Looking for some help to get into my locked 2004 Crossfire. The key fobs will not unlock the doors. The trunk is locked. The key will not unlock the drivers side door because it doesn't go all the way in. I tried lubricating the key hole on the door but the key doesn't go all the way in the key hole on the door. I think the battery is dead (but this is only a guess). I've read a few posts online but some suggest going through the trunk (manually opening the trunk with the licence plate light removed).
What are your thoughts on getting into the car and opening the hood to check out the battery?

 

Do you have any type of cover on the door handle like a chromed piece of plastic? The extra width of the plastic makes it very hard to get the key all the way in the door.
You could also take the metal key out of the FOB plastic case and insert just the metal part to get the drivers door open. Be very careful when you open the FOB so that you do not loose any parts or damage the electrical board. Great time to change the batteries and then try the FOB to open the doors with the fresh batteries. Here is a link to open the FOB case Open FOB

 

Thanks for the response. There is no plastic or any obstruction from allowing the key to go into the lock. If I insert the key, it only goes in about half way. I tried spraying graphite in the lock chamber but no luck as of yet. I am planning on replacing the batteries as well. Any other suggestions you may have?

 

How long have you had the car and how long did it sit? Is it a coupe or roadster? Do you have both keys, or just one? A locksmith should be able to get into the car.

 

Since it's an 2004 I assume its a coupe and before I contacted a locksmith I'd try to go through the rear license plate light to get the rear hatch open. If you are able to do that and it works then do as Zeracer stated and replace the battery and resync. Good idea to order a second key if you don't already have one. Assuming after that you are good to go then contact a "qualified" locksmith who can pull the lock cylinder from the door and figure out why the key can't be inserted all the way. Good luck.

 

It is a coupe. I have had it for 9 years and I am the third owner. I have never used the key to lock or unlock the car door. I have the spare fob and it does not unlock the car doors.
I have read about taking the licence plate light out and using a screw driver to disengage the latch. Is this task going to be easy? I don't really want to break anything. People have mentioned that taking out the light can be tricky.
Anyone done this before?

 

See if this helps. If not search Locked Out of Trunk? How To Override the Lock Mechanisms

 

Thanks I will try to go through the trunk first. I am crossing my fingers that I don't damage the license plate light. Has anyone had good luck with a replacement for this light? I am leaning toward buying some LED replacements.

 

They just pop out as an assembly. Use a credit card or something thin to get under the edge.

 

Thanks to all that helped out!
I was able to get into the car through the trunk. I checked out the battery condition and it was good. I reprogrammed the fobs and all is good.
The only problem now is to fix the door lock mechanism (key won't go in lock). I will have to ask a lock smith to see what my options are now.

 

Excellent! Thanks for reporting back. Keep in mind I think our door lock works off of a pneumatic air system. A locksmith familiar with Mercedes Benz vehicles would be a good choice.

 

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Would not surprise me if someone stuck something in the lock to disable that part. Glad you got into the car and that the access to the hatch allowed you to confirm the FOB's still work and the key works in the iggy. Is it also possible the prior owner may have replaced that keylock before you purchased the car? Hope you can get the lock re-tumbler'd, it'll have to be taken out and a locksmith might be able to release it, then re-tumbler to your iggy key (remember if you get a different outside lock, you'll have to have a different key to open it OR also replace the iggy lock so one key can do both). Iggy means ignition, gook luck!


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Chrysler Crossfire Door Handle and Door Lock Actuator Removal

Search for this on Youtube, it show how to remove the the door lock cylinder

 

I can't make that work.

I used a coat hanger and took out the DRIVERS side plate light and snagged the emergency release in my Roadster. But in the Coupe, I don't think you have an emergency release, so the cam on the right is your only option. You access it by taking out the passenger side plate light.

Just use a credit card to loosen it up and get it out. DO NOT bother taking the screws out of the lens, they hold the lens into the housing, but don't hold the housing into the lid.

The reason your key won't go in the all way is that the door lock has not been used for 20 years - that's a bit of a mistake. I put my key in the door look several times a year and lock/unlock the car to keep the mechanism free - putting a few drops of light oil on the key blade before inserting it.

 

Give Tri-Flow lubricant a try. This stuff is good. It comes in squeeze bottle and aerosol.

 

Thanks for all the solutions to my problem. I have tried some lubricant in the door key hole. Hope it works. After watching the video I feel that it will be a great deal of work to get to the door lock mechanism. I'll cross my fingers and hope the lubricant works! I would suggest to all on this forum to actually try opening and closing your car by using the "physical key" and see if it works.

 

I have 3 working KeyFobs and they all work on the door lock.
I have had my Roadster for 8 years and bought it locally from a friend who owned it since it was nearly new
We both have used the keys every so often to open the car and keep the lock functional

 

My rule: at every oil change (so, annually), I use the key to lock and unlock the door and when I treat the top (once or twice a year).