Chrysler Repair: Car wont start/damaged skis key, immobilizer system, 2006 chrysler sebring
QuestionI have a 2006 Chrysler Sebring. Today my key wouldn't turn all the way to allow me to remove it from the ignition. The engine would turn off, but the power would still be applied. I ended up breaking my key off inside the key cylinder. I am still able to star the car with the rest of the key. I disconnected the battery and took the cover off the steering column. I was able to get the key cylinder out. There was a small cable connected underneath the key cylinder. I took it out and reinserted it. It seemed it was bound up or something, but after putting it back in and reinserting the key cylinder I am able to turn the car off. I reconnected the battery and tried to start the car. It would start up, then immediately die. It did this about 2 or 3 times, then it wont crank over at all. Now it just turns and doesn't make any noise. I doubt it's the starter seeing as how it was working just fine. I called an old friend of mine out of state who is a mechanic and he thinks it has something to do with the theft protection and there is something that I need to have reset. Can you offer any advice?
AnswerHi Lonnie,
If the cable connected device was a ring-shape, then yes that is part of the 'smart-key immobilizer system'. But so long as the cable is not damaged and you put it back together the same way it should not be preveniting the starting unless you changed out the key itself to a new one that doesn't have the same 'cap' on its grip. And by same, it has to be identical electrically (internal to the cap). Do you have another copy key identical to the one that broke that was original to the vehicle? If not, then it may be necessary to get a key that is identical to the cap of the broken key, or the alternative is to have the car towed to a dealer to have it programmed to recognize the new key.
Roland
PS Sorry for the delay but I just found your question in the pool to which it had been referred by the other expert.
