I noticed battery acid leaking onto my tray today, so I pulled the battery and tray to cleanup. While I had the battery out I figured I would do the ignition mod while the black paint dried on the fixed tray. The whole process was easy with the PDF how to illustration/instruction, thanks to all those responsible. I would estimate the whole process took me 1 hr start to finish. My ignition is nice and smooth now.

 

DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH MONEY YOU SAVED ME???? IT WORKS!!!!! I FIXED IT!!!! FOLLOWED YOUR INSTRUCTIONS AND FIXED IT!!!! DID I JUST SAVE $1000??????

DRHRSH if you live anywhere near zip code 22180 i will take you out to dinner and drinks at morton's steakhouse or ruths chris or wherever. u can reach me at hubert@vt.edu

 

I am new to this forum. My 2004 Crossfire has 91K miles and I am having constant trouble with my ignition, for a month now. I am afraid it will permanently lock up and leave me stranded. I took it to Chrysler and was told that it needs $735 worth of parts, one of which is VIN # specific and has to be ordered from Germany which could take 2 or 3 months to arrive, and the total cost for the repair will be around $1400, much more if it locks/freezes and needs to be saw'd out. Are they out of their minds??? MB told me they cannot order the VIN # specific part for me, not can they do the repairs. I'm a girl, I can't do it!!! Anyone in the LA/Ventura, CA area know where I can get it taken care of reasonably?

 

If nobody can help you, I say print out the PDF from this forum (here), take it to an independent shop that's not in bed with a Chrysler dealer, and ask them to do it (the modification fix, not the parts replacement). It takes an hour for someone reasonably handy. No parts necessary. Just a drill and a screw driver.

 

The Mercedes dealership has a part for $139, but Chrysler said it won't work and I need to replace the entire assembly for $735 parts plus labor = $1400+!

 

Have you read the whole forum? Don't listen to the Chrysler dealer. I'll never set foot one again. All they do is put their sticker on the Mercedes part and mark it up anyway. If you replace the part you'll just find yourself back in the same situation in a few more years.

 

I am printing out the instructions, thanks so much. I'll contact a local mechanic who looked at it once already and ask him to try again. Are you saying if I replace any parts I'll just have the same problem again someday, but if I follow these instructions there are no new parts to replace at all and it will be fixed forever? Please be patient, I'm a girl...

 

I think the animal-guy is right. You don't need any parts, all that is needed is to just remove the assembly and take out the offending spring and latch. I also coated the lock cylinder and other parts with a light coating of 30 weight motor oil before I put it all back in.

If you have any friend who is "handy" with tools, you might get him to do the repair in return for a gift certificate at your local liquor store!

It is NOT hard to do with the instructions provided here.

 

That is what it looks like - it's not just the original assemblies that do this, but all of them. By removing the spring and latch the instructions refer to, you remove the secondary ignition lock function - but the primary one is still there, so your wheel still locks!

I have not heard of anyone having the problem again after removing the spring and latch. I got stranded with my car about one month ago. Cost $100 to have it towed home and I fixed it in about two hours. (I had just bought the car six weeks before and didn't know it was warning the previous owner, I doubt he realized what was going to happen.)

 

I'm having this problem, and Chrysler told me I need $735 parts vin# specific ordered from Germany and it will take months to get them, can't just replace one part, needs Housing (68001655AA $528), switch (5098721AA $69.60), warning light (5098722AA $21) and retainer steering (5098200AA $54.24) and labor will be about $665.
Do you feel it is OK to just inactivate the locking pin? Why did you choose to replace the assembly and what exactly is it that cost $379? Mercedes has one part that cost $159 part # 202-460-09-04 Steering Lock. Is this what I need? I have a local car mechanic who looked at it and told me the part I need is backordered and vin # specific and he recommended I go to Chrysler...I'm hoping if I take him the printed out instructions from this forum he will try again.

 

Can anyone recommend a mechanic in the Ventura CA area who works on imports and domestic cars that I should try?

 

Canadablue:

The dealers are no place to take these cars (or ANY car). Don't spend all that money - just take the instructions to some guy who is good with tools and let him do the modification.

ONE THING I WILL SAY - is that the assembly IS confusing, don't be surprised if the guy tells you he's not sure if removing the two parts will fix it long - term. Just have the mod done per the instructions here and you'll be fine. It should cost you 1 to 2 hours of his time at what ever rate he charges.

If you lived near one of us, I'm sure one of us would do it for you free! I know I sure would - fixing things is fun for me.

 

Try searching in the west forum here:
West Forum

For Members in that area!

 

Thanks again! I sent out a msg asking for a referral...
Kristin

 

Just want to advise others that when your ignition starts to get sticky or won't turn with ease you need to get on it sooner rather than later. Mine was sticky for a while till one day it just wouldn't turn while I was parked at a parkade. Had to get it towed to the dealer, and it was big bucks from there.

 

Mine locked up at a gas station 12 miles from home. Cost me $100 to have it towed home and about 2 hours of my time.
(Actually, it cost me an entire afternoon - but the time to FIX it was abotu 2 hours, but it sure screwed up my saturday!)

Been fine ever since... but you are right, if it's acting funny, GET IT FIXED. We all know these cars do this, certainly most of them, anyway.

 

Has anyone in the Houston, Texas area completed this fix??? Im having a hell of a time drilling/grinding that locking pin.... please help..

 

Great, if you are coming to the Spring Dragon I will let you fix both of our cars.....Judi (msgump and TJ)

 

I am on the fence about the Spring Dragon... life is getting in the way - I'll post an update a few days before, in that thread!

I'd be happy to help - might get 13dog to supervise me.

 

Wow, that would be great...TJ's is really bad, he is the only one that knows how to start it...hope you make it to the Dragon...Judi