Beautiful! Thank you Jared for the pictures and explanation. I really appreciate the crystal clearity!

As I read through, I was interpreting the locked key and steering wheel situation to mean you couldn’t reuse the old one. But now I understand. I’ll be posting results for sure!

Again, really appreciate the clarifications everyone!!

 

The PDF instructions confused me too, and I am an experienced mechanic.

I avoided reading the text and pretty much just memorized what the pictures showed.

The biggest pain in the @ss is the pin. There is no drilling that pin because it rotates with the drill bit. It has to be ground down/off.

I used a 1/4 straight die grinder with a burr bit, pictured below.

Jared

 

You are correct on the drilling, I will correct the instructions and have post #1 updated.
I just never got around to it as I am having trouble with editing.

 

its easy to get confused as there are different methods to fix this problem, some work on one crossfire and not another, I moved the steering wheel left to right to feel play and friction on the steering lock, my crossfire steering wheel had friction on the lock- toward turning left: so I held the wheel a little toward the right, then I tried to turn the key in a fast left to right motion, at that moment I vibrated the lock " housing " with an air chisel by the 10 mm bolt clamp on the lock housing , near the steering wheel, It would help if you had a second person to help to do this method, its worth a try so you don't have to do any grinding but it hasn't worked for everyone, If you try vibration of some sort I hope it works for you too, you might get lucky, not everyone has though,

 

Just a suggestion, I think it would help to note somewhere at the beginning of the "how to", the fact that if the assembly is removed undamaged, that it can be reused.

Jared

 

I’ve loved this car so much! I have had it four years and am making my last payment this month and this has all happened 3 days before my final payment.

I am not a mechanic but I think it’s time Get to grinding that pin off. I’ve got the dash dropped and I have blisters on my middle, index, and thumb. From trying to rock it into working.

limited access to tools.

I was lucky enough to park with my wheels straight so the flatbed tow truck guy was able to pull it up and drop it off for me.

I am gonna go buy the deremel (how do you spell that??) today after work and see what luck I have.

I also already bought the replacement assembly and set of new keys on eBay for $481 because I was not understanding so hopefully that can be returned after I get this sucker out and back in.

Thanks for the picture Jared. I’m gonna look for that exact bit!

Y’all are great!

 

a "Dremel" should work just as good as the air powered die grinder. The bits will be smaller, but you will be persistent and get it done.

The pin is a mild steel and grinds easily.

Jared

 

I have updated it a few times, someone else wrote it and I basically just turned it into a PDF after a few edits.
Your suggestions are noted and will be added.
Everyone should do this mod if it applies to their car before the key locks up. When done the mod should be noted on the fuse box lid diagram.
I cannot add this to my Index of Crossfire problems, repairs and how to's easily because of ongoing problems with the site. Maybe a mod can replace V5 with this V6 in the first post of this thread.

 

'04 original owner - finally had to do it. It took 20 mins to get part in hand/perform fix.

1. adjust steering wheel all the way out toward driver for locking pin access.
2. pull and rotate for easy removal.
key chamber goes up / elect cable in rear drops down. lots of room to remove and reinsert.

 

Rob McCubbin did my sticky key fix today
It wasn't acting up but he did mine to prevent the problem from ever occurring
My thanks to Bob for his willingness to help out many of us in this Crossfire community

 

I just did the sticky key fix. I removed the pin but i don't see any difference. The steering wheel still locks when you turn it. I don't see what the pin does?

 

So you did something but do not know why? 🤔
Read the first post in this thread.

 

I had the dash apart for skreem issues so i thought would be a good time. My ignition was working fine. But with the problems my car has been giving me i thought i better do it.Seems like all the common problems y'all talk about are happening to me. thought i would get ahead of this one. Would really like to drive it again.

 

thanks a million for posting this fix, worked perfectly , though the steering wheel still locks with the key. Is this right?

 

Here is the problem statement from the first post:

You really want to do this fix before having your car become inoperable if the pin wedges the ignition lock.

Yes, the steering wheel lock still engages after this fix; this fix only applies to the ignition key lock.

 

Thank you. I didn't want it to become a problem. Just wasn't sure what it did. I was trying to get ahead of the known problems with the car. But the car isn't having any of that. 😁

 

Can't find Version 6 for sticky key fix. Can someone help me find?

 

See post 1128

 

Sorry, how do I find post 1128? I'm not that familiar how to use this forum. Thanks!

 

In the Right hand upper corner is a number reflecting the post. Just tab up to post number 1128 and there will be a link to what you are asking. This is post 1140. Your last one was 1139 etc.