So... does the engine immobilizer engage when the key is put in? Maybe when its taken out ? (I know the green key led that flashes when you take the key out is the immobilizer)... Does it engage based on your key FOB being used or not used (I ask because a friend who has an Acura CL couldnt start his motor until he unlocked his car using the key FOB, and the dealership told him it was because of the engine immobilizer working with the key FOB (kinda hard to believe)...

Also, I ask because I want an aftermarket alarm system, Without losing the engine immobilizer... thanks for the input

 

The immobilizer circuitry is in the key, not the fob. (It has to be very close to the ignition lock for the car to start.)

Since the fob has nothing to do with it, you can put in your aftermarket alarm without worrying about the immobilizer.

 

I consider that our cars are "immobilized" all the time until the right key is put into the keyhole. It is then, that the system is "un-immobilized".

ps. Moving to "electronics".

 

The immobilizer is always active, meaning it prevents the car from being started except under certain conditions.

When you turn the ignition ON, the ECM (car's computer) reads the coded information stored in the head of the key, (which must be very close to the ignition lock to be read). If the code in the key head matches the code in the ECM then the ECM will allow the engine to start.

Once the engine is started, the immobilizer circuit is not used again till the next re-start.

If you read the book it says it immobilizes the car by defeating the fuel pump relay, but it does more than that. I suspect it also defeats the injectors and possibly the ignition because I have tried bypassing the pump circuit and forcing the fuel pump to run and it still won't start.

.

 

Great info.

 

Yeah... great info... thanks a lot! That def. answers my question... also... Xviper... how come my ID says Im a Enthusiast / Guest? (Im hi-jacking my own thread)

 

PS: I filled in my car info. etc. in my profile, but still it says Im an Enthusiast / Guest

 

Since it's your thread, I guess you can hi-jack it if you like.
To become an "owner", you need to put in a valid VIN of your car. If your car was owned by a previous board member, the site sees this as a duplication and won't let you use it. If this is the case, you need to PM HondaGal with your VIN and who used to own the car before you (if you know) and she will make the changes for you. She may be busy, so give her a bit of time.
To not be a "guest" you have to buy a "membership" from the site membership page BUT, this feature is not working right now, though you can try it anyway. It may not be fixed till the site implements the next upcoming generation of the program that runs it.

 

Thanks! I'll type the VIN in soon enough