Hi Guys,

I've been on this forum and a proud Crossfire owner for 10 years now & I'm finally out of options on a fix for getting a key made when you lose your only one. I was provided only one key when I bought my car and I had no idea how much was involved in having a Crossfire key made without having one to make it from. As if it couldn't be worse, my alarm was on when the key was lost, lol. I saw a lengthy thread here that showed the "programming" was very simple but only after the key was made and then I remembered that simple process once when my door lock function on the key fob quit working. There was also the arrangement (in case your only key was MIA) to call the dealer and they could make a key based on your VIN number. I was informed that is no longer as Mercedes says they never did it and Chrysler advised they discontinued making Crossfire key fobs as of August, 2023. I did find some some "programming" shops that could make a key for a small fortune and then only after you disassemble three parts off your engine and mail them to a facility in Portland, Oregon.

Does anyone know of any other reasonable option of getting your only key replaced? I had planned to keep my car as long as I could but you can't do much without driving it.
I'd appreciate any ideas.

 

You have a couple of options:
You can contact Rob at Needswings or The Mercedes Swap Shop .
Those are your best choices.

 

Yes, at least call and talk to them. It is not that difficult. They are on the Internet. MSS is in Ca.

 

You must send them the SKREEM and ECU, not parts of the engine these are modules involved in the security system. MANY of us have been thru this.
The MSS or Rob at Needswings are the two places, the only two, that I'd go to.

 

Hi, sorry to hear about your issue. One thought is to delete the security feature from the ECU (still expensive, ~$400), and then have a locksmith drill out your ignition and driver door tumblers, install new tumblers and give you a new key. You'll probably lose the remote fob features (open and close doors, panic button) and the security features (only the right key with transponder chip able to start the car), but it'll be back on the road. The advantage of this method is you don't have to take the dash apart, nor remove the ignition - neither is hard, just time consuming.
-Jerry

 

more accurately late 2019 when we needed to start figuring out how to make them ourselves when we had over 100 customers dead crossfires piling up, we "cracked the code" during covid lockdown.

we may have spoken on the phone yesterday, i had a few conversations similar to your scenario yesterday, if those calls were not from you, give me a call or email rob@needswings.com
www,NeedsWings.com
btw, we are a real company that actually answers the phone
-Rob

 

I'm trying to figure out a company that makes the original key cases. I get my cases from the SLK (all black with the red panic button or all black with chrome button and surround). But I would love it any of the manufacturers made a reasonably inexpensive key fob shell in the original color. If you know one, please let me know. Not trying to get a new key, just move over the chip, transponder and cut-out key to a new shell every so often, when they get worn.

Last time I did it, I used this shell, which is pretty nice but not the original:

 

I used this one from LA Car Tech.
The only thing is that you will have to use there blade and have it cut to match yours. The original blade will be slightly smaller than theirs. Any auto-locksmith can cut a blade. It cost me about $35.00 to have mine cut.
Link to La car tech key fob