He says take them to a dealer for programming, "RIGHT".

 

If Josh can clone them thenthst would be the route to take.
Can Josh clone them though as all has been quiet on that subject.

 

I just wrote the guy on ebay he said it fits my car. I asked the 3 questions he was writing right back each time then when I asked the questions he has not replied so could be he is researching it or he don't know or he is checking out the forum who knows

 

Sorry for the typos. To clarify, and this is from memory - I didn't take notes. The gent I spoke with at FCA Lock and Key department, who told me about the 600 on his list, told me that the code that goes into the module so that it will operate in a specific vehicle IS NOT THE VIN. It is another code that has been assigned to that particular VIN. He said something like "if you try to do the end run with using the three lock "kit" and module/antenna - effectively changing the code you will be operating with to something else than what the main computer operates on now, you "may" or "probably will" fry that computer. I think he said "you better have a new "blank" main computer to go with it.

Interesting that this kit, for about $450., contains, module, antenna, two new fob keys and the door, ignition and glovebox key. Chrysler, it seems, wants about $1500 for all that, so where do these come from and what do they really cost if, for example, you buy them from MB?

I may be stating this incorrectly, or FCA may have an interest in owners not doing this, or ??? I definitely asked him again if it would work and he said something like "it will just cause more problems. I think that MB had this system in earlier SLKs and other vehicles that they made, so the codes and the system for getting the modules and keys coded was all in house, and when the companies joined, Chrysler complicated an already byzantine procedure by having their own codes that MB didn't have access to.

Maybe. Honestly, I have no familiarity with how these things work, so don't rely on what I say about this subject. OK?

 

Wolf, the trilogy (MB, Fiat, and Chrysler) do not seem to want to cooperate for whatever reason. Besides all the other ppl you have contacted is there any avenue like the FTC or a lawyer on your list of contacts? I don't know if this issue would be a type of class action due to this possible '****-ing' contest' between those three companies, but seems to me if they cannot supply parts (at any price) then Fiat (the current owner of Chrysler and the name on the badge) should be the primary and Chrysler/MB included in a class action. Those parts suppliers who demand a non-refundable price with no guarantee it will ever come, IMHO, are ripping ppl off. Sounds to me they may be calculating the cost of delivering SKREEMs vs the cost of actually supplying them (bean counters, if they don't make money the price you paid may have been used in a decision to deny supplying them). Dragging this on (to them) may be a way of just wearing ppl out.

I hope you succeed, sticking it to the man seems to be the only way to get the man to do the right thing. Dammit, either supply a bypass or provide the parts to fix the car. It isn't unreasonable. Hard, but the cost (reasonable, not trashing the car because they can't get their act together) should not be born by owners.


.

 

Wolf, thank you for the additional information.

We have seen many times that dealerships don't know what they are doing with Crossfires. I could be wrong, but with many years in large corporations, I do believe the guy you are talking with is an "administrative" type submitting codes and vehicle information to process the SKREEM orders. With that he does have direct inside knowledge to that process. Assuming that, I suspect his technical knowledge may actually be limited.

I had another thought on the number of SKREEMs quoted as being required. It is a shocking number and we are not seeing it reflected on the forum. Part of the order demand may just be owners buying spares to protect their investments. I bought a spare SKREEM a couple of years ago from N.W. for my SE before the price went up.

 

I cant bee too English...ajaust a link ,YOUTUBE,......

Chryslwe Crossfire (Mercedes SLK R170) Skreem Prozessor Löten solder

 

Here's a link to the You Tube video referenced. The caption on the video says "Here I show you my technique to solder the processor of the Skreem module again."

 

Very interesting. I recall another post where the processor chip was transferred, which required soldering, to another SKREEM and it worked. This seems to indicate there is a problem with some processor chip solder connections to the SKREEM PCB just like we have with RCM's? WOW that would be very promising news.

KeithTexas many thanks!

 

I have often mentioned here that the cause may be a fault other than the programmed chip, maybe a ten cent item like that which caused my seat relay to fail. Perhaps when the SKREEM is disposed of it is like throwing out the baby with the bath water.
Obviously some have failed because of faulty components but finding that component is a bit of a challenge.
CL770 did a post on the repair of the ECU, I do not recall one on the SKREEM, his post referred to the desoldering of a chip.

 

Wolfstalker, in my initial career I serviced electronic equipment and computers. I did component level soldering. My first degree was ASEE. I would be happy to resolder your SKREEM processor like shown in the video if you would like to try that.

 

This is very informative I wonder if Wolfstalker would attempt this and see if it fixes his problem ??

 

I emailed this to my contacts at FCA. If they will participate in the test I volunteer the use of my car and impaired SKREEM. This would be a big help for them and us if it works. Deserves a test. I want them to pull the module, open it and make the repair, close it and reinstall it so no one can say I screwed my car up if it doesn't work. This will also show if they are truly interested in fixing this problem. FCA should be thrilled with using this procedure as it eliminates the use of MB's proprietary program.



Gentlemen: Do you think this might be a solution to the SKREEM situation? This was posted today on the Crossfire Forum. The soldering errors look to be of a similar type that breaks down in the RCM module. Perhaps it is possible that a simple repair like this might “rescue” a faulty SKREEM module, which would eliminate the rigamarole with using the MB system to code new SKREEMS. Here’s what the repair is like.



I’ll volunteer to let the dealer pull my SKREEM, which has failed, and let a qualified solderer have a try at it. But then I thought perhaps the Chrysler/FCA tech center guys or the Lock and Key Department might want to do it. My car could be towed over to Phelan Chrysler, where Arnold the parts manager has supposedly ordered a new SKREEM for it. Before that arrives they could pull mine and send it to your Tech Center or wherever and they could do this procedure and then send it back to the dealer to install and test. If it works, and is as simple as it looks, Chrysler could issue a TSB on it and dealers could repair them. Perhaps this would fix a lot of Crossfires and Sprinters that are now non-op.


Here’s a video of the removal and replacement of the SKREEM module on the Needswings page.


NeedsWings Performance Products. Crossfire SKREEM and Antenna Ring


This is interesting. Of course, it may not be a valid solution, but if you want to test it you can use my car, which is just sitting in my garage (for a bit over 11 months) while waiting for a new SKREEM. Not much of a risk, maybe a breakthrough solution. This would be a miracle solution to the existing situation if it turned out to work. I understand it would only work when put back in the same vehicle, but it appears to need no new parts, just a repair procedure.


My key fobs operate the door locks, trunk and blink the lights. Only the starter function is lacking. So maybe it is a solder failure at some connection, like the RCM situation.


I think this gent may be overseas - Germany or Poland perhaps - and has done this for MB SLK SKREEM units which are identical to the Crossfire part made by Siemens. I worked with some exiled Polish guys back in Berlin in the 1960s, and they were very clever fellows. In fact I think these are the same Siemens parts that were used originally by the Karmann factory. Perhaps the problem is that SIEMENS made some faulty parts that are prone to fail over time. I wouldn’t want to pull the unit myself because then someone could say I screwed it up, but since I need a new one anyway and Chrysler said they would pick up the cost for that at my local dealer, and the dealer will have to pull the part anyway to put in the new one (hopefully soon), I’ll volunteer my car as the test mule.


Why not get a test of this procedure done? If you figure the inane out of the unit at one hour, and this procedure as another hour, that would make the repair a lot less expensive than

new SKREEM modules.

 

My goal is to use my situation to HELP them get to a viable solution for this problem, be it through repair (soldering) or the stocking of available virgi units and a prompt, easy process to get them coded and in the hands of those that need them. If I had to choose, I would say MB and perhaps Siemens are the people that fucked this up. Perhaps FCA (Chrysler) contributed and certainly I am still to hear a reason for the sudden doubling of the price - that looks like them just taking advantage of an existing situation. I think any lawyers that get involved will just delay the solution as they try to line their pockets. However, absent a prompt solution, the aspect of loss of value might be the aspect that would influence a settlement, were a class-action suit to be mounted. I prefer to help them solve this issue, but my patience, and possibly lifespan, are both waning.

 

Toolman: I think you are correct - the gent I spoke with has been handling and processing the requests for Skreems, keys, etc., not actually coding them. He said it is/was nightmarish with getting requests from dealers (mostly) and customers none of whom were sure what the problem was, submitting the request with VIN and Chrysler cod (not the same thing) to MB for "assembly" or marriage of module and vehicle specific code, etc. He told me about the many meetings he has attended where the suits and lawyers are trying to get a working system going again. I think they may have SKREEM modules coming from a new source that incorporate a new way to accept/install the code without using the MB proprietary hardware/software.

 

Question: Who is "Danek" and where is he located? What does he do? Has he done other posts/videos? I would like to contact him.

 

Hi, I am from Czech republic and the video is not mine. I found it on youtube (it is from Germany). I am one of many owners of Chrysler Crossfire in Czechia.Thanks to this forum I was able to solve some of the problems with my car. Nowadays I have problems with charging the battery - at first I will try pulling fuses one by one.
The problems of the modulu Skreem made me scared, If you dont know what to do with it in the USA, in the Czech republic we dont stand a chance. - here we have about 70 Crossfire cars, so the solving of these problems is in my interests too.
Have someone tried to solve problems of modulu Skreem in the Germany? Maybe I am writing some dumb things according to that the Chrysler is from USA, but on the Germany forum Chrysler Crossfire, I havent found someone who have a problem with modulu Skreem. Probably it is because in the Europe there is not many of these types of car.

The Paul offer, that was mentioned up there, is still standing? (after sending car's VIN)

Here in the Czech republic we have some companies who are offering repairs of control modulus (ECU etc.), but my modulu Skreem is still working...so I haven't contact them yet.
I will look to the problem and If I find something new, I will share it with you guys!

BTW. Sorry for my english. I am Danek's daughter and I am not fluent. I am trying to translate what he is saying to me so I am sorry for some misunderstanding.

 

Hello Danek and daughter. I am of Czech descent, my grandfather and grandmother were from Prague. Small world. My grandfather came to Chicago and started a Czech language newspaper, the Denni Hlasatel. He was acquainted with the Masaryk family - when I was a small baby I was under my uncle's piano when Jan Masaryk played it. I have been in Prague many times. If I come there again I will contact you, and we can share some pivo. FYI - My name means "bad" in Czech.

If you find any other information on the MB SKREEM module or the operation of this security system please post it here, or just send the URL. Anything I find out will be posted here - perhaps we can find a solution. Tell us, if you want to buy a SKREEM module through MB, can you do it there? Was there an importer for Chrysler in CZ? I know there was one in Vienna, and they sold a few Sebring convertibles there. It was Tarbuk on the Mariahilferstrasse. I think it is possible the codes for Crossfire and other Chrysler models outside North America may be available to MB dealers. I read somewhere that a country code had to be put in the SKREEM and if it was wrong the SKREEM was no good. I don't know if that is true or not. If you know the URL for a german Crossfire Forum please send it. Thank you.

Maybe I should tell the people at FCA - "Pravda Vitezi."

 

Hello. If Rudy Compart, who knows every inch of the cf and can't figure out the skreem work a round, then idk. You can contact Rudy through Loeber Mercedes in Lincolnwood, IL (847) 675-1000, speak to Bil Lindhal the service manager or Joe, also a service manager. Doubtful Rudy can be called to the phone, he is buried in mb repairs. Rudy is now full time and has been for a few years. Loeber takes in cf as Rudy knows this vehicle but you'll have to work through and with Loeber at $175/hour. I don't know (and doubt) if Rudy will work side jobs unless you want to drop a V8 in your cf. Unknown if Rudy has tackled this subject or has a work a round but given that the cf platform is the mb SLK, one would think that a work a round may exist or can exist. Good luck. P.S. My skreem failed years ago about a year after I acquired the cf. It was a shock when the cf was stone cold dead, lights were on nobody home. Chrysler serviced the repair, took a week and I was up and running.

 

Thanks to all of you that tried to fix this issue . I had also hoped to find a key replacement as some here get angry at me because I have mentioned it several times. I wanted to be able to buy a back up key remote because if my one and only key gets damaged or lost I am in big trouble. I took my Crossfire to get it inspected today so I hope there is nothing holding me up. I begged the shop to treat my one and only key like a piece of precious treasure because if they loose it or break it , I am in big trouble . The girl at the counter did not realize that this problem existed I told her the key cost more than a ROLLS ROYCE Key. To keep it safe. I hope one day I can get another working key with out paying more for the key than I paid for the car as we all know there is no ETA or possibly a replacement available . So to those who are angry at me mentioning my key issue please try to understand this is a main concern for me and scares me to have no way to start my car . So like Wolfstalker says about the Skreem the key is also a main issue that can have my car become worthless if my one key is gone. It could happen to any one of you at any moment . Your fob could fall out of your pocket or washed in washing machine fall in a river ETC. Please be kind don't judge me !!