A big thanks to the author/s of the pdf file explaining how to do this. No locksmith would even consider helping me fix this car. My only option prior to this post was to take it to the one chrysler dealership in the dallas area that has a crossfire certified technician. He was nice talking on the phone, but he quoted $580 before labor, just to get parts ordered.....that was vin specific key, tumblers, ignition lock assy. I'd hate to see what the bill would have been after letting them do it. So......THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!

My girlfriend's '04 crossfire started having issues with the sticky ignition earlier this year. A number of weeks later, it would not turn at all. I too got blisters on my fingers trying to get the beast started.

It took me about 4 hours cause it's so hot here in Texas. I used a basic corded drill to flatten the locking pin, only used one 1/4" bit.....must've been a good one. This was the hardest part and it took me a while, but I just kept remembering the advice here, "just keep at it". I'd go straight at the pin for a while, then turn the drill bit perpendicular to the pin. My drill bit had a pilot tip on the end, so with some initial precision, I could actually drill a concave divot in the pin so as to steady the bit during the remainder of the drilling. Anyway, it was a pain, but eventually it was gone. Also, it was impossible not to damage some of the surrounding metal sleeve that the ignition assy sets in and some nearby dash plastic, but it matters not.

And, just like others said here, once I opened the access door on the ignition assy and removed the offending spring and pin inside, my key worked like a charm. Works more smoothly than before. Absolutely amazing.

To answer the previous poster, the BAS/ESP light and the steering wheel air bag light came on after starting the car again. However, after driving it for a few miles, all lights disappeared.

Bottom line.....you guys rock. Thanks again!

 

Hey buddy thanks for the answer ! yeah the light disapear the only thing i notice now its that when my driver door its open it beeps like i left something on but ones i close the door it stops but i can live with that!!! thanks everybody again for taking the time to post this !!!!!

 

Bahaha problem fixed. Apparently if the latch for the telescoping steering wheel is not fully closed then the airbag light turns on. So. Keep this in mind if it ever comes on. Opened and closed it and magic, light turns off. Open it again and it came back on. Negligence for the win. cheers.

 

Hmm.. grand daughter was playing with car while I had my back turn talking.. finally got her over to the passenger side and when leaving noticed a new pretty dash light.. lol. I looked it up here.. but thought it said telescoping steering lock.. not air bag. And needless to say she found the latch and had it pulled..

 

Thanks again for the PDF and directions. I had to sit in a Pet's Mart parking lot and drill that fricking pin out. I then pulled the switch off of the back of the tumbler, taped my key to the ring, then turned the switch with a screw driver to get her started so that I could drive it home. Once I got home I read the rest of this thread where it said to just remove the pin and spring, and sure enough, it works like a champ now, and zero out of pocket. You guys rock.

 

Is there any lubrication/preventative measures that can be taken to avoid this? I don't know if our car has been through this already or not. I can tell you that I lock the car with a little pressure on the interlock as possible!

 

From what I saw when I fixed mine, the only way to avoid the problem is to perform the mod BEFORE it fails.

And IF you wanted to try lubrication, it would mean going thru the WHOLE procedure anyway, since you can't lube the mechanism without popping the access cover off!

 

I suspect you meant original post in this thread.
Done !! .......and I was just surfing the forum when I saw this request


Sorry but I don't recall being contacted.

 

I sent pm to Andrew, fp, and woody back then.
Thanks for adding the pdf to the op.

 

my BAS/ESP light still coming on after fixing the sticky key problem it is only off when i first start the car, but after a block or two of driving it comes back on and stays! any advice ? should i be worry?? thanks!!!!!!

 

drhash,

Let me ad my gratitude for the outstanding job you did on the write up for this problem. By following your directions I had my '04 done in 1 hour. With no foul words or mashed knuckles. Again thank you for the great directions!

XfirePop

 

Will77, did you try to reset the light by turning the steering wheel all the way to the left, then all the way to the right? Thats what everyone has been doing to reset that pesky light and it resets the system.

 

From his post it sounds like it's resetting, but finding something it doesn't like shortly after driving.. Wheel speed sensor?

 

thanks for the info!!! i will try that!

 

Hello I just joined the forum yesterday found the sticky ignition pdf because i'm having that problem too. Great pdf but i cant get the assembly back into the black housing on the steering colum and i guess stuck at this point any ideas? I took the spring and pin out of the hatch and went to put the assembly back in and it gets stuck about 1/2inch to where the safety pin originally was. Thanks. By the way its a 2005 limited coupe.

 

It's been over a year since I had to fix mine, but are you sure you are pushing the little pin in when you try to put it back?


ALSO, I had a HELL of a time myself - I think I grasped the assembly with channel lock pliers and twisted and turned it until it went in.

 

OK i got it. Im thinkin when I pulled out the assembly the black metal housing must of flexed inward a touch so i had to slightly pry open to make it fit again. be careful when doing that if gotta, not a lot of room to work with. The ignition is smooth as ever. Wow great site im a fan! Thanks again

 

Hi I'm new to the forum. I bought my 05 Crossfire ltd convert last week. It seems to be well care for and all service records were available as well as clean carfax. The top and rear window are new as well as tires battery filters etc. The sticky key problem concerned me so i went out to the garage and was able to turn wheel both ways without having it lock in place. I hope this is a sign that the lock pin and spring have been removed or maybe the 6-speed manual doesn't lock like the auto does.

 

Mine is a stick and I did the mod last year... and my wheel locks.

This mod removes ONE of the locking mechanisms, but it does NOT prevent the wheel from locking.

No idea what is up with your car.

 

When I did mine 3 years ago some people were cutting off the end of the steering lock assy off that goes in the steering column. I can only assume yours was one of the early "fixes" that did the cut. I can't think of any other way to remove the steering lock completely - you should be ok. (I just removed the pin and spring - no cutting or replacing- it still locks and I have had no problems)
And just a note that rekcah is the one to thank for the pictorial - he fixed his and then took it apart again to document it!