Immobilizer Problem, I Think
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Immobilizer Problem, I Think
I am having a weird starting issue with my 2000 SC 400. I have searched this forum (and some others), but I cannot find anyone with these exact symptoms. Here it is:
- The car will not start. No clicking, no sound at all - I turn the key and nothing happens.
- The dashboard lights illuminate as normal, as does the climate control display. Nothing else does.
- The battery is perfectly fine, I had it replaced in July and I just checked the voltage earlier today.
- When I tried to jump start the car from another vehicle, nothing happened.
- When I tried to jump start the car from a portable jump box, the alarm went off.
- The battery in the key is fine, I just put in a new one to make sure.
- When the key is in the "ON" position, the transmission will not shift out of park unless I hit the shift lock override button.
- The remote locking function only partly works. The "lock" button works normally (gives one beep) if the vehicle is already locked, but does nothing if the vehicle is unlocked. The "unlock" button works normally (gives two beeps) if the vehicle is already unlocked, but does nothing if the vehicle is locked. The interior lock buttons do nothing.
- No, the car is not out of gas.
- There are no modifications to the vehicle; it is 100% factory stock.
Given the above symptoms, I believe the immobilizer system is malfunctioning. Based on your knowledge and experience, do you guys think this is the case, or have I misdiagnosed it? If it is the immobilizer, is there anything I can do to fix it myself?
Thank you in advance for any help.
- The car will not start. No clicking, no sound at all - I turn the key and nothing happens.
- The dashboard lights illuminate as normal, as does the climate control display. Nothing else does.
- The battery is perfectly fine, I had it replaced in July and I just checked the voltage earlier today.
- When I tried to jump start the car from another vehicle, nothing happened.
- When I tried to jump start the car from a portable jump box, the alarm went off.
- The battery in the key is fine, I just put in a new one to make sure.
- When the key is in the "ON" position, the transmission will not shift out of park unless I hit the shift lock override button.
- The remote locking function only partly works. The "lock" button works normally (gives one beep) if the vehicle is already locked, but does nothing if the vehicle is unlocked. The "unlock" button works normally (gives two beeps) if the vehicle is already unlocked, but does nothing if the vehicle is locked. The interior lock buttons do nothing.
- No, the car is not out of gas.
- There are no modifications to the vehicle; it is 100% factory stock.
Given the above symptoms, I believe the immobilizer system is malfunctioning. Based on your knowledge and experience, do you guys think this is the case, or have I misdiagnosed it? If it is the immobilizer, is there anything I can do to fix it myself?
Thank you in advance for any help.
#3
Lexus Champion
i have the same problem, i had to run a switch from the starter relay to the inside of the car. i still haven't figured out how to fix it. hopefully this thread we'll figure it out.
#4
Pit Crew
Try to jump the starter, someone here had something that sounded somewhat similar to you and that is what seemed to work.. Another thing you may wanna try is to check the resistance in the battery leads since our cars tend to have problems with that. Good luck.
#6
Pole Position
iTrader: (1)
Another thing to check is your neutral start switch. It acts just like a clutch switch on a manual, if the clutch pedal isn't engaged, you will get no crank.
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#9
Lexus Champion
you don't need to hold the brake to start the car in park
#12
I have the occasional problem with my 96 SC 400 that is some what the same as you describe, but it is caused by a bad set of contacts on my starter, which is located under the plenum & I will fix that when I tear the engine down to do the T belt & water pump. Check all your grounds also. 10$ part 300$ labor charge if I pay some one else to do it. Yoda got us on that one!
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I have the occasional problem with my 96 SC 400 that is some what the same as you describe, but it is caused by a bad set of contacts on my starter, which is located under the plenum & I will fix that when I tear the engine down to do the T belt & water pump. Check all your grounds also. 10$ part 300$ labor charge if I pay some one else to do it. Yoda got us on that one!
#14
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ECU lockout
Update: OBD-II diagnostics is not working, will not link to the engine. The equipment is not at fault, because I tested it on my other SC 400 and it worked just fine. Apparently the ECU is locking everything out.
#15
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iTrader: (1)
The immobilizer only cuts fuel. It wouldn't lock you out of OBDII. The only other way the ECU could cause this is if it were bad.
Just for the hell of it, check your AM1 fuse in the engine bay. I have attached a PDF that is the power source layout for a 99. Should be the same. Walk through that starting at AM1 and make sure your electrical is in order.
Just for the hell of it, check your AM1 fuse in the engine bay. I have attached a PDF that is the power source layout for a 99. Should be the same. Walk through that starting at AM1 and make sure your electrical is in order.