Instructions on how to register a key in a car immobilizer yourself

01/24/2022 2 139 Electrical

Author: Victor

The need to register a key in the immobilizer may arise, for example, if the original chip is damaged or lost. You can carry out the reprogramming procedure yourself using the universal instructions, but it is better to use a manual developed taking into account the make of the car.

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In what cases is a key registration required?

Assigning a new car blocker chip may be required in the following cases:

1. If the key is damaged. Its malfunction may be due to breakage or wear. Due to malfunctions in the chip, problems will arise with reading the codes by the microprocessor unit.
2. It was necessary to make a duplicate for other drivers of the vehicle. During manufacturing, a chip is installed in the key, but it is not synchronized with the tag in the control unit.
3. The control module in the car has been damaged.
4. The ignition system has failed or is not working correctly (we are talking about the main module).

Signs that the immobilizer is preventing the car from starting

The main signs of a malfunctioning immobilizer system:

• indication of a blinking LED on the car’s dashboard, which was not present in normal mode when the ignition was turned on;

• glowing “key” icon on the dashboard or LCD display of the on-board computer;

• a message including the words “Key”, “Secret”, “Immobiliser” on the on-board computer display;

• blocking the rotation of a working starter.

The immobilizer malfunction only appears when the engine starts. If the engine stalls while driving, this cannot be due to immobilizer problems. After correct interrogation of the key, the immobilizer “gives the go-ahead” to start the engine and ceases its functions until the next start.

How to register a new key yourself

To register an immobilizer in a car yourself, you need to use a transponder chip. On many cars this element is called a master key.

Before completing the task, it is recommended to fill the gas tank so that it contains at least 10 liters of fuel.

Universal Guide

A universal guide that allows you to register keys on most modern cars:

1. All car doors are closed, after which the ignition is activated using the learning key. After this, you must wait at least ten seconds.
2. The ignition is turned off, and the indicators on the control panel should blink at intervals of 5 seconds. This indicates that the binding procedure is proceeding correctly.
3. When the ignition is activated, within five seconds you need to remove the learning chip and install a new key. This will allow programming the transponder into the memory of the microprocessor module. The beepper of the car should emit three beeps.
4. Then you need to wait about six seconds, after which the car's buzzer should emit a double sound pulse. Then the ignition switch is turned off, and the trained key with the chip is removed from the lock. The next element must be programmed immediately.
5. A new learning key is installed in the switch. The beepper should beep three times, followed by two more beeps six seconds later.
6. The key is removed from the lock, then a new control element is installed, and the power unit starts. A test drive of the car is done.

User Sergei Sobolevsky talked about how to register a key in a car’s immobilizer.

For blockers with one button

For brokers with one button, we register a new transponder as follows:

1. All car door locks are locked with a key.
2. On the control, the primary key is pressed and held. It must be fixed in this state until the diode light bulb stops blinking. If the button is released, the indicator light should light evenly without blinking.
3. The key is clicked again and the light goes out.
4. The driver's door opens, the key is installed in the switch, and the button is pressed again.
5. The ignition is activated. After 10 seconds it must be turned off.
6. After 5 seconds, the communicator will go into working mode. Information about new keys is stored in the memory of the microprocessor unit.

For Mazda cars

For Mazda cars, the programming procedure is as follows:

1. All keys are prepared (there should be none in the ignition switch).
2. All vehicle door locks are locked and the driver's door is opened.
3. The next step must be completed within 24 seconds. The key in the ignition switch is turned three times from the Lock to On position and back. Then you need to have time to close and open the driver's door three times. You should ensure that the locks deactivate and lock. If you do not have time to do this, the binding procedure is repeated again.
4. Then you need to double-click on the Lock or Unlock button on the first key with a chip. At this point, you should look closely at the door locks to make sure they are locked and unlocked.
5. Similar actions are carried out with the second and third keys. When performing a task, you need to make sure that the locks close and open.

If the pairing procedure was completed successfully, the door locks should automatically unlock and lock after programming.

User Savva Dolesov talked about making keys himself, as well as linking them to Mazda cars.

For Nissan cars

For Nissan vehicles, immobilizer key programming will vary depending on the specific model. For example, in Note, for binding you will need a special device - SSB Key Programmer.

The programming procedure for a Nissan Note looks like this:

1. The plug from the device is installed in the OBD2 diagnostic connector (it is located inside the car).
2. The equipment starts up. In it you need to select the item “Nissan Japan - Micra March 00 - Gasoline”.
3. The key is inserted into the ignition switch and the system is activated.
4. On the device, select the “Nats 5 - Prog New Keys” item.
5. A four-digit password is entered, which must be specified in the service manual. If it is missing, the PIN code must be checked with the dealer or looked at the BCM sticker.
6. After specifying the PIN code, all the keys that need to be linked to the microprocessor unit are inserted into the ignition lock. Installation of controls is carried out one by one. Using each key, you must activate and turn off the ignition within five seconds.
7. After completing the binding procedure, the power unit is started.

For Nissan Almera models, the binding procedure looks like this:

1. With two keys for control, the driver gets into the car. One of them is installed in the lock and rotated to activate the ignition.
2. Then you need to quickly turn it off and on six times. The car's turning lights will begin to blink. The key itself should be in the ACC position.
3. At this moment, on the second key, you need to click on the door lock opening button and quickly press the lock button three times. After the last press, all buttons are released simultaneously.
4. The previous step is repeated as long as the first key is in the lock. The ignition is activated and switched off. This completes the binding procedure.

For Ford cars

For Ford cars, the procedure is as follows:

1. For programming, one of the control keys is installed in the ignition switch.
2. This element rotates in the lock and the ignition is activated. This procedure should be performed four times within six seconds.
3. The key is turned to the zero position to turn off the ignition. In confirmation, the beeper emits a sound signal, the purpose of which is to confirm the readiness of the microprocessor module to register the remaining keys. The manipulation must be carried out within ten seconds.
4. A new key is taken and any key is clicked on it. The control unit will emit a beep as confirmation.
5. A similar operation is carried out with the remaining keys. After pairing each of them, the device should beep. There is no need to remove the key itself from the ignition (this also applies to original devices).
6. The ignition is activated, the key is set to the second position.

What is the operating principle based on?

To understand possible malfunctions, you need to know the structure of the immobilizer system from the inside. Some system designs allow the engine to start without an electronic device, even if an attacker has entered the cabin, however, the engine will not operate for long. After this, the main systems responsible for fuel supply, ignition and complete shutdown of electricity in the car are blocked.

The kit must always contain at least three elements of this security system:

• The electronic unit. It is responsible for receiving/transmitting signals. If the correct electronic code is received from the key, then all components are unlocked to start the car.
• Relay. There may be several such elements, and they are located in units responsible for supplying fuel to the cylinders or the operability of the electrical system. Electrical relays receive commands from the ECU.
• A key equipped with a built-in block with a microcircuit. Without it, it will not be possible to activate all vehicle systems.

A new car comes with a special device, with the help of which programming/reprogramming is carried out at the initial stage of the electronic unit. You also need to know that each immobilizer has a secret special button that can be used to temporarily disable the system. Its location is known only to the car owner, and it is used only in case of unexpected problems.

Video “Key binding on Skoda, Volkswagen, Audi cars”

The “Avto Blog” channel talked about programming controls in the described car models.

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Possible causes of malfunctions

If the immobilizer “does not see” the key, there may be several reasons. There is nothing to break in this system (unless during repairs or installation of additional equipment the reader antenna or its wiring is damaged), software failures occur more often - for example, the immobilizer “forgets” the code written into it.

This may not necessarily be a problem with a specific immobilizer (like in old Renault Megane/Scenic), but may cause the auto-start alarm to be installed incorrectly. If the installer, instead of connecting the immobilizer crawler, attaches one of the chips to the reader antenna (this preserves the functionality of the keys from the kit), then when the ignition is turned on with the second key, where the chip is stored, the immobilizer will receive a signal from two chips simultaneously. This situation is abnormal for the controller, and over time it deletes one of the codes from memory.

It is worth considering that if the immobilizer prevents the car from starting, this may indicate an unsuccessful theft attempt. The first thing a car thief needs to do after he has dealt with the ignition switch (and, note, the Hollywood stereotype about tearing off and twisting wires has nothing to do with reality) is to register his own chip in the immobilizer memory. If you have access to the diagnostic connector, this can be done in literally seconds on many machines.

From his own practice, the author noticed that an attempt at theft becomes noticeable only after a thorough inspection of the lock cylinders - their damage is so small. Therefore, in the morning, having opened the car without any problems and trying to start the engine, the owner is surprised to find a blinking immobilizer indicator, indicating that the immobilizer does not recognize the chip code in the key as correct. When connecting diagnostic equipment on such a car, you may find that only one key is registered in the immobilizer memory instead of the standard two.

Therefore, you can often see installation of anti-theft locks on diagnostic connectors and re-pinning of connectors, making direct connection of the programmer impossible. However, such measures make sense only on common cars, with which it is easier to choose another object than to waste extra time on theft. If a specific car is stolen to order, then the thief will be able to gain access to the CAN bus without a diagnostic connector.

Video: Immobilizer does not see Solaris key, solution to problem

Autoelectrics Service › Blog › Digest No. 2 - Programming keys and transponders

Today we are talking about another direction of development of our company - Programming keys and transponders.
In what cases may you need an additional key or transponder, also known as a “chip”?

First

. Perhaps the most common case is an autostart chip. Almost all modern cars are equipped with an immobilizer system that prevents, so to speak, unauthorized engine starting. So, to make starting the engine with a car alarm possible, you need a chip that would be registered in the immobilizer. However, now keyless immobilizer bypassers are becoming popular (they are safer and trouble-free in operation) and even moreover, new car alarms have learned to start a car without a chip, but more on that another time.

Second

. There is only one ignition key, you need another one, for example, for a second driver or just to have one. Here we can say the following. If you have one ignition key and there is no hidden key (chip) in the car with which the autostart works, then you still need to think about a second one. The programming procedure when there is at least one key and when all the keys are lost are completely different procedures in terms of labor costs and capital investments.

Well, now about some of our works...

Programming keys for BMW cars, immobilizer unit EWS3 and EWS4.4

Several times I had to register keys from Chinese suppliers in BMW of various models. Note that the Chinese key and the original one are completely different, but both work flawlessly.

This block initially contains 8 keys, so to program a new key, you need to read information from the processor with mask 0D46J

and write this information into a clean chip, or into a key. A very detailed article about BMW keys and their programming procedure, here - Key/transponder programming for BMW 520i E39.

This unit was installed in newer BMW models and initially contains 4 cells with keys. The programming process is identical to the previous case, but with one “but”, the processor is already with the 2l86d mask and it is closed. Detailed article here - Key/transponder programming for BMW X3 E83 (EWS4.4).

Programming keys for Hyundai and Kia cars

It is often necessary to install chips (for autostart) in Korean-made cars. The process is short, the PIN is read through the diagnostic connector and after that a blank PCF7936 transponder is registered. More information in the article on our website - Key/transponder programming for Kia Rio.

Programming keys for Mercedes cars

These cars have a problem. When two keys meet, for example as a result of incorrect implementation of the autostart function, the car stops starting and the message Start Error

. You need to register lost keys again. How, it is written here - Key/transponder programming for Mercedes M-Class W163

Key programming for Nissan cars

The process of writing a new key or chip is similar to Korean cars. We find out the PIN and, with its help and the help of special equipment, register the transponder in the immobilizer. More details here - Key/transponder programming for Nissan Note.

Key programming for Renault cars

It happens differently with these cars; in some, programming the key does not take much time, but in others it does)) For example, here is Programming a key/transponder for a Renault Fluence car. Programming a key card looks something like this.

Programming keys for Audi, Seat, Skoda, Volkswagen cars

With VAG group cars, especially with modern ones, everything is not very simple. You can only register a key purchased from a dealer. However, our equipment allows us to prepare a chip (transponder) so that it is recognized by the car as a dealer key. After which it is successfully registered. In general, read - Key/transponder programming for VW Touareg

Emergency opening of a car.

If you lose the last key, do not rush to break the locks, doors or windows, this may not bring the expected positive result, but on the contrary, later make it difficult to open the car with a professional tool. You need to call a specialist in emergency car opening, and within 5-30 minutes, you will be able to open the car without damage. -Of course, if you come across a good master with experience and specialized tools. As practice shows, the price of work is often an indicator of the level of work. For a high-quality opening, you need an expensive tool. Next comes key recovery.

Necessity of programming

As noted earlier, the anti-theft system of a chip-implemented ignition key is a rather complex mechanism that can fail. Often there are malfunctions in the immobilizer software. In this case, the device simply refuses to identify even the original key and starting the car becomes an unrealistic task.

The main reasons for immobilizer failure are:

• failure at the software level;
• unfavorable external conditions (too low temperature, high humidity, etc.);
• poor performance of the power system;
• decrease in voltage at the contact outputs.

There are often cases when the physical key breaks or is lost, which also makes it impossible to operate the car.

The system is repaired by reprogramming the ignition keys or turning out new ones. Work with the microcircuit, as a rule, is the responsibility of the official dealer. However, in most cases, programming in such service centers takes quite a long time due to the high customer turnover and lack of specialists. The optimal solution in such situations is to contact alternative organizations that provide chip tuning for cars.

It is worth noting that key programming is not always carried out due to a system malfunction. Sometimes real tuning takes place, which consists in improving the car’s protection against theft. By programming a more complex version of the software, it is quite possible to make the anti-theft system of your car a real “stone wall” for intruders. But this, naturally, is a matter of tastes and desires, because even a standard key with a nebulizer can save a car from theft.