Sometimes the cause of engine blocking may be accidental activation of secondary functions, for example, incorrect settings for the autostart of the Starline alarm. This process will be helped by a special LED, which is installed on the windshield and is a corresponding indicator, as well as the inscription “Immo” on the key fob screen. This inscription indicates that the built-in immobilizer prevents you from removing the lock and you need to do this manually, directly from the key fob.
The cause of this problem may be the activation of two-step unlocking. To disable this mode, you need to press the third key for a long time until a double short signal. Then key three is briefly clicked again. Then the first key is pressed for a few seconds. This procedure allows you to remove security functions. How to unlock the buttons on the Starline A93 key fob.
What to do if the alarm system blocks the engine from starting with the key
If the car owner is faced with the fact that the car will not start and the engine is blocked, it is necessary to conduct a thorough general vehicle diagnostics (OBD). Perhaps the reason is the standard immobilizer. The fact that the security complex is to blame is evidenced by:
- incorrect blinking frequency of the signal LED;
- signal of a closed lock on the key fob even after executing the “open” command;
- flashing car dimensions;
- turning on the sound siren;
- lack of response to pressing keys on the control panel.
If the reason is incorrect blocking by the car alarm, then you can disable the security functions as follows:
- The car door opens with a key. After this, an alarm sounds and the car’s dimensions begin to flash;
- within 20 seconds you must turn on the ignition and press the Valet service button three times. The owner must know its location - if the installers did not tell it, it is necessary to check: the place near the pedal assembly, the space under the steering column, the inside of the compartments for small items on the door cards, the central tunnel between the seats of the first row, the space under the front decorative panel, near the fuse box. If the complex is programmed with an individual code, the number of presses must correspond to the first digit of the code;
- after switching the ignition, you need to enter the second digit of the code;
- the vehicle will exit the emergency security mode and the safety precautions will be removed.
Remote engine lock
Also, if there is a GPS module, the car owner can remotely lock the car. This is true if the car is already in the hands of a thief. Advanced Starline systems block when the speed drops to 10 km/h. Otherwise, the design of the car may block the operation of the braking system when the engine is turned off. Accordingly, for security reasons, this is not implemented.
But there is an intermittent blocking function - the operation of the gas pump stops at intervals of half a minute, so it seems that the gas in the tank is running out. Activation of remote engine blocking occurs through a mobile application, or via a phone call or SMS with the appropriate voice or digital command.
The wrench on the Starline key fob is lit
Can Starline block the engine from starting after a dead battery?
There may be several reasons for unauthorized engine blocking:
- failure of the immobilizer bypass;
- breakdown of the central control unit or contact failure in the CAN bus;
- malfunction of the relay blocking the engine start;
- Alarm wiring failure.
The vehicle's power supply must also be checked. Due to a low battery charge, there may be problems starting the engine. The fact is that when disarming the car, the dialog code may be distorted or incomplete. Accordingly, the engine may also not start.
Fuel pump blocking by alarm
The blocking relay in the Starline A91 system can be installed on the fuel pump power circuit. Accordingly, it may malfunction - the engine may not start at all or start for a few seconds and stall. If such malfunctions occur, it is necessary to check the corresponding relay for proper contact.
How to remove the fuel pump block
You can remove the lock by turning off the lock relay and connecting the wires directly.
It is also advisable for owners of Starline A94 and A96 systems to check the serviceability of the immobilizer bypass, which may be the cause of the malfunction. The likely problem is broken wires or inconsistent wire contact. In this case, you will need to check the cable for the relay contact and the fuel pump using a light bulb (12 Volts). The tester will not help here, because it will not show the presence of a bad contact. Often the problem arises from the fuel module plug, which must provide reliable contact.
Independent troubleshooting of alarm systems
- It is often possible to fix the malfunction and remove the engine lock yourself if you can detect blown fuses. This problem often leads to malfunctions of the alarm system. The fuses must be checked; if a problematic element is detected, the blown fuse must be replaced with a known good one.
- Malfunctions in the operation of the alarm can also be associated with insufficient battery charge or loose terminals on the battery contacts. In this case, the battery is still able to sluggishly crank the starter, but the engine blocking may already work and further prevent the engine from starting.
When the battery is discharged, a protective function can be activated that blocks the engine from starting as a result of a power outage or voltage drop in the vehicle's electrical circuit.
- Another step is to check the limit switches (limit switches), which are located under the hood and trunk lid. Moisture ingress or oxidation of the limit switch often causes an incorrect signal to the alarm control unit, which leads to engine blocking. Please note that unprofessional installation of alarms and limit switches, as well as improper engine washing can lead to malfunctions of electrical equipment.
Door locking when driving
Some owners of the Starline A91, A63 or A92 complex have a problem when the system does not close the doors when moving or, conversely, blocks them even without receiving the appropriate commands or reaching a certain speed. If the doors do not close, then you need to check the limit switches - perhaps they are faulty or the contact has come loose. Because of this, the central unit does not receive the command and cannot block.
About installing Pandora DX 50
If the doors are locked forcibly, without commands or high speed, then this is a programming error or a glitch in the system. In this case, you need to visit a service center, where professional installers will sort out the issue and fix the problem.
How to disable door lock
The function of automatically locking doors when the ignition is turned on is not always useful and many owners tend to disable it. Deactivation of this option on the Starline A91 Keyless alarm system is carried out through the programming menu. To do this you need:
- press the Valet button five times with the ignition off, and then turn it on again;
- listen to five vehicle beeps confirming the correct transition to this mode;
- select the appropriate programming table using the third button on the remote control;
- select option No. 2 – automatic control of door locks;
- set the required parameter (4 – disabled);
- turn off the ignition so that the system remembers the commands.
Now every time the car is armed, the doors will remain open.
Reasons why the engine is blocked by the anti-theft system
In the normal alarm mode, the lock is triggered when you try to open the door or from any of the sensors.
After disarming the vehicle, the engine can be started again. But it happens that the failure occurs due to the fault of the equipment, as a result of which the owner himself cannot use his car:
- malfunction of the alarm itself;
- defects in the installation of the system on the vehicle resulting from poor quality work;
- system failures in conditions of radio interference, both from natural background and from the actions of criminal equipment;
- random software glitches that disappear after a restart.
To clarify what is happening, you can check how the alarm performs its other functions, for example, opening doors or turning on light and sound alarms.
What to do if StarLine does not close the doors
If the car, on the contrary, does not close the doors, then this option is configured in a similar way, through the programming menu for Starline A91 or A94 car alarms. The transition to this mode is carried out in the same way - with the ignition off, press the Valet key five times. After turning on, use the third button to select the desired menu, press the confirmation key, and then select the appropriate option. For correct operation of the door lock, the value is set to one, two or three.
If this does not help, you need to check the door limit switches, the serviceability of the power locks, as well as special activators that receive signals directly from the central locking unit. A small yellow wire should be connected to the CBZ, which guarantees voltage to the locks. If it is cut or broken, it must be reconnected.
The alarm blocks the engine from starting. What to do?
Like all electronic devices, alarms can sometimes cause errors, also commonly referred to as breakdowns. They can arise for various reasons and manifest themselves in anything. It happens that the alarm simply does not lock the car, and in the worst case, blocks the engine from starting.
Some drivers heard a loud security alarm while the car was moving. Such situations are unusual and quite rare, but they do happen. In this article, we would like to tell you in detail what to do in cases where the alarm is blocking the engine from starting, and share some tips and recommendations on what to do to fix it.
Reasons for blocking the alarm
If this happened to your car, it could be due to the following reasons:
- Immobilizer malfunction, i.e. Autostart error.
- Starter malfunction.
- The power or electrical wiring is not installed correctly, sometimes this is due to faulty wiring.
- There has been an attempted car theft that you may not even be aware of.
- Digital communication via the CAN bus is interrupted.
- The battery in the emergency key fob is discharged, which means the security system is faulty.
- For some reasons, the problem may be due to outdated software, in which case the software needs to be updated.
Sometimes the engine may not ignite due to a system error caused by the low battery level of the alarm key fob. This is because the signal is sent with a corrupted cipher due to low power. Therefore, the door can be unlocked while other systems remain locked.
To determine the cause of the problem, the first step is to replace the battery and then conduct further investigation.
First, replace the battery in the alarm key fob.
Car alarm breakdowns begin after 5-7 years. It may break earlier, since the service life depends on the quality of installation work and the alarm itself.
What to do if the alarm is blocking the engine from starting
The first thing you need to understand is the reason for the engine stopping when starting, since there can be many underlying reasons. It is advisable to carry out computer diagnostics of the engine, since the problem may lie in the built-in immobilizer.
Immobilizer.
For example, in BMW cars this module is capable of blocking the operation of the internal combustion engine. In other cars, the immobilizer disables the starter and fuel supply system. Other components of the car could also fail, which needs to be checked using computer diagnostics.
How do you know if the engine is blocking the alarm? Here are the most basic signs:
- The indicator blinks faster or, conversely, much slower.
- Loud beep when trying to start the engine.
- Automatically turns on the light alarm.
- Car alarm keys do not work properly.
- When the vehicle is unlocked, the key ring displays lock information.
- The control unit does not respond to the remote control buttons at all.
If replacing the battery doesn't work, your best bet is to reset it to factory settings. To do this, you will definitely need instructions for the security system that is installed on your car. This manual usually comes in an alarm box, it is recommended to keep it in the glove box as you may need it at any time. If you ever lose it, you can find a manual online, but make sure it's for your model.
If the device does not respond to the signal from the remote control, it can be reset using the valet button. It is usually installed under the driver's left knee, but can be located in another location.
One of the button locations
Here is the standard algorithm for disarming a car: turn on/off the ignition, then press the hidden button twice. Different manufacturers do this differently, so sometimes a PIN may be required.
Important to remember:
- Tell everyone in the car how to turn off the alarm and codes.
- Remember, or better yet, write down the address of the car service center where the alarm is installed.
- If you buy a car secondhand, then explain everything about the codes set on the alarm system, otherwise you will have to reset it in the future.
The above tips will definitely help you in case of emergency. Most often, installers know how to correct the situation because they have already completed the installation work. If you have a system failure, you can at least contact us by phone and ask for advice. But the best option would be to contact the car service directly.
An unusual option for blocking the engine is also possible, for example, a satellite alarm is installed in the car. In this case, the launch of the engine may be blocked due to insufficient funds in the subscriber's account.
Satellite signaling
What happens is that you get up in the morning and suspect nothing, then you walk up to the car and the engine doesn’t start. Therefore, pay attention to what kind of safety system you have, especially when buying a used car.
If all the previously described methods did not help, then you should move on to technical methods of solving the problem.
Hood lock
Advanced Starline B9 models have the option of blocking the engine compartment. This is necessary so that an attacker cannot get to the car battery, remove the wires or deactivate the sound siren. This relay is included, but if additional reliability is required, universal electromechanical locks can be purchased and installed separately. They are connected to the security complex via a special connector, interact with the control panel and can be connected to the central control unit of the complex.
The car does not start due to an alarm: how to remove the lock
The owner of a car, when buying a new one, tries to protect it as much as possible from theft or theft of valuables from the interior and uses all the security means available to him. The desire to protect one’s iron horse is well demonstrated in the film “Beware of the Car,” where the owner installs a bear trap on the pedals to protect against theft of a GAZ-21 Volga. This was a long time ago, but now modern cars are equipped with a standard anti-theft system (immobilizers) right off the assembly line, and additionally install an external alarm system that can block the engine from starting. Both of them are based on the operation of electronics, which can cause malfunctions and a situation arises with working engine systems when the car does not want to start due to an alarm.
Will be useful: Do engine additives help?
StarLine starter lock
The alarm system has additional protection systems that block the operation of the starter and protect it from failure. For example, if the owner remotely started the engine, and then got into the car, inserted the key into the ignition and turned it, the starter will not operate.
This function in the Starline A91 complex is set through the programming menu. Car owner first:
- with the ignition off, press the Valet service key five times;
- the ignition is turned on, the car emits five sound and light signals;
- short presses of the second and third keys select the corresponding programming table (SF);
- button three is pressed for a long time and then briefly until a melodic signal appears;
- the corresponding function No. 12 is selected and parameter No. 4 is set;
- exit and memorization of parameters occurs automatically, you just need to turn off the ignition.
The starter blocking relay is included in the alarm kit and is connected separately via additional channel 5.
How to disable the starter lock on the alarm
Disabling the starter lock on the alarm can be done in several ways.
- Replace the power supply element of the control panel. After this, the signals will become stronger and the transceiver will be able to receive them without distorting the dialogue code;
- using the Valet service button and the standard key. In this case, the security functions are removed in the emergency mode described above;
- Remove the terminal from the battery and start it with another battery. The fact is that the alarm power comes to the positive terminal and when it is removed, the security functions are deactivated;
- turn off the central control unit of the system. As a rule, installers place it under the front panel. Once all connectors are removed, the alarm stops working. After connecting the wires of the standard wiring, you can start the car without problems. But this option is temporary and the problem must be corrected with the help of qualified specialists at a service center.
About disabling Starline A93
How to unlock a car
There is a certain sequence of actions in such cases, which should start with checking the battery in the remote control and moving on to a successful solution to the problem or traveling on a tow truck to an auto electrician.
Disabling the system using the service button from the interior
The alarm has a special emergency reset and shutdown button. It is called differently, override, jack, or simply a service button. The driver must know where it is located, as well as the algorithm for its use.
On the subject: All ways to turn off the alarm in a car without a key fob
To access the button you will have to open the door with a mechanical key. To reset the system, you need to know the PIN code, which is dialed by successive presses while turning the ignition on and off. This code is set by the alarm manufacturer and can be changed by the owner for greater security. How this is done is described in the instructions for the specific device.
If all actions are performed correctly, the car will be disarmed and if there are no other faults, the engine will start. If you don’t have instructions, you can get them from the Internet or contact an auto electrician.
Accidental activation of the engine lock function
If additional system functions are accidentally activated, service information appears on the remote control. An additional source may be the blinking mode of the control light on the front panel.
Different devices indicate this in their own way, but in general, setting the car to security, disabling all additional functions and disarming it again should help. The procedure for programming the key fob is also indicated in the instructions.
Circuit breakers
Most units are designed in such a way that they continue to perform a minimum of security functions even if the supply voltage is lost. The starter or fuel pump may not start, or there may be no power to the common positive buses of the injectors and ignition coils. It is necessary to check the condition of the fuse in the power supply circuit of the security unit.
Locking relay price
If you want to fully unleash the potential of the security system, and also install a blocking relay, it can be purchased separately. The cost of the unit depends on the part index, as well as the city of purchase.
| Relay | Minimum price, rub. Moscow | Minimum price, rub. Saint Petersburg |
| R2 | 1500 | 1450 |
| R3 | 1900 | 2000 |
| R4 | 2350 | 2200 |
| R6 | 4550 | 4700 |
Engine won't start due to immobilizer?
Hello. Today I wanted to talk about the standard alarm system (immobilizer
), which is installed on vehicles by the manufacturer. Briefly touch on the principle of operation, breakdowns and their elimination associated with the immobilizer. Let's look at the immobilizer using the VAZ family of cars as an example.
Brief information.
Immobilizer is a standard anti-theft device designed to block the engine control unit in the event of an unauthorized attempt to start the engine; when leaving the factory, all immobilizers are in an untrained state.
Then they are activated before sale. In the case of VAZ family cars, the kit includes 2 black (working) keys and one red (training) key.
On the latest models, with regards to Vesta and X-Rey, the kit includes one working key with buttons and a second training key without buttons.
The immobilizer communicates with the engine electronic control unit (ECU).
The immobilizer allows or prohibits engine starting.
If reading from the working key was successful, then startup is allowed.
If you try to start without disarming the system, the immobilizer blocks the operation of the fuel pump, ignition system, and starter.
On 2110-2115, Kalina and Niva Chevrolets, the APS-4 and APS-6 immobilizer was installed. On Priora, the immobilizer is already built into the electrical package unit.
When learning a key, information in the form of a code is written into the eeprom
(eeprom is a non-volatile memory that retains data even when the power is turned off) of the engine control unit.
The immobilizer itself also has an eeprom, which contains information about two trained keys. This creates a set: keys, immobilizer, ECU.
As stated above, if the immobilizer does not work correctly, the car simply will not start. There are a number of reasons why the standard alarm may fail:
- Severely drained battery. In this case, electronic debris may be registered in the eeprom and the engine will not start;
- The learning key should be kept away from the ignition switch, as it may re-enter the code into the eeprom;
- Damage to the immobilizer unit. The immo block itself may enter codes into the ECU and the engine will not start.
On the instrument panel there is an indication of the standard alarm in the form of an icon
cars with key:
- When the ignition is turned on, the indication light lights up for 1-2 seconds and goes out - this means the code has been read and the engine will start;
- When the ignition is turned on, the immo display begins to blink when the key is turned to the starter position or continuously when the ignition is on;
- When the ignition is turned on, the indication lamp lights up for 10 seconds and goes out - this happens after cleaning the eeproma in the ECU.
If the immobilizer fails, you must remove the connector from it.
and
clean the eeprom area of the engine control unit.
This requires special equipment. In some blocks, you can enter the value FF in all cells. In others, the eeprom should be cleared only at certain addresses.
If the engine starts after the cleaning procedure, you can try to enter the codes again using the learning key.
Those who no longer need the standard alarm system can remove the connector from the immobilizer. After removing the connector, you need to bridge pins 9 and 18 in it.
This is necessary to restore k-line to establish communication
between the diagnostic equipment and the engine control unit.
Briefly about imported cars, then if the engine does not start, the firmware is written to the ECU without polling the immobilizer.
I hope the article will be useful to car enthusiasts.
Source
What is this, an immobilizer?
How is this device different from a conventional security system? First of all, 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 from close range, and not remotely, as is the case with a conventional alarm. This means that when the door is opened, attackers are not able to intercept the signal coming from the device’s key fob. To intercept it, you need to be directly in the car.
Please note that 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 it’s easy to steal a car with an existing copy of the key fob. 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. They are installed in hidden places. And if you install the immobilizer correctly, it is almost impossible to determine its type and location. But that's not all. Some types of devices have an anti-robbery function that does not even require the participation of the owner.
