Folks (My Sprinter 2005/3500)
Once all the diagnosis for Start error is done, a simple search for 'Start Error' on this forum, will give anyone with all the diagnosis information one will need to eliminate other causes for start error, and if that checks out ok, one has to really replace the SKREEM module and get the keys re-programmed. At that point there are these following options:
1- Get the dealership to get you a new SKREEM and programming which involves what they call 'marry' the FOB, SKREEM and ECU - cost depends on the dealership and the prices you are able to negotiate for the part and labor, but could cost anywhere from 450 - 660. However, let me tell you that once they have the part on hand, the programming itself will only take about 30 minutes top. There are dealers that will tell you that it could take hours or that they have no idea how much time it will take etc...
2- SOS diagnostics offers the same services that is replacing SKREEM, programming (marry the modules), and based on what i read and a few emails exchanged, they also offer eliminating the immobilizer, so that you are not faced with the start error again due to faulty SKREEM. Based on my experience with SOS you can't talk to Chad on the phone easily, so if you are looking for some clarifications and/or initial phone support to even understand what they are offering, forget it. Chad likes to email, but it looks like he is overwhelmed at work, so if you are like me and like to ask questions to clarify anything, it is hard work. You can end up going back and forth with questions that he forgets to answer or miscommunications that occur easily with email communications. If you are not the type of person that cares too much about who or what the operation is, and don't mind shipping out your ecu, skreem, keys etc no questions asked, then may be this may work out for you.
Prices $395 for new skreem and programming and more for immobilizer options.... was not very clear.
3- GDE , we were able to talk to Keith at GDE, while it was nice to talk to someone on the phone if you are going to be spending that kind of money ($600 plus and more for eliminating immobilizer options), we did not find him take kindly to asking questions either. It felt more like give the money and take the tune, other people were happy sought of attitude. This did not sit well with us, besides that since there is no history of how long this solution worked for anyone, it is kinda of hard to say whether this will cause any other issues etc.
I got the feeling that neither GDE or SOS cared for my business, may be they get so much work/money that they don't care.......like for e.g. I did eventually get Chad on the phone, after i insisted i would like to speak to him, when he picked up the phone he said 'What is it, i don't have the time to talk to you, i am in the middle of programming, is this something quick?'
Are there any other options out there, we don't know...please chime in if you know for the sake of others. As for us we went with the Dealer. Choosing one was a challenge near the north east, as we were close to Maine. We went with the Burlington MB as they had a pretty friendly attitude, both Will and Carl were excellent technicians and they also offered a new client $100 discount, with a one year warranty for part and labor. We are aware that this new Skreem could also fail and leave us stranded somewhere, but with lack of options that felt comfortable to us, we were kinda of forced to choose what felt the most comfortable for now, and yes! we are back on the road again.
A poll would be useful in this situation, that is:
- what option did you chose to replace your faulty skreem module (Dealer/SOS/GDE)?
- how many years/miles has it been since you took that option?
- how has it worked for you so far?
Once all the diagnosis for Start error is done, a simple search for 'Start Error' on this forum, will give anyone with all the diagnosis information one will need to eliminate other causes for start error, and if that checks out ok, one has to really replace the SKREEM module and get the keys re-programmed. At that point there are these following options:
1- Get the dealership to get you a new SKREEM and programming which involves what they call 'marry' the FOB, SKREEM and ECU - cost depends on the dealership and the prices you are able to negotiate for the part and labor, but could cost anywhere from 450 - 660. However, let me tell you that once they have the part on hand, the programming itself will only take about 30 minutes top. There are dealers that will tell you that it could take hours or that they have no idea how much time it will take etc...
2- SOS diagnostics offers the same services that is replacing SKREEM, programming (marry the modules), and based on what i read and a few emails exchanged, they also offer eliminating the immobilizer, so that you are not faced with the start error again due to faulty SKREEM. Based on my experience with SOS you can't talk to Chad on the phone easily, so if you are looking for some clarifications and/or initial phone support to even understand what they are offering, forget it. Chad likes to email, but it looks like he is overwhelmed at work, so if you are like me and like to ask questions to clarify anything, it is hard work. You can end up going back and forth with questions that he forgets to answer or miscommunications that occur easily with email communications. If you are not the type of person that cares too much about who or what the operation is, and don't mind shipping out your ecu, skreem, keys etc no questions asked, then may be this may work out for you.
Prices $395 for new skreem and programming and more for immobilizer options.... was not very clear.
3- GDE , we were able to talk to Keith at GDE, while it was nice to talk to someone on the phone if you are going to be spending that kind of money ($600 plus and more for eliminating immobilizer options), we did not find him take kindly to asking questions either. It felt more like give the money and take the tune, other people were happy sought of attitude. This did not sit well with us, besides that since there is no history of how long this solution worked for anyone, it is kinda of hard to say whether this will cause any other issues etc.
I got the feeling that neither GDE or SOS cared for my business, may be they get so much work/money that they don't care.......like for e.g. I did eventually get Chad on the phone, after i insisted i would like to speak to him, when he picked up the phone he said 'What is it, i don't have the time to talk to you, i am in the middle of programming, is this something quick?'
Are there any other options out there, we don't know...please chime in if you know for the sake of others. As for us we went with the Dealer. Choosing one was a challenge near the north east, as we were close to Maine. We went with the Burlington MB as they had a pretty friendly attitude, both Will and Carl were excellent technicians and they also offered a new client $100 discount, with a one year warranty for part and labor. We are aware that this new Skreem could also fail and leave us stranded somewhere, but with lack of options that felt comfortable to us, we were kinda of forced to choose what felt the most comfortable for now, and yes! we are back on the road again.
A poll would be useful in this situation, that is:
- what option did you chose to replace your faulty skreem module (Dealer/SOS/GDE)?
- how many years/miles has it been since you took that option?
- how has it worked for you so far?
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