Immobilizer- How do I tell if I have one?

[Graplr]

Hi all,
Newbie here, so be easy! I searched but didn't find anything.

On my significant other's 1998 Toyota Avalon-

I'm going to be installing an aftermarket remote starter/alarm/etc.

I don't know if I need a bypass unit because I'm not sure if there is an immobilzer on the car.


So my question, how can I tell definitively if the car has an immobilizer and/or a chip in the key?

Thanks!
Ryan

[mmejia]

You could probably go to an Ace hardware where they make copies of your keys. They usually have this little machine/computer that you stick your key into and will tell you if your key has a chip in it.

[Graplr]

Thanks. I'm going to bring it to a hardware store or the dealer tonight or tomorrow to see if it has a chip. I think it does but I am hoping it doesn't.

If it does I'm going to have to get another key made to be used in the immobilzer bypass for the remote start since she has only one key.

If it does have an immobilzer, can I order a chipped key off ebay, cut it at a hardware store and program it myself? Or does it require a special digital tool only found at the dealership?

[desentrix]

or you can look in your manual, and it ought to tell you whether or not it has one.