Here is a quick distillation of what I know about this.

My 2005 roadster had this problem, as have many others. The symptom I had is like this: You attempt to start the car. You insert the key and the dash lights come on, but when you turn the key the engine cranks, the motor catches for maybe a second, and it stops. You repeat a second time - same thing. The third time, you turn the key and nothing -
You have SKREEM Module failure.

Chrysler dealers are no help, because at this time, they do not have these modules and don't know when they will have them, if ever. This module is part of the theft deterrent system that Mercedes Benz used in the SLK and other models. It is vehicle specific, and supposedly must be coded for your car and your car only, by Chrysler. (Hereafter referred to as FCA.)
You must have (they say) a new one properly coded for your vehicle only to replace the malfunctioning one. That may or may not be true -

there is a solution. There is a company called MDP >> www.mdp-services.com
(Mobile Diagnostics & Programming) that can repair your non-functioning SKREEM module and turn this nightmare into a fairly easy repair at a reasonable cost. If you have SKREEM syndrome, you need to contact MDP. (Perhaps others can do this as well - I found and used MDP and it worked perfectly - PLUG & PLAY.
My car sat 13 months while I tried to find a way around this problem - they literally fixed the SKREEM module I removed from my car and sent to them, got it back to me PDQ, and it works.
I am 100% satisfied all the way around, is recommend this as the only solution I know of.
I recommend them 100%.

Here's what I did. I disconnected the battery. (While waiting for your parts to come back from MDP, test the battery, give it a slow charge, test again. If it is "iffy" I would put in a new one) I pulled the SKREEM module from behind the dash instrument cluster - there is an excellent video on the needswings.com website that shows how to do this. I pulled the ECM from under the hood, located in the box next to the battery. I mailed the SKREEM module, the ECM and my key fobs (both mine were working and would open doors, etc.) to MDP in Pinellas Park, FL with the necessary documents and form you can download from their website. They got it in two days, and on the third day called to let me know it was repaired, tested in their test cars, and ready to ship back.
They will then ask for the credit card to pay for the repair. Mine was $450.
I paid postage there, they paid it back to me. If they can't fix yours, they will ship it back to you - no charge for their work, they pay the postage to you. If these terms change.they will notify you when you contact them. If you have key problems, they may be able to do that as well. Ask them.
I have no idea how they do what they do, and I doubt they will tell you.
I wouldn't understand if I knew. I just know it works.

I hope this helps others caught in this situation.


....................................VIDEO >> How to remove and replace your SKREEM module

 

Just spoke to MDF Services.. they will no longer replace Screem Modules

 

I also called MDP and confirmed they can no longer try to repair our Modules
They discovered that these modules fail in many different ways and they were only able to repair 4 of them successfully.
They were overwhelmed and yet grateful to all who contacted them and sent them a SKREEM for repair
Unfortunately they were not able to repair many of them as it turned out

 

Today I went and picked up my car from Rudy (Our V8 conversion guy) and certified Mercedes mechanic
He removed my working SKREEM module from behind the dashboard cluster and relocated it to an easy access location behind my drivers side fuse panel
Rob at Needswings also provided me / Rudy with a "SKREEM CLONE" which is a spare SKREEM module specific to my VIN
It's a great piece of mind to have a spare SKREEM and and easy access location in the event mine ever fails
Many thanks to Rudy and Rob a www.Needswings.com for their combined efforts to make this possible
Here is my spare SKREEM to carry at all times like a CPS and RCM which many of us commonly carry to have a replacement with us
Contact Rob at Needwings to order your new cloned and functional SKREEM as a spare or to get your Crossfire back on the road
Rob and Needwings are a #1 trusted source for all of us here and has been around for many years providing us quality parts and customer service

CLICK HERE >https://www.needswings.com/crossfire-skreem-repair