Technical Immobilizer, spare key etc.

[Batfalcon]

I don't want to mess with a relative thread, so I put this one to make some technical clarifications.

I believe that the immobilizer circuit is somewhere inside the key, most likely molded inside the black plastic holder. (Not sure if it's there or not).
1. Do you know where is it placed?
2. How does it work? I mean, how the ecu recognizes that this particular key, that it is inserted in the key hole, and is allowed (by technical means) to turn the lock, is the proper one and permits the engine to start.
3. How does the emergency start work? I haven't read it in the manual. I'm 99% sure that it is not mentioned in the manual I was given.

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

1 - In the key forb

2 - Small capsule chip in the key transmits a 'code' when in proxsimity (sp?) of the immobiliser pickup ring located around the ignition barrel. All immobiliser activation does is inhibit the fuel pump from operating (and possibly the injectors, not sure on this one).

3 - My understanding of the emergency start procedure is manually entering the code, using X number of brake pedal, or gas pedal pressed for each digit in the code - I'm not 100% exactly what the method is though.

 

[Batfalcon]

Thanks for the answer.
What's "forb" ?
Where should this code be written? Somewhere on piece of paper? How many digits?

 

[Batfalcon]

Found it!!!

It's a 5 digit code, written on a card with a key designed on it.
It also mentions a "mechanical code", (which is something unknown to me).
Called the mechanic and told me that you must "create" the digits using the throttle pedal all the way down.

It's clearly mentioned on the card "DO NOT LEAVE THIS CARD INSIDE THE CAR".

P.S. Impossible to test it though...

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

The mechanical code is the digital code of the key blade used when laser cutting it

Forb (or fob, not sure which is correct) is the bet between the metal key blade and the key ring, the bit of the key you turn when starting the car

 

[Batfalcon]

You mean that, if I ever wanted a new factory key, I should give them the "mechanical code", (among other things I suppose).

 

[Most Easterly Pandas]

You mean that, if I ever wanted a new factory key, I should give them the "mechanical code", (among other things I suppose).

Yep, that's how Fiat order replacements.

 

[vra]

I don't want to mess with a relative thread, so I put this one to make some technical clarifications.

I believe that the immobilizer circuit is somewhere inside the key, most likely molded inside the black plastic holder. (Not sure if it's there or not).
1. Do you know where is it placed?
2. How does it work? I mean, how the ecu recognizes that this particular key, that it is inserted in the key hole, and is allowed (by technical means) to turn the lock, is the proper one and permits the engine to start.
3. How does the emergency start work? I haven't read it in the manual. I'm 99% sure that it is not mentioned in the manual I was given.

hello mate! i managed to do a little research for you ...
1. check this image.. for the location of the chip inside a normal manual key .. ( this is just an example i got you from google, just for you to have an idea about it.. )

2 & 3. you can check this video for more information regarding your questions..

hope it helps mate!

 

[BruceG]

Regarding the emergency procedure, you will find this explained in the handbook. It is an involved process. You will need to know the code before you start. It does warn you that this procedure really is for an emergency. Once you have gone through the emergency procedure, should you be successful, you will need to take the car and key to a Fiat garage for reprogramming...or repeat the emergency start procedure each time you want to start the car! Not something you want to do!

Of note - I could not start my Panda this morning using the normal remote control key. It had worked fine yesterday, and all other days, however this morning the engine cranked but there was no evidence of it wanting to start. I noticed that the engine did not 'make that priming noise' when I unlocked the doors using the remote...odd I thought. Anyway, much scratching of head, locking and unlocking later I confessed to thinking that gremlins had struck or the battery was marginal on voltage and thus not allowing the car to start. But, I then 'just tried' the spare non-remote key to open the car and start the engine. It worked! The car made that priming noise, and she started sweetly. So it appears that the remote fob has somehow become out of synch with the car. Not a disaster, as I can at least use the car until a suitable time to investigate/fix the remote fob issue.

Great car. It is a 2006 1.2 dynamic, and I get a genuine 55-63mpg on very mixed road driving. Brilliant, fun and so, so cheeky. Just as Fiats should be.

 

[Batfalcon]

Is the method mentioned in the handbook? Where???

P.S. Thank you both for your posts

 

[Yolanda]

I realize that this is an old thread but I have been reading through the owners hand book and got to the emergency engine start page. Unfortunately I don't have the emergency start code. The engine starting is fine at the moment and I have 2 blue non remote keys.
However if the immobilizer lock light ever comes on and won't go off after a few tries of the ignition system reset procedure what would I have to do.

Any ideas anyone.

 

[koalar]

I realize that this is an old thread but I have been reading through the owners hand book and got to the emergency engine start page. Unfortunately I don't have the emergency start code. The engine starting is fine at the moment and I have 2 blue non remote keys.
However if the immobilizer lock light ever comes on and won't go off after a few tries of the ignition system reset procedure what would I have to do.

Any ideas anyone.

Very reliable

Keys fail occasionally

and on the Punto, same system. The antenna occasionally fail

as long as you have a working spare key its not a problem worth worrying about.


anyone who hasn't a spare key that starts the car I would advise them to get one ASAP. Its quite cheap to clone a key but very expensive to do a all keys lost.

 

[Yolanda]

Thank's Koalar for the prompt reply. The chap I bought the car from did say that occasionally one of the keys didn't always work so he kept that one as the spare.
However when I've tried said key it always works so obviously it's an intermittent fault.
If I wanted to replace the key would I have to go to a main dealer ( I do have the key number ) and how would I go about cloning it.

Jeff

 

[koalar]

cloning a key to start the car is easy

any auto locksmith put the original key in there equipment and reads the original key. They then swap for the new key and write the same information to it


Even places like Timpson can do this fairly easily and cheaply.




Remote opening is a different kettle of fish. By far the easiest way is by purchasing a preprogramed key from Fiat. Read expensive. This then has to programed into the body computer using the CODE. Here in the UK the CODE isnt given to the new owner. You have to ask for it from the main dealer who may or may not charge an admin fee normally free-£15 + VAT. Lots of software can use this CODE including MultiECUscan


There are a few pieces of equipment that can read the CODE direct from the body computer. The cheapest I have seen is Zed Bull Full at around £1000

you can read body computer and manually programme a remote to directly bypass buying a dealer preprogramed key. However there is only a handful of people that can and have the correct equipment.