Not possible, remember this is NOT a General Motors vehicle.

 

Other than the general cut at the GM (which I am not offended by BTW, never owned a single GM vehicle).. why? I thought from the others'comments that the removed part now precludes wheel lockup when the key is out. Mine still locks as before.. not what I expected.. so I am nervous. Are you familiar w. the mechanism/this repair and can you explain better why I am not in danger of wheel lockup while driving?
thx

 

You cannot take comments made by people who were wrong and then worry about an erroneous assumption on their part.

Remember this has been done here for over five years and nobody has had this happen to them.
Why? Because it is another part entirely that is removed, not the steering wheel lock or anything connected to it.

 

If you removed the spring and pin like the instructions, you are good to go. The wheel will still lock after the spring/pin is removed but your ignition key will not get stuck in the future.

 

thanks for your reply.
I must've remembered it wrong that somebody said that the wheel wont lock after the repair.
So if it's not a part of the wheel lock , what is the thingy for?
And... I am 98% sure there was no spring when i removed the cover. and I was very careful, I couldn't have missed it. The unit looked factory fresh.
Strange. Anyway.. I am less concerned now, but still curious abt that shuttle&spring function.
thx
Jan

 

I am told it is a redundant lock of some sort. That is, a redundant assurance the big locking plunger wont retract unless the key is inserted.

Something like that.

 

This is my first post here. Had my '05 Crossfire Coupe for a little more than a year now.

I started having the sticky key problem a couple of months ago, but was scared of undertaking this process.

As you can probably guess, I ended up with a completely locked ignition.

I was fortunate enough to get it to turn over once to get it home, then decided I had to start with this process.

I finished today at 3 p.m. after a few hours of work.

I can't thank you guys enough. I didn't really have the money to put into getting this fixed at a shop, so being able to do it for free is a huge relief.

I'm not a "car guy," so doing this on my own was pretty scary, but oh so fulfilling when it was finally done.

And, I was fortunate enough to get the ignition to turn over one more time after I was part way through grinding out the locking pin. I had worn down the dremel bit, so was about to change, and decided to just try to turn it over just for ***** and giggles. And it popped over to my shock and surprise. I think I did a little Chad Ochocinco TD dance in the driveway when I was able to pop the tumbler out with the key and didn't have to worry about grinding out the rest of the locking pin.

Anyway, thank you guys so much. If any of the guys who put the tutorial together are ever in my neck of the woods, the first round is on me!

 

UPDATE
NEWEST PDF FILE AS OF JUNE 1 , 2013
The new PDF is version 5

The original post in this thread has also been UPDATED
This is the first time I have been made aware of any newer version PDF file

Gary

 

Wow! Just happened to stop by Dodge dealer, (checking Nitrogen fill on tires) and they were talking about a 04 Crossfire they had and were going to sell but a a test drive, the key "stuck". One of the operations directors was saying approximately $1700.00, pulling the entire steering wheel, column, and, dashboard out to fix the problem! I hope not. I'm about a 5 on a mechanical scale, although I once added a multi switch on a 95 Dodge Intrepid. But this scares me. Thank you for the posts.

 

If you are a five you can rate them at a one and never go there again.
I hope the nitrogen fill was free.

 

It was but my XFiRE is starting to stick...05. But, this is the same dealership that told me it would cost $125.00 per side to change my headlights when I first got them.

 

Was that $125 price per side INCLUDING the new units ?
If so, please send me this dealer's info.

 

No Sir. One of the low beams went out and I order new bulbs. I didn't know about Crossfire.org then and they told me that they, "...hadn't worked on Crossfires before." But to change the buls they would have to pull "the facia" and it was $125 each side!. These are the same people that said they had to pull the dashboard and steering wheel apart to fix a "sticking key" on a 2004 Crossfire. As far as I'm concerned, they are good for changing oil only. Maybe...

 

Guess I'm in the wrong business. I'd gladly take $250 to change all 4 of your bulbs, and throw them in for free ......
( of course, I'd have to keep the old bulbs for resale )

 

This forum is a godsend. I to experienced the dreaded sticky ignition key for several years. But then I experienced the wheel lock the other night. I thought the worst. I downloaded the new PDF version 5 for fixing the issue. I managed to gently wrestle it out of the lock and found a local European Mechanic shop to fix it. Having no skill in fixing it myself - I'll give myself a grade of 1.5 on a scale of 10 I knew I had to convince someone to do it for me. I explained to the owner the problem and how I wanted it to be repaired by handing him this forum's PDF. I explained to him that the if we repaired it with a new part, the problem will reappear again. He read - saw a smile on his face and he said - Yes... no problem.
Cost me $315. Done. I just picked up the car and the sticky is gone. It's amazing. This forum and all you guys - Simply Amazing-
I'm located Valencia Ca, and feel free to contact me if you want the phone number to his shop.
Thanks everyone,
John

 

Sorry Gary, both original links in the first post are links to version 2, your addition is to version 5.
I suggest that this thread be closed and another one started as there are countless mentions of versions 2 to version 5 throughout this thread.
The two original authors of this PDF have now left the forum and sold the Crossfire.

 

Thank you, just fixed it tonight. It took me about an hour, but we'll worth it. Thank you again.

 

I wish someone in the Tulsa area would fix theirs in about an hour.. then I'd have a new friend to go visit with a 24 pack or something.. LOL.

 

MM, for anyone with the skills to install a $5 lip, this fix is a piece of cake.

 

Right after I get the magnaflow exhaust on.. and waterpump on daughters camry... and fuel pump on the Corvette.. might need to reroof the garage first too... you get the picture.. LOL