Everything You Need To Know About Engine Immobilizer

Vehicles are one of the most prized possessions for any individual. Probably this is the reason why each one of us, do our best to keep it protected from theft and damage. From dash cams to gear locks, ensuring the safety of your beloved vehicle is something that you can never ignore. As a major element of security onboard modern vehicles, the engine immobilizer is one of the most integral components of safety and security. So here is everything you need to know about an engine immobilizer.

What is Engine Immobilizer?

• An Engine Immobilizer in simple words is an electronic security device that is used by billions of modern vehicles around the globe. An Engine Immobilizer technologically uses an electronic chip that is embedded into the ECU of the vehicle to comprehend smart key codes and turn on the ignition on your vehicle.Download The App Now!

  

How Does An Engine Immobilizer Work?

• As an anti-theft system that is sophisticatedly built into the engine ECT, the engine immobilizer prevents the engine from starting in the absence of the vehicle’s authentic and authorized keys. To do that, an immobilizer uses a specially designed digitally coded key that is often dubbed as Smart Keys.
• These keys contain a transponder chip within them that stores electronic security that can be understood much like the vehicle’s password. When inserted, the immobilizer processes the security code on the smart key’s chip with that embedded on the vehicle’s ECU. Once a perfect match is established, an engine immobilizer activated the fuel system and the ignition circuit.
• If the match isn’t the same, the ECU fails to activate the fuel system, thereby preventing thieves from starting your beloved vehicle. In modern-day vehicles with keyless entry or engine start/stop feature, the portable smart keys transmit a security code to the code processor within the ECU, which then matches the two and thereby allows the start/stop function to work.

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Electronic Immobilizers

• As technology advanced, conventional immobilizers were further developed into advanced electronic Engine Immobilizer systems that use rolling/changing security codes. This system consists of Two-Tier security levels comprising of a permanent code and an additional changing code.
• Each time the key starts the ignition; the intelligent system changes the second code and pushes it into the key. Whenever ignition is turned off, the immobilizer first processes the personal code and then moves on to process the second rolling code.
• Only when both the codes match, the engine is allowed to start. In case of a mismatch or in the absence of the second security code, the engine will fail to start, even if someone tries short-circuiting the ignition circuit. Thanks to this sophisticated technology, codes onboard smart keys and ECUs cannot be easily duplicated. In case of key loss, only the authorized dealers can deactivate the lost key.

So this was everything you need to know about Engine Immobilizer. Stay tuned to the GoMechanic blog for everything automotive.

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FAQs

What does an engine immobilizer do?

It is also known as an electronic safety system that prevents the car from being stolen. The engine immobilizer ensures that the car only starts with the authorized key or key fob. It is used in every car for the safety of the vehicle. 

How do I know if my car has an engine immobiliser?

Most cars have engine immobilizers in today’s world. You can enquire before buying, or you can check it by consulting a mechanic. Vehicles with a smart key or key fob have engine immobilisers.

Can a car with an engine immobilizer be stolen?

Yes, it can be stolen, but engine immobilizers reduce the chances of theft and risk as they prevent vehicles from starting their engine without the correct key because the ECU(Engine Control Unit) will not pass signals to the engine without the key.

Can thieves bypass immobiliser?

No, thieves can not bypass engine immobilizers as it does not allow the engine to start without the proper authentication due to its Ghost Immobiliser security, whether the thief can hotwire it or is able to get in the car. Ghost Immobilizer can be bypassed only by towing the vehicle.

How to activate engine immobilizer?

It automatically activates when the vehicle is turned off, and after the lock, it needs an accurate key or key fob to start the engine. It uses a locator to match the key code. If the code does not match, the engine will remain disabled.