Too many threads to add this to each one so started a new one. As of Tuesday my local dealership Coquitlam Chrysler said the Skreem and keys are now available $747.00 for the skreem and 214.00 for the keys. (-10% for being a member of West Coast Crossfire Club!) 2 weeks for delivery. Same price as before the seemingly permanent backorders. Sorry this is only for Canadian cars registered in Canada but should mean that they will be available in the USA now or soon! My rescue roadster had a skreem problem but after checking all other possibilities I thought I should pull the gauges before ordering and I saw the wires had been pulled from one of the connectors. Not sure how that happened but now I just need a spare key and some time to put it all back together.

 

Wow that is very good news. I hope your prediction comes true. As I recall, early when this situation started replacement keys were still available in Canada, but not the US.

 

Hey Ron; couple questions: Did you actually order a key. If yes please confirm when you receive it and it works. If not, why not. I, like a lot of people have been thru the key hoop and nothing seems to fizzle out. I tried my own Chrysler Dealer today and same old story"unknown delivery date". Tried your Couquitlam Chrysler dealer as well. They say "usually" takes about 2 weeks. Only guarantee is that it will fit ignition switch and turn, no guarantee it will start the car. No guarantee on the programming, IF the key will even be delivered to the dealer. Please let everyone know if this is an actual solution.

 

Hi Johnny, I will get in there tomorrow or Wed and order the key. I have phoned them numerous times over the past 8 or 9 months and always had a not available at this time with an expected availability of a month or two. This time they said they were available and delivery would be about two weeks - not sure why they would say that if it was still unavailable or why your dealer doesn't have them available. No one is going to guarantee they will start unless your current key does. You can program a factory key yourself. Will post if there is a problem ordering or when it is in my hands and the car is started with it! Ron

 

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The disclaimer (lately) about a replacement key produced (not guaranteed) COULD be because of the ppl who swap all the internals for the OEM key for those of a 'donor' car. Since the 'donated stuff' isn't from the OEM VIN production car, there is NO WAY a VIN produced OEM replacement key would work (only in this case though). Cheers!


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I had mine made by SOS Diagnostics a month and and it works great. Good price also.

 

I'm not saying this against the OP at all and hope you get your key for 214$. In all honesty though since this whole screw job from Daimler, Chrysler or whoever it was I'd rather give my money to SOS or Rob at Needswings for their hard work and them actually caring about XF owners. Whoever it is to blame for the key and SKREEM fiasco doesn't deserve a damn thing from us. They basically said screw it, all the while rendering people carless for months with no solution and no help whatsoever. I've never heard of such a thing with a car that's not even 20 years old. Maybe a car that's 50 years old I could see but not this. It had to have came down to greed or ego over the old partnership, God knows it wasn't a match made in heaven and I could definitely see Daimler pulling some crap like this. Like I said this is not a knock or anything against the OP and appreciate his info, at least now we know whoever the culprit was pulled their head out of their a**. I never had the SKREEM problem but have seen countless people on the forum and Facebook completely helpless because this is their only car. Let's just hope this doesn't happen with any other integral parts for the car again. Okie Dokie rant over lol, everyone take care!!

 

I have two keys, the one I use is in a new case and the other one looks unused, lucky me.
I purchased a spare SKREEM from Rob when he first sounded the alarm about the supply in the future.
Whatever the root cause of the problem now probably started when Chrysler basically vanished from the map. Mercedes probably never had the codes and if they did they were probably lost or forgotten when the breakup occurred, no loss of skin to them. I do find fault with their attitude to Crossfire owners which may have cost them sales, it costs little to keep a potential customer, it costs a lot to get a new one.

 

Thanks for responding Ron. I got all the info from Ted at your dealership. I will go back to mine in Ontario and tell them what I found out. I'll probably order one to see what's really up. Keep us posted.

 

So to bring everybody up to date. I just ordered a new key matched to my VIN at my local Chrysler Dealership. $235 CDN. No delivery date given. Was told if everything is original it should work with no programming required. Hope this works for everyone's sake. I'll keep you posted.

 

You may have program the remote door open/close. Do that yourself easily, do not let them do it for $$$$.
I hope it all works out well for you.

 

No good news.
Johnny - I was just told yesterday key on backorder again till Aug 30th. (said same with skreem) Sounds like the same crap but I am hoping it is a new temporary glitch and not perma backordered.

Sussudio - No one wants to order from the dealer. I am in Canada and it is more expensive and risky to send your only key, ECU and skreem to another country- more so during a pandemic.
Key @ $214. -10% Canadian is equal to $144. US and no shipping.
Rob is doing a great job by offering the skreem repair but does not list keys available on their own. Needswings only shows skreems @ 600.00 US (800. CAN) with available "valet" keys for an extra cost which do not have remote function like an OEM. They only manually open door and start car. I assume SOS is in the same ball park and has the same issues. That is why I wanted to try and wait for an OEM as this is a rescue car for sale not my keeper. No offence taken just a finacial decision

 

I completely understand that, I’ve ordered a couple of things from other countries that were in shipping limbo because of what’s going on. I didn’t even think about, my bad. I found this post that might be beneficial for you. Check the first post. The thread ended up going off topic towards the end but the first post is what might be beneficial for you. https://www.crossfireforum.org/forum...m-120-usd.html

Hope this helps.

 

Hi 180..The spare Skreem is a used one programmed to your Vin?..The Skreems that Needswings supplies are from salvaged vehicles and reprogrammed to our Vin so our keys still work...There are so many posts but i havent found anything definitive to explain the system completely...Fob with the chip, the ring around the ignition,the actual key cylinder and the skreem working in tandem with each other...It's all very confusing to a new owner...thanks, jeff

 

Yes the skreem has to be programmed to the specific car by VIN. Where did you get your info that Needswings uses skreems from salvaged vehicles?

 

I was just asking a question if i bought a working Skreem would needswings be able to reprogram it to my Vin...Are these skreens programmable because i have read they are no longer being made.....If used working skreens could be reset to our vin to keep our keys....is this possible?

 

Needswings or SOS Diagnostics are the only verified companies that can repair or clone your skreem. They both carry the skreem in stock. I do not believe they accept used parts from salvage vehicles to reprogram but you will have to contact them directly.

The way it usually works is you send them all the keys you have, skreem, and ECU/computer. Then they diagnose and get back to you.

Needswings can make valet keys only. SOS Diagnostics can clone your key or make you new flip remotes.

Needswings has been extremely supportive of this car and forum and is recommended by many members.

https://www.needswings.com/crossfire-skreem-repair

S.O.S. Diagnostics

 

Thank you for the info and links....many here have spare Skreens...I was questioning if they can reprogram working ones to our Vins so we could have a plug and play spare, without any down time....If we break down on the road in the middle of nowhere the garage we are towed to will charge storage by the day while we wait for a replacement.....I really dont wanna take it apart and wait for its return, i would much rather have a spare...Can these (2) outfits reprogram a used working skreen to our vin, without using the original one?.... I would send them the ecm and a key, with all the necessary paperwork....thanks, Jeff

 

Jeff,

Just call or email Rob at Needwings with your questions. It's confusing to all of us.
But fact is, you can trust Rob and Needswings and, other than SOS, there is no other way out.

I DO know you can get spare SKREEMS from Rob, Valk has one, if his ever dies, he has a spare - all thanks to Rob at Needswings.
Is it a reprogrammed used one or new? I don't know.

 

Thanks, Pizza...It is very confusing...When i first purchased my 04 Crossfire i was reading everything i could find....I had a bill of repair for the rcm, then i purchased the cam and crankshaft sensors, just in case....Now more reading and i am concerned about the Skreen maladies....That is 4 points of concern for these cars....The Skreen is complicated and the more i read the more confusing it gets....Would like someone with a spare to chime in and let us know how they did it....Did they supply the spare or did they purchase a new skreen when they were plentiful...Is the ecm in the same location as the rcm? i am afraid to touch anything in that compartment....thanks, Jeff