The immobilizer blocked the engine start: what to do? How to disable the immobilizer in a car bypassing it yourself?

2024 Author: Erin Ralphs | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-02-19 11:42

Immobilizers are in almost every modern car. The purpose of this device is to protect the car from theft, which is achieved by blocking the electrical circuits of the systems (fuel supply, ignition, starter, etc.). But there are unpleasant situations in which the immobilizer blocked the engine from starting. What to do in this case? Let's talk about that.

What is an immobilizer anyway?

How is this device different from a conventional security system? First of all, the fact that the degree of protection of the car increases significantly with its use. This device has a complex intelligent system that allows you to control the mechanism only at close range, and not remotely, as is the case with conventional alarms. This means that when the door is openedattackers do not have the ability to intercept the signal that comes from the key fob of the device. To intercept it, you need to be directly in the car.

Note that the owners of cars with alarms that are serviced in dubious workshops may be at risk. The fact is that making a copy from the alarm key fob is quite simple and does not take much time. And stealing a car with an existing copy of the key fob is easy. But as for the immobilizer, it is difficult to make a copy of it, because attackers usually do not have a master card.

Modern security immobilizers are famous for their compactness. Their installation is carried out in hidden places. And if you install the immobilizer correctly, then it is almost impossible to determine its type and location. But that's not all. Some types of devices have an anti-theft function that does not even require the participation of the owner.

Immobilizer design elements

How to understand why the immobilizer blocked the engine start? What to do in this case? First you need to understand how it works and determine its main structural elements.

The main component of the immobilizer is an electronic control unit. Its functionality is provided by a microcircuit that is programmed for a specific program of action. The microcircuit contains a special exchange code, which is used when "interrogating" the car key. Also inside there is a coil that reads information from the key.

The second important element is the actuator, which contains several electromagnetic relays. As soon as the electronic unit gives a command, the switching mechanisms break the signal chains that go to the important elements of the car. If desired, you can connect an additional electromagnetic system that will block non-electric devices.

The third element is a transponder, which is a programmed chip. It is in every key that is inserted into the ignition lock. This transponder transmits a unique code to the vehicle system, upon recognition of which the control unit gives permission or refusal to start the engine.

The immobilizer blocked the engine from starting. What to do?

There are several ways to unlock the immobilizer: with the central lock control button and with the help of an IR transmitter.

If the car is locked by the immobilizer, the IR transmitter unlock is suitable for cars in which the IR transmitter key controls the central lock and the immobilizer. To disable the immobilizer, a code (4 digits) is required. It is entered by pressing the gas pedal and the on-board computer control button. This button is usually located on the end of the glass cleaner switch.

Unlock process

When the immobilizer is active, the ignition must be turned on. At the same time, the immobilizer lamp on the instrument panel will start flashing, which indicates thatThe immobilizer blocked the engine from starting. What to do next? Press and hold the gas pedal, after which the lamp will stop flashing.

Now we need to enter the code using the on-board computer button. To do this, the button must be pressed in an amount equal to the first digit of the code. We release the gas pedal, the light will start flashing again. The action described above must be carried out for all numbers.

After all the code is entered, the lamp will be on all the time. This is a good sign that the engine is unlocked and can now be started. No need to be surprised if, after pressing the button on the key with the transmitter, the immobilizer blocked the engine start on the prior. What to do in this case? Nothing, it's okay.

If you enter the wrong code three times in a row, then the next attempts are possible only after 15 minutes. To set up other keys, you need to unlock the immobilizer. His light should not be on. Then you need to turn the ignition on and off, quickly press the central lock control button. Doors will close and open again (or vice versa). At the same time, the immobilizer lamp will light up. Within the next 15 seconds, you need to perform the following actions:

1. We direct the IR key to the signal receiver and press the key button 2 times with an interval of one and a half seconds. The doors should open and close.
2. Now we need to carry out similar actions with the keys that we want to program under the current immobilizer.

All actions neededto spend only once for each bound key. Note that this is a generalized process. If the immobilizer has blocked the start of the Nissan Almera engine or another car, then, perhaps, unlocking and key binding are carried out a little differently. In any case, information about this is in the instructions.

Unlock with central lock control button

Often on the forums, the owners write that the immobilizer blocked the engine start on the Lada Kalina. What to do and how to unlock it? Entering an emergency code usually helps. For this you need:

1. Turn off the ignition. The light should start flashing slowly.
2. Turn on the ignition, after which some lamps will light up and disappear, and the immobilizer lamp will flash rapidly.
3. Press and hold the central lock control button. The signal lamp should stop glowing.
4. When the central lock control button is pressed, the flashing of the lamp will decrease. We keep count of the number of flashes of the lamp and release the button when it matches the first digit of the code.
5. Perform this operation again for all other digits of the code.

If the immobilizer blocked the start of the engine "Priory", "Kalina" or "Lada", and you did everything right to unlock, then the engine can be started. The lamp should go out and glow every 3 seconds, reminding you that the car is not protected.

Are further bans possible?

AfterUnlock the immobilizer can re-lock the car in the following cases:

1. When the battery is disconnected.
2. After 10 seconds after turning off the ignition.

After turning off the ignition, you will need to enter the code again. If it is entered incorrectly 3 times in a row, then the next attempt will be possible in five minutes. Please note that all these steps are not suitable for decoding a coded solenoid valve or a computer. Entering the emergency code will only start the engine.

Other ways

If the immobilizer has blocked the start of the engine of the "Grant" or other cars, then you can contact the service station, where they can either completely turn it off or install a crawler. The latter is able to apply voltage to certain conclusions and thereby close the necessary contacts. Such a device deceives the ECU, and the engine starts successfully.

Professional craftsmen can interfere with the electronics by disconnecting the immobilizer itself from the car's electronics. But if you do it yourself, you can harm the entire system.

In closing

The immobilizer itself is a good anti-theft device that has saved hundreds of cars. Yes, sometimes there are problems with it, which creates a headache for the owner, but they are all solvable. And in general, a problem with an immobilizer is the minimum that can happen to a car. Therefore, you should not be upset. They will be able to solve it, though not at all, but at many service stations.