Theft of your vehicle is practically impossible without an immobilizer, which renders the original key and keyfob useless to would-be thieves. It is common practice for auto thieves to hot-wire stolen vehicles. They couldn’t possibly steal the car by just hot-wiring it now that the immobilizer system is installed. This security measure is built into cars to stop them from being stolen.
Removing the immobilizer system from the ECU may be necessary in certain cases. In this article, you will find out how to remove the immobilizer from the ECU and also why someone would want to do so.
How to remove immobilizer from ECU
You will need the following tools before you can follow the detailed instructions on how to remove an immobilizer from a vehicle.
Everything You’ll Need: Tools
- Plastic trim removal tool
- Flat and start head screwdriver
- Cutter
- Pliers
Step 1: Take off the cover of the steering column
Step into your car and take a seat behind the wheel. From where you’re seated, lower the steering column to gain access to all the parts and complete the task. To reach the wiring harness that links to the immobilizer, you must first remove the cover.
Step 2: Get a hold of the immobilizer chain
Finding the immobilizer unit requires following the wiring harness to its end. Take great care not to confuse any other wire with the immobilizer wire. There is usually a knot in the wiring harness leading to the immobilizer.
Step 3: Get rid of the wire by cutting it
Find the fuse and cut the wire there. Obtain a side cutter and cut it off if it becomes trapped. Once you cut the cable, the ME6 immobilizer will be revealed. Cut the insulation surrounding the wire with a Stanley blade.
Step 4: Remove the key from the ignition
Find the 12-volt permanent feed that, when you turn the key, sends electricity to the ignition switch, and disconnect it. So that you have adequate space to adjust the immobilizer, this is necessary.
Step 5: Grasp the wire that activates the trigger
Prior to programming the dongle in the receiver, make sure you’re facing the trigger wire, which blocks electrical voltage from reaching the immobilizer. Separate the two mounds of dirt by 12 millimeters to expose the sizable fuse box. Disconnect the battery and then cut the ignition connector’s two wires.
Safety Precautions
Consider the legal, security, and safety ramifications before removing your car’s immobilizer. Therefore, remove your immobilizer with extreme care. Car theft is a real possibility if you disconnect them, even though they are installed for security reasons. Take these measures to ensure your safety and security.
Take the negative cable off of the battery to keep the ECU from being shorted.
Wear gloves and googles
Avoid damaging the plastic clips by using the correct equipment.
To ensure proper re-ordering following removal, make a note of the connections before cutting any wires.
Conclusion
So far, you have seen the streamlined procedure for removing the immobilizer from the ECU. Make sure the immobilizer is completely out of the car by testing it once you’ve removed it.
See if you can get the vehicle started with a spare key that does not have a transponder chip. After removing the immobilizer, the car should start.
A different approach, however, requires removing the engine control module immobilizer by soldering it in place. You shouldn’t try this if you’re not an expert. So, it’s best to have a mechanic take care of it.
