Possible problems with the immobilizer and their solutions
If we conditionally divide all the problems with immobilizers, we get two categories:
- Software failure;
- Hardware failure.
Software failures are characterized by all sorts of malfunctions in the software and the appearance of various errors in the operation of the microprocessor. Also, a software failure will occur if the signal synchronization between the control unit and the transponder is disrupted.
The category of hardware failures includes all kinds of malfunctions associated with a breakdown of the control unit microcircuit or a break in the communication bus (it connects the control unit, actuators and wiring of car systems that are subject to blocking).
Before trying to independently find out the cause of the immobilizer failure, you need to diagnose the car’s electronics. The very first thing you need to pay attention to is the battery charge level. If it is low, then there is a high probability that the immobilizer will not work correctly.
Next, you need to take into account that the device will only work correctly with the original transponder key. If the car owner tried to create some kind of copy of the key, then it can either transmit the wrong signal, or it will fail.
You also need to make sure that the failure of the immo is not related to the connection of additional electronics in the engine compartment. Additional electronics may interfere with the operation of the control unit. If such equipment has been installed, you can temporarily disable it and check the functionality of the lock. When restoring functionality, the reason is obvious: you need to either turn off the additional equipment or install it in a place where it will not cause interference.
IMMO error.
The reasons for the incorrect operation of the immo or its failure are:
- Dead battery;
- The battery was disconnected when the ignition was turned on;
- Improper synchronization in the operation of the engine and immobilizer control units. This often happens after replacing the power unit;
- The immobilizer fuse has blown;
- Software errors. If the immo error appears on the panel, but the car still starts reliably, you still need to seek help from specialists so that they can find the cause. Otherwise, the device will stop working due to a large number of errors, and the control unit will have to be reprogrammed;
- Low battery in the key;
- Transponder failure;
- Loss of contact between the receiver and the antenna (usually due to shaking or oxidation of the contacts);
- Wiring break.
What to do if you have problems
Regardless of what kind of breakdown occurs in the immobilizer system, it must be disabled, repaired and reprogrammed by specialists at the service center. If the device is repaired by unqualified workers, this can only make the situation worse.
In some cases, it is even possible that the car’s electronics may fail if the immobilizer is disabled incorrectly. If reprogramming is necessary, the car owner must know the PIN code, which is provided with the vehicle during purchase at the dealership.
If the car was purchased on the secondary market, and the previous owner lost this code, then the new owner is recommended to request a PIN code from the car manufacturer and reconfigure the immobilizer. This will give confidence that no one was able to “steal” the lock signal from the previous car owner.
Of course, when ordering such information, the new owner of the car is required to provide all documents confirming that he is now the legal owner of the vehicle.
Security measures
As we have already noted several times, any work on installation/dismantling of an immo requires special skills and knowledge of car electronics. Therefore, installation or repair should be carried out in specialized service stations.
Since an unscrupulous workshop worker can copy a chip key or a signal from it, it is better that this is either a person who can be trusted, or the service station should be far from the place where the vehicle is used. This way, the hijacker will not have the opportunity to use a copy of the key.
When using the immobilizer, you need to make sure that there are no dubious persons nearby who are sitting at a laptop near the car (if a chip key without a master key is used). Reading devices are available on the black market that a car thief can use.
Where is it located and how to activate it
Lada Granta cars are delivered to showrooms with the immobilizer function deactivated. Salon specialists perform activation at the time of sale, in the presence of the client. Sometimes salon employees forget to do this, or the buyer himself refuses to connect the protection. The vehicle owner needs to know where the immobilizer is located and how to make it active.
The brain of the anti-theft system is located directly in the ignition unit, which allows you to read the owner’s special code from the key. To activate the immobilizer, you need to perform the following sequence of actions:
- close the hood, trunk and all doors in the car;
- insert the training key (with a red mark) into the ignition and turn it until the ignition is activated;
- wait 6 seconds until the light on the instrument panel starts flashing;
- within 6 seconds, remove the training key and insert the working key, start the engine with it.
If everything is done correctly and on time, then this will be followed by 3 signals, and then 2 more. If there is no sound, the operation should be repeated again.
What is the difference between a standard immobilizer and an expensive one?
If an unauthorized attempt is made to start the engine, the standard immobilizer can block the fuel system, ignition, steering wheel or ECU. But when using a standard device, there is a high probability that an experienced thief will easily bypass the protection.
More expensive non-standard immobilizers use non-standard schemes for disabling various components of the car, which greatly complicates the task of selecting a suitable bypass method. To disable the standard immobilizer, some use devices used by emergency services.
Connection
The red wire is the power plus, connect to a circuit that contains +12V voltage when the ignition is on.
Black wire - negative control input (70mA). When a negative potential is applied to this input, the code of the standard transponder key is read. Connect the black wire to the remote start system output that provides chassis potential while the engine is running.
Gray wires - depending on the configuration, connect to the external loop antenna installed around the ignition switch, or wind the antenna from several turns of wire over the standard RFID antenna.
Connection diagram 1
Attach the external loop antenna to the ignition switch cylinder and connect it to the connector at the end of the gray wires
It is important that the distance between the standard RFID antenna and the antenna of the BP-03 module is minimal
Basic connection diagram for StarLine BP-03 immobilizer crawler
Connection diagram 2
The circuit is recommended in cases where installation of a loop antenna is difficult due to the design features of the vehicle. Wind an antenna of several turns of gray wire over the stock RFID antenna on the ignition switch cylinder.
It is important that the distance between the standard RFID antenna and the antenna of the BP-03 module is minimal
An alternative connection diagram for the StarLine BP-03 immobilizer crawler. Recommended in cases where installation of a loop antenna is difficult
Source www.ultrastar.ru
How to disable the Lada Granta immobilizer
If the car has an alarm in addition to basic security, a conflict may arise between the anti-theft systems. In this case, you need to deactivate the immobilizer in the car.
To bypass this function on the Lada Granta, you need to create your own secret code. It will help unlock the engine if the key or other system components malfunction. It is important to remember that in order to carry out the shutdown procedure yourself, the code must be written immediately after activating the protection. To do this you need:
- tightly close all doors in the cabin, including the hood and trunk;
- insert the training key into the ignition, start and stop the engine;
- rapid flashing of the diode indicates the start of the procedure;
- in 6 seconds you need to remove the training key and insert a valid key, activate the ignition;
- a three-time beep will confirm the correctness of the action;
- wait for 2 more signals and turn off the engine;
- within 6 seconds the working key is removed, the training key is placed again and the engine is started;
- wait for 3 and then 2 more signals;
- turn off the engine and wait for 1 more signal (after this the LED should blink even faster);
- the ignition is reactivated with the red key, the Check Engine light should go out within 1 minute;
- then enter a six-digit password by pressing the accelerator pedal as many times as there should be in the code number;
- between the numbers, the pedal is held for at least 5 seconds until the CE light goes out;
- After recording all the numbers, the ignition is turned off.
To enter the code, the engine is started, nothing is pressed until the CE lamp stops lighting. The code is then entered by pressing the accelerator pedal as described above.
In this way, the immobilizer on the Grant is turned off until the next engine start. If more than 5 seconds have passed between turning off the engine and starting again, you will have to repeat the code entry.
- The immobilizer has blocked the engine from starting, what should I do?
- Immobilizer bypass
- Installation of Lada Granta radio
- Immobilizer Needle
Purpose
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The StarLine BP-03 module is designed to automatically disable the standard RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system when starting the engine remotely.
The RFID system is used on most modern cars. A transponder is built into the car's standard ignition key, the code of which is interrogated when the engine is started with the key. If the engine is started remotely or automatically, this system will not allow the engine to start. The VR-03 module is designed to solve this problem, automatically transmitting the standard transponder code during remote engine start.
To operate the BP-03 module, a spare key with a transponder is required, which can be ordered from the supplier of cars of this brand.
Tips for proper installation
At the same time, we must be aware that attackers can do the same thing and know many ways to bypass both the alarm system and the immobilizer:
- blocked fuel pump on the manual - they will start it with a pusher;
- on the machine - the voltage will be supplied directly;
- They will do the same with a blocked fuel pump - they will supply voltage from the nearby rear lights.
So if you want to become a master installing immobilizers, you will have to improve your knowledge in terms of studying all the electrical circuits of the car. How they work and what they react to. You will have to understand how the ECU will behave if it loses some of the signals from blocked sensors and whether it will decorate the display with scary signals and illumination. What will the automotive diagnostic system demonstrate? Attackers know how to use a scanner for preventive diagnostics of its codes.
The desire to do everything with your own hands is very commendable, but it would be nice to add skill to it. If there is a fear that it will not be enough, then it is better to turn to professionals.
Possible faults
All immobilizer malfunctions can be divided into software and hardware. If the software fails, even when attempting an authorized start of the power unit, the electronics may block its operation. This occurs due to a lack of synchronization between the immobilizer control unit and the vehicle's ECU. Such malfunctions can be eliminated by flashing the key fob and immo control unit.
In the second case (hardware failure), any element of the system fails. This could be a burnt-out microcircuit, a broken wire, poor contact, or similar failures.
Regardless of the type of breakdown, it is not recommended to try to fix it yourself if you do not have experience in carrying out such work. Only a professional can determine what the problem with the immo is, and then only with certain equipment. To do this, the chip key and immobilizer control unit are diagnosed.
