I so wish this could happen. I wish jay Leno could get behind this. He has lots oif connections . I wish I knew how to contact him. He is interested in saving cars of all types . Does anyone know how to contact him on this Perhaps Chip Foose. I wish I had connections !!!

 

How fustrating . All Crossfires are destined to the GREAT SALVAGE YARD IN THE SKY !!!!! WHEN THEY DIE ONE BY ONE. Perhaps take a 2011 Mustang complete harness and make the Crossfire a Ford mustand that is easier to work on and use the 3.7 or 5.0 engine or convert to all electric . this may be our only way of saving this car from oblivion !! just a thought !!

 

I think you are panicking unduly, if you are that worried sell the car and buy a Honda or something similar.
You have had over 30 posts on this or the key issue since July and a total of 41 since July 2010.

 

I was looking through youtube and saw a site called Mercedes key repair I asked him if he can or knows of someone or do they can make a bypass to this Skreem system so we can get rid of this problem all together and not have it cost as much as the car itself and for the ones who want to leave their car original can do as they please just to give some of us options who don't want to spend their whole net worth on a car that can leave us stranded and I will decide if I want to sell the car at my time. Thats my decision why is there always a snappy slurry comment coming from this particular person always got something smart to say when I post something ?????????? If ya don't like what I gotta say just move on or ignore it like when you made nasty comment about what I paid for the car and how many miles was on it and how unloved it was... WHY are ya making decisions for me you don't care about me !!!. Again thought this was a non judgemental forum perhaps you should be called on the carpet when ya got some slurry comment you make towards me. I'm bout to leave this forum just because of this. if ya don't like what I gotta say so what , this is my last post dude !!!! and how many post have you made 10,000.

 

These were my comments on your cars purchase and initial problems I think those comments should be taken as positive assistance.
CLICK
and CLICK

 

Dude I am done !! I don't need to be schooled on what you think is best . I was just trying to belong to something I enjoyed you made it a chore .I guess I don't belong here !!! I was thinking to remove me from your forum. I will find other ways to enjoy my car . If you are gonna judge me and make slurry comments Its time for me to leave I will find other ways because although I have learned a lot form this forum I will just read the posts with out commenting or helping find ways of fixing a problem I thought as a whole group we could achieve ways to a solution but guess my input in not needed here. I don't need this school boy bulling !! been there done that... I wish you all well !!!

 

That is a two-way street.
If you don't like what he says, don't respond - that technique serves me well on Fakebook.

 

Thanks Pizzaman for advice but I think I'm done with this site .I have learned a lot from your site but best I not say anything or do any research and stuff I find out perhaps keep to myself because it seems anything I gotta say or experience ain't worth saying and if I made comments on any thread seems I gotta be reprimanded . He seems to always got something smart to say in reference to what I gotta say and why . I should bow out perhaps say something to him as well. Tired of this high school bullying crap . So its best perhaps I just read the comments and can you remove me as a member ?? and I can just read the comments and not respond because being a member I may be tempted to make a comment to someone I could help but I guess this is a judgemental forum . I wish you all the best with your site . can you remove me ??
Thanks

 

So I've purchased a third Crossfire. It's a 2006 red coupe with 4,700 miles on it. I'm not overly concerned about the SKREEM situation. I'm not happy the cost has gone up from $250, and I'm not currently impacted by the October delay in replacements. I sympathize with those that are. The car came with two keys which these days is a big plus. Certainly if I was down to a single key I would most likely remove the security chip from it, and attach it to the SKREEM antenna ring putting it under the dash. I can then have multiple spares keys cut as needed.

We have positive confirmation that swapping a used PCM/ECM swap, SKREEM, and key security chips can get a car going. Of course the VIN number would be incorrect and an issue for some locations with car inspections requiring computer hook ups. That would impact me where I live, so I would sell the car to someone where that would not be a concern and buy another Crossfire.

There is also some third parties like S.O.S. that will do chip swap repairs.

BTW, I'm still an optimistic believer based on the Chrysler service manual, Chrysler scanner menu options, and related document, that a virgin SKREEM kit swap is possible like is done with the SLK320 SKREEM. I know there are others that strongly don't believe that, and I don't want to get in a further argument about that, as it would not add value. I am considering doing an experiment with my DRB III, and the (virgin) SKREEM kit I purchased, to verify it works. I'm hesitant to do it to unnecessarily using a $500 kit to prove it. However, it would help everyone on the forum.

 

Thank you toolman to wish to help those of us With these issues. you are most kind thank you

 

UPDATE: I've had two telephone conversations with the gent at FCA who was tasked to look into the SKREEM situation. This seems to be moving at a glacial pace, but I will keep trying. If this doesn't result in a real solution real soon, I'll be posting the contact info with a suggested query for Crossfire owners to email in. Maybe we need to form an entity to lobby for an immediate remedy. I was watching the news on TV tonight and saw on one story about the health risk of e-cigarettes that there is actually an American Vaping Association! Maybe we need one - Citizens and Crossfire Owners for Clean Air and Accessible Parts? The Association of Disgruntles Car Buyers? Vets for Parts Justive? Suggestions? I'll be Treasurer. When may I expect your dues check? Maybe we need a mascot? I suggest a raccoon - I can see him crawling in behind the dashboard to install those readily available and moderately priced SKREEM modules.

Here's what I was writing to him today when he called.

"I’m not one that thinks the sins of the fathers should be visited on the sons. When the so-called “marriage of equals” between Daimler Benz and Chrysler was consummated and it was decided to co-build a “Halo” car (the Crossfire) MB contributed what amounted to some old parts, system and architecture platforms that they had going out of service - parts like this problem prone ignition system, the recirculating ball steering system, etc. So I am not holding Chrysler responsible for going along with MBs “do it on the cheap” philosophy. Still it does tend to inflame some passions when they sound-off with that “The Best or Nothing” slogan. Amazingly, it would seem they could sell wheelbarrows if they had that silver star on them. (I’m also not taken by the Chrysler guy saying “Here when you need us.” I’ve been trying to get this solved since last November and no help so far.


We, loyal Chrysler customers, are getting the short end of the stick by the present administration at FCA ignoring our need for these damn “vehicle specific” parts. Without availability, we are forced to scrounge around to repair the flaws that were built into the cars that were sold to us by Chrysler dealers. They won’t help so we have to hustle around to correct these situations that, any time the cars choose to fail to start or lock up, can render us on foot and looking for tow truck. FCA needs to step up and help us. Chrysler dealers are practically worthless in regards to these cars. They don’t understand them, don’t have and sometimes can’t get the parts, and don’t even have the computer, card and pigtail they need to contact the cars computer. There are a lot of Crossfire owners that are stuck with various problems. Mine is just getting a properly programmed SKREEM module.


In October I have to renew my registration, emissions test and pay for continuing insurance on this car. I keep doing that for a car I can’t use because of Chrysler’s failure to provide parts. If FCA will step up and fix this car, I’ll temporarily donate it for the purpose of your tech guys working out a BYPASS solution. Authorize shipment of the car from here to your Tech Center in Auburn Hills and they can have it to play with for a couple months. They should concentrate on the SKREEM, keys and fobs and the damn ignition locks that sometimes grab the key and won’t let go. Maybe they could come up with an A-B-C service bulletin to send to dealerships if/when they are approached by customers. If you send me just the properly coded SKREEM module I think I can have a local mechanic help me to install it, but MOPAR needs to get these and stock them for others. The Crossfire Forum has some very experienced members.


This INDIVIDUAL part is/was standard for the MB SLK that the Crossfire is based upon. It was produced by SIEMENS as part # 1708201826, and is still produced and stocker in the MB parts system, but unfortunately because the part is “theft related” and our Crossfires have Chrysler VIN numbers which the MB computerized parts system will not recognize, they cannot sell them to us. Anyway, the unit that will work in my car must have a special code inserted, a code that only Chrysler has. Let’s get this done."


Any Forum members near Auburn Hills?

 

I just sent this on to FCA.

Here’s a post from earlier this year from the Crossfire Forum…


Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: FL
Age: 81
Posts: 15


skreem module
FYI, I have an account with Mercedes and spoke to their parts department about getting a module from them. They have 600 in inventory, available, but will not sell them except for a Mercedes. The list price is $270.00 for the module. The local Chrysler Dealer told me they are working on a supplier,hopefully by Oct. 15th but do not expect them to be available before December. Chrysler list is $577.00.
I would also like to have a spare one just in case.




Why the hell can’t someone at Chrysler contact MB and “borrow” a supply of these SKREEM modules and get them into the MOPAR system? Or maybe there are some overseas in your parts system. We’re sitting with cars that just stopped and can’t be used. Any Crossfire anywhere can have a SKREEM go out at any time and have no way to fix it. Chrysler is screwing us and we are suffering real damages. Why is that? We are loyal customers who stepped up and bought the cars Chrysler conceived, designed, built and sold through your dealer network, but now, when we need this part, FCA won’t help.


Leadership has to come from the top.


DS

 

On the bright side, as Valk writes in his sticky topics, the troubles found in many of these threads aren't necessarily common. In fact, he has owned three of these two seaters and after 110,000 miles hasn't experienced the problem. This is encouraging but I've been doing computers since the late 70s. There's a phenomena called migration; the metallic embedded in the silicon (integrated circuits) will eventually lose polarity and the chip will one day cease to awaken or produce improper micro voltage. This isn't an "if" but a "when". Nonetheless, I have two Z28s (95,01) and the ECU is still working on both as of last monday so maybe we'll get lucky.

 

I surely don't want anyone to have this SKREEM problem. I have no idea what it is in these modules that ceases to function. With most problems with cars, when something happens you have to fix it, and that usually needs you need a new, used or rebuilt part. The SKREEM situation was able to be corrected when Chrysler kept the parts in their system. Now, with non available, and the coding requirement for a replacement, there currently exist NO solutions. If the SKREEM goes out, the car is suddenly useless. Chrysler claims to be unable to supply the properly coded part, and they were the only source. No substitute. It dies, you're dead. Call a tow truck. Until this situation is corrected, I can't trust traveling anywhere in mine. Good luck to all of you. I'm trying to get them to correct this situation or work out a bypass solution. Either/or. They have to fix this. They are the only ones that can.

 

I believe it should be do-able as well, that's why Mopar sold the kits. Toolman, would you need the whole car present to do the programming? Or just the ECM and key/SKREEM kit? Reason I ask is there is a used XF for sale cheap out west that wont start...probably needs a SKREEM.

 

Wait, I'm confused. As the thread starter you posted that your "garaged car" SKREEM had failed but here you remark that you "can't trust traveling anywhere in mine." If the immobilizer has failed you wouldn't be driving it all, right?? Just trying to understand the situation..

 

I would need to have the car. Both the DRB 3, and Starscan, work through the OBDII interface on the car.

 

The car was pulled into the garage October, 2018. I had first operation the 26th, came home Nov. 4, attempted to start it and no go - hasn't gone anywhere since then. Typical SKREEM symptoms. So even if Needswings gets some SKREEM units in October as was originally stated as an ETA, I will have it sitting for about a year all because of this damn part unavailability. I have no idea why the SKREEM failed - no one else seems to know why either. But now I know that, with that system in place, if another one failed I'd be back in the same situation. I've built and worked on and owned lots of types of cars - built hot rods ground up, raced flat track cycles, so I'm aware of a lot about cars and maintaining and fixing them and that there is usually more than one way to skin a cat. But this system's complexity coupled to unavailability and vehicle specificity leaves me helpless to fix it or eve contemplate working around it.

I don't even like driving without a spare tire - "just in case." But if I did get a blowout in the middle of nowhere, I could get a tow to a tire dealer - or look for a wheel if needed online. But this unit - doesn't exist, can't start without it - I'm screwed. Best thing I can try and do is get FCA to stock these units and hopefully have them available "coded" through dealers, Needswings, etc. (Hopefully get them to price them competitively with MB too.) When something malfunctions I like to understand why. I admit to knowing absolutely nothing about what a SKREEM does, how it operates, etc. If knowledge is power, I'm powerless. Makes one want to SKREEM.

 

I just sold my 1956 Nash Ambassador Custom - reducing the herd. It was one of the few built with the Packard 352 Jetfire V-8. I was able to find and utilize both Packard and even Nash parts. I regularly get parts for my Sebring, from many sources. But the Crossfire seems to have been dumped when the marriage of equals turned sour and the formerly happy couple divorced. FCA assuredly feels little obligation to atone for MB's systems, but Chrysler division and/or MOPAR has to be brought into rectifying these problems. A machinist can make a part of a rare classic - some people are even using 3D printers to create molds, parts, etc. Has anyone ever taken a SKREEM unit apart and discovered what it consists of and/or why it failed. Could they be cloned?

 

I'm not even sure if it is the box or ring that fails. It could be something relatively simple? If I replaced one I would surely take the old one apart to see whats inside. When something fails I always try to figure out why.