says "try it for a while".

 

That's a band-aid, but it doesn't fix the root cause of the problem. I pulled my tumbler and lubed the hell out of everything I could reach as well. Its ridiculously easy to pull the tumbler (see my other thread on the subject) which is why the dealer did that. You have to start pulling the dash apart to get at the locking mechanism, which is something the mechanic was not comfortable with doing.

It definitely made things a little better but it still sticks.

 

Sadly, I had the experience of the lock actually locking up! GRRRRR!!
I had moved away from my original dealer (Chapman in Vegas-- GREAT Dealer!!!!), so had the car taken to a Phoenix Chrysler Dealership (Bill Luke--TERRIBLE!!!!).. got the " I got bad news..." call from the service guy.2 weeks delivery time from Germany and $950 later it was fixed. No, my"Bumper to Bumper" warranty didn't cover it (?!?!), but I was assured that at least NOW the dealer would replace it for free if it broke again...
Not really sure if the dealer totally screwed me on this or not, but that and a botched oil change says I won't be back there again.

 

James, do you happen to have your copy of the repair order?? I am curious as to what parts they actually replaced and if this totally "cured" the problem.
Thanks,
Steven

 

I was at the dealership yesterday and there was another Xfire in for service. I asked the service manager to check out the ignition on both and he finally admitted there was something wrong with mine. He said he was going to call Chrysler this morning and see if there has been anything reported as a "fix" for this problem. I will post when I hear back from him.

 

Had mine to the dealership 3 times for this problem. Chaged switch ok for a week. lubricated the locking mech,ok for a week. Finaly they changed the complet locking system. NO problems in the last year and a half. No cost all coverd it seems there have been a lot of problems with this item ,just check with your mercedes friends . Lorne

 

I got a call from the service manager this afternoon. He called Chrysler and they told him to replace the switch and tumble assembly and it was covered under the extended warranty I purchased. I'll keep you all informend on this!! THANK YOU ALL!!!

 

The dealer replaced the whole locking assembly and it as smooth as silk. The holdup was getting the parts. The extra key I ordered still have not come in but the ignition switch works great. The dealer did pay for all the expense since we had purchased the car just last month. Thanks to all on this forum for giving me great advise!!

 

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!!!!!!!!!

 

It is not easy. Get a factory manual, let me say that again, get a factory manual, and do it by the numbers. If you get out of sequence during the removal process, the key assembly will lock you out and you will need to use a dye grinder to remove hardened security pin (that is not easy to reach) to get the lock assembly out. The ignition switch is a separate part from the locking mechanism. I have found the problem not to be in the key tumblers but a worn cam that removes, or pulls out, the steering post locking pin which is also a separate part. I fixed my car by just removing the steering post lock pin. You will still need to remove the entire assembly to remove the aforementioned part/s. I needed no replacement parts and the key works as advertised from the factory and the problem cannot resurface.
Good luck.

 

i just replaced mine yesterday, very easy, it cost 220 and the part has to be shipped from germany, when you order give your vin number it comes with a copy of your key in the tumbler,, about an hour to put in, not fix it before you cant turn the key at all i put it off and had to have my car towed from the car wash on a weekend.

 

hmmm about 2-3 months ago my cousin had to have his xf towed away after hours of jiggling the key back and forth, numerous shots of grease, and tilting the steering wheel...bad thing was that he had a problem with the ignition sticking when it was still under warranty but did not think that the problem could get worse...he got it seriviced at a chrysler for around $700 i think?.?. but it was parked outside of the dealership for about 2 weeks...

they should start thinkink about doing a recall

 

It appears that my 2006 Crossfire is starting to experience the sticking ignition switch. When it happens, I try moving the steering wheel to make sure that there isn't any pressure on the locking pin. When I finally get the key to turn, it feels like the problem is indeed with the mechanism that actually locks the steering column and not with the switch. I haven't had anything done to correct the problem yet, but I will keep this discussion in my back pocket should the problem get worse.

 

has anyone attempted to replace the mechanism with those awesome new mercedes ignitions?

 

When I bought mine (used) the ignition was already in bad shape. Lasted about a week before I totally went out. Tech said the ignition was really worn out because the problem had been present for some time. Since I had no warranty I was out about $750. It can be a very expensive problem if not taken care of right away.