chris.richard
November 13th, 2004, 03:50 AM
Here's a solution to the problem of immobiliser issues on a transplanted (or otherwise) Alfa engine; full text at gtv6 forum (http://www.gtvv6.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=5233) but here's a transcript of the main bit.
Just saved £650 so I’m feeling like one happy GTV owner.
Basically had a code key lock out and no master key to reset the system. The conventional
wisdom is that you’re ‘up **** creek without a paddle’. You need a complete engine ECU and
controller box swap out which is £650 + Vat for the ECU and £90 + VAT for the code controller
box + couple of hours labour. But I found a solution that is much more simple… re-chip your car.
Something possessed me to call Squadra tuning in the Netherlands as a last resort. I had it in my
head that there must be something more elementary than throwing away perfect working
equipment just because the system has locked out the keys. They couldn’t help but Stephan put
me in touch with a friend of his who could program me a replacement ECU chip which would
disable the code key immobiliser. All he needed was my chassis number and the code on the ECU
sticker (e.g. 0.203.xxx). That was Thursday evening and Saturday morning my package from
Holland arrived. I immediately set about removing my Bosch Motronic ECU and opened it up. I
located the original chip, levered it out and slotted in the reprogrammed one. You must also
disconnect both cables from the yellow code controller box (under the steering column) as the
car no longer recognises the fact that it has a code key system.
Voila!!! The car started for the first time in 7 days. You are obviously left with no code key
immobiliser (remote alarm still works though) so you might need to update your insurance or fit
an aftermarket system.
The cost of the immobiliser-disable chip was €175 (£120). I will ask the Dutch wizz-kid on
Monday if he minds me posting his details as I am not sure he does this as a regular thing or just
as a hobby.
I hope this information helps someone out as its a shitty situation to be in, especially when you
are not prepared for the huge financial costs. But what cheesed me off most is the fact that everyone I spoke to in the UK said it couldn’t be done, even the so-called ECU experts Autodelta
and Superchips.
Just saved £650 so I’m feeling like one happy GTV owner.
Basically had a code key lock out and no master key to reset the system. The conventional
wisdom is that you’re ‘up **** creek without a paddle’. You need a complete engine ECU and
controller box swap out which is £650 + Vat for the ECU and £90 + VAT for the code controller
box + couple of hours labour. But I found a solution that is much more simple… re-chip your car.
Something possessed me to call Squadra tuning in the Netherlands as a last resort. I had it in my
head that there must be something more elementary than throwing away perfect working
equipment just because the system has locked out the keys. They couldn’t help but Stephan put
me in touch with a friend of his who could program me a replacement ECU chip which would
disable the code key immobiliser. All he needed was my chassis number and the code on the ECU
sticker (e.g. 0.203.xxx). That was Thursday evening and Saturday morning my package from
Holland arrived. I immediately set about removing my Bosch Motronic ECU and opened it up. I
located the original chip, levered it out and slotted in the reprogrammed one. You must also
disconnect both cables from the yellow code controller box (under the steering column) as the
car no longer recognises the fact that it has a code key system.
Voila!!! The car started for the first time in 7 days. You are obviously left with no code key
immobiliser (remote alarm still works though) so you might need to update your insurance or fit
an aftermarket system.
The cost of the immobiliser-disable chip was €175 (£120). I will ask the Dutch wizz-kid on
Monday if he minds me posting his details as I am not sure he does this as a regular thing or just
as a hobby.
I hope this information helps someone out as its a shitty situation to be in, especially when you
are not prepared for the huge financial costs. But what cheesed me off most is the fact that everyone I spoke to in the UK said it couldn’t be done, even the so-called ECU experts Autodelta
and Superchips.