Do our cars have an immobilizer or not? Yesterday, I tried an experiment and...
03-31-2007, 09:36 AM
#1
AudiWorld Super User
Thread Starter
Do our cars have an immobilizer or not? Yesterday, I tried an experiment and...
I think we do.
My car is a 93 with an infrared remote. I opened the car with the remote, sat in the car, put the key in the ignition and started the car. (Normal).
Then I rolled down the drivers window and shut the car off. I put my hand out the window and locked the car with the remote (still sitting in the car). With the car locked, I then tried to start the car. NOTHING. All the dash lights came on but no cranking.
Then I pulled the door lock up and tried again. Still nothing.
Then I unlocked the car with the remote and tried starting the car. VAROOM! Okay, back to normal.
Then I locked the car with the key (by leaning out the window) and repeated the process. NOTHING.
So I would say as long as the car has been locked, no matter how somebody gets in the car, unless they used a key or the remote to open the door, they are not going to be able to start the car (well, at least no easily).
On that basis, I am going to my insurer to get a lower premium (after owning the car since 1998).
D'oh.
My car is a 93 with an infrared remote. I opened the car with the remote, sat in the car, put the key in the ignition and started the car. (Normal).
Then I rolled down the drivers window and shut the car off. I put my hand out the window and locked the car with the remote (still sitting in the car). With the car locked, I then tried to start the car. NOTHING. All the dash lights came on but no cranking.
Then I pulled the door lock up and tried again. Still nothing.
Then I unlocked the car with the remote and tried starting the car. VAROOM! Okay, back to normal.
Then I locked the car with the key (by leaning out the window) and repeated the process. NOTHING.
So I would say as long as the car has been locked, no matter how somebody gets in the car, unless they used a key or the remote to open the door, they are not going to be able to start the car (well, at least no easily).
On that basis, I am going to my insurer to get a lower premium (after owning the car since 1998).
D'oh.
03-31-2007, 11:20 AM
#5
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Correct, like all VW/Audi of this vintage as far as I know.
The wiring harnesses in the doors of Golf/Jettas break and the alarm will go off when going down the road. You have to pull over and unlock the door with a key to turn it off, crazy.
03-31-2007, 11:47 AM
#7
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The car wont start if the central locking is activated
When my locks went out of sync with the alarm, I would open the door with keys or remote and it would unlock the door but arm the central lock and I wouldn't be able to start the car until I locked the doors again.
My start procedure was:
1) Unlock car
2) Sit in car
3) Lock car (with remote)
4) Start car
You also can't open the gas door when the car is locked.
My start procedure was:
1) Unlock car
2) Sit in car
3) Lock car (with remote)
4) Start car
You also can't open the gas door when the car is locked.
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03-31-2007, 04:22 PM
#8
Sounds right to me. That is a feature of the alarm, not immobilizer.
Immobilizer is when there is a chip in the key that is synchonized with the car; the chip must be present to start the car. Try getting another key cut somewhere. If it starts the car, no immobilizer.
