Tell me about immobilisers

[jgaray09]

So i just bought this 98 Camry XLE and im having trouble with the car. After fixing a broken spark plug in the head, the engine will not turn on.
The engine will crank but not turn on at all.
It was sitting in a parking lot for about 3 months i think and the battery may have been drained at one point.

So far ive checked a number of fuses, relays and the fuel pump, but they were good.

Im starting to suspect maybe its this thing called an immobiliser that i read about.
Im not familiar with it.

What is it? How does it work and if it is preventing my car from turning on, how do i disable it so that i can operate it.

Thanks for your help.

[nogard]

I don't know that there is a way to bypass or disable it. On my wife's 1999 XLE we only had one key when we bought it. It was the key with the chip in it. There is a antenna ring around the metal ignition switch. The key with the chip needs to be with in about two inches of this to transmit the signal back to the ECU.

The solution to my problem was key regular non chip keys cut. Then take the one key I have with a chip and cable tie it under the steering column trim near the antenna. Otherwise I would have had to get a new ECU with matching keys...according to the dealership. I'm sure for a fee there is some lock smith out there that has a way to read the chip code and make copies. I'm not worried about the car getting stolen.

The way you know that the transponder is working is by the security light on the dash. I believe it is after you try to start it if the key is still in proximity of the antenna the security light on the dash will keep flashing. When the key is taken far enough away it goes to a steady light. Hope this helps a little.

[LynchburgCSI]

An immobilizer would NOT let the engine crank. It's not your problem.

Just FYI, though... this is how the wiring looks in a 1994 camry. Note that the black/white wire is cut. This is how the starter is killed. The alarm ecu won't allow current to travel along that wire unless everything is unlocked and all.

[Mister_Perkins]

Originally Posted by jgaray09

So i just bought this 98 Camry XLE and im having trouble with the car. After fixing a broken spark plug in the head, the engine will not turn on.
The engine will crank but not turn on at all.
It was sitting in a parking lot for about 3 months i think and the battery may have been drained at one point.

So far ive checked a number of fuses, relays and the fuel pump, but they were good.

Im starting to suspect maybe its this thing called an immobiliser that i read about.
Im not familiar with it.

What is it? How does it work and if it is preventing my car from turning on, how do i disable it so that i can operate it.

Thanks for your help.

Have you checked to confirm your getting a spark or fuel pressure?

Sounds like the previous post could be correct if your key has a transponder inside of it.

----==

If you have a master key, you can use the following steps to reprogram.

you will need to purchase a blank toyota key w/ transponder from your local locksmith. have him cut the key to the same spec.

Now you have the master transponder / newly cut transponder key in hand. Press the brake and gas pedal at the same time. This lets the anti-theft computer know your programming a new blank key with the new code.

Insert your master transponder key but do not turn the car on. press and release the gas pedal 5 times within a 15 second period.

Press / Release Brake pedal 6 times within 20 seconds of completing step 3. Then remove master Key

After you complete this, the anti-theft computer confirms you own the vehicle.

Insert your new transponder key you cut, making sure not to turn the car on. Push the Gas pedal Once.

Wait for the security light on the dashboard to turn off

Once the light turns off, remove the new transponder key and press the bake pedal once.

Your new key is now programmed.

If the car doesnt start, you have to do all that crap again

===

Try Locking all the doors and opening the door with your key before going all out and trying to reprogram a transponder key. If your alarm doesnt go off it's probably not a problem with your immobiliser

[jgaray09]

Originally Posted by Mister_Perkins

Have you checked to confirm your getting a spark or fuel pressure?

Sounds like the previous post could be correct if your key has a transponder inside of it.

----==

If you have a master key, you can use the following steps to reprogram.

you will need to purchase a blank toyota key w/ transponder from your local locksmith. have him cut the key to the same spec.

Now you have the master transponder / newly cut transponder key in hand. Press the brake and gas pedal at the same time. This lets the anti-theft computer know your programming a new blank key with the new code.

Insert your master transponder key but do not turn the car on. press and release the gas pedal 5 times within a 15 second period.

Press / Release Brake pedal 6 times within 20 seconds of completing step 3. Then remove master Key

After you complete this, the anti-theft computer confirms you own the vehicle.

Insert your new transponder key you cut, making sure not to turn the car on. Push the Gas pedal Once.

Wait for the security light on the dashboard to turn off

Once the light turns off, remove the new transponder key and press the bake pedal once.

Your new key is now programmed.

If the car doesnt start, you have to do all that crap again

===

Try Locking all the doors and opening the door with your key before going all out and trying to reprogram a transponder key. If your alarm doesnt go off it's probably not a problem with your immobiliser

I did check for spark and there is spark. I have not checked fuel pressure but i do know the fuel pump works. I also know that the fuel pump doesnt turn on when i turn the key to crank the engine.

I've also locked and unlocked all the doors with the key that i have.

There is a blinking Theft light in the instrument panel that blinks when im not in the car and the doors are closed (whether they are locked or unlocked) and the light still blinks when im in the car with the key on.
I wonder the the blinking light means that its currently immobilized.

Im going to call a dealer and see what they say. Thanks guys.

[dave1811]

What does your remote key fob have written on it? Is it the port installed Securikey+ system at the Southwestern part of the country? I have a 99 Camry also in the SW area, OKC area. Do you have one red light on the dash for your security system? If so, I have the programming guide for the Securikey+ system I could send to you if that it is. Send me a PM.

Dave