immobilizer disable/bypass

[Gibson99]

I've been thinking of other ways around craig's ECU issue after his transmission swap. What about using a remote start unit to allow it to work? I've never installed a remote start, only basic alarms and keyless systems, so i don't know what all is involved in a remote start system except that it obviously taps into more wires than an alarm would (ie: tach, starter wire, brake pedal, etc...)

any installers think this would work? bear in mind we do not have the master key that the manual trans ecu is looking for, which is the whole problem.

[krook]

i don't think it would work, unless you have the bypass module constantly on.

the remote start module shuts down once you put the key in to drive and hit the brake. (referred to as "key takeover")

therefore, you'd need the module to constantly be sending the signal so you'd have to permanently ground out the activation wire (blue) on the unit. the only problem with that is that the module would be ON 24-7...

welllll, unless you hook up a toggle switch to it......

[TLMNICK]

This would NOT work. You need a master key to program the bypass module which allows the remote starter to work. That being said, if you have a master key to program the bypass module (which you dont), then you wouldn't even need the remote starter.

The only choice you have is to go to the dealer, and have them program your keys to the manual trans ECU.

[Gibson99]

i don't think it would work, unless you have the bypass module constantly on.

the remote start module shuts down once you put the key in to drive and hit the brake. (referred to as "key takeover")

therefore, you'd need the module to constantly be sending the signal so you'd have to permanently ground out the activation wire (blue) on the unit. the only problem with that is that the module would be ON 24-7...

welllll, unless you hook up a toggle switch to it......

no, it could be switched with a simple relay. just have it ground (or get power for that matter) only when the key is in IGN or START positions. that's easy enough.

my question is, without a master key to program into the bypass unit, can it be done? i'm thinking probably not, because if it worked that way, then these bypass units would probably be outlawed in a hurry as a convenient way to bypass any car's system.

back to square one i guess. gotta call back my contact at the dealership and see what he can find out.

[TxBmbleBee]

jason we will figure this out!!!! greg has assured me on this as well.

[TLMNICK]

Read what I wrote above. I install remote starters all the time, and I know exactly how the transponder systems work since I have to bypass them a lot.

Is it possible for you to get the car to a dealer to have them program a key for that ECU?

Is it possible to source an older manual ECU that didn't have a transponder immobilizer?

[JamesT]

you could try this:

http://scionlife.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5977

[Gibson99]

Is it possible for you to get the car to a dealer to have them program a key for that ECU?

Is it possible to source an older manual ECU that didn't have a transponder immobilizer?

the car runs n drives with the auto ecu but of course has CEL due to the absent automatic transmission. problem is, this ecu came from a 99, and 99's can't be reprogrammed unless you have one of the master keys it already knows about. so that's a dead end.

we tried the non-immobilizer ecu out of my m/t 98, but that doesn't work either - the immob. one has 5 plugs and mine has 4, and it's not just a matter of one missing plug - all of the plugs are shaped completely different.

thanks for your help everyone! we've located a 2000 ECU that CAN be reprogrammed without an existing master key, so that's the next step.