I need to know if the key is linked to the ECU to make sure I get all the bits of an engine I just bought but don't want to buy things unnecessarily. The ECU would be no use without the matched key.

If there is/not a plastic ring around the ignition switch with wires coming out of it (inductive pick up ring for the key transponder) then that would answer my question.

Would appreciate this from anyone!

Cheers, Rich

 

I have a jap wrx 96 model and as far as i know the key has not got chip in it....just a normal key .

 

As above just a mormal Key

 

Thanks guys. I used an MY97 engine in my last project and that required the key. Looks like 96 is the last year without :-)

Thinking about it, the key doesn't actually look that different with a transponder inside the plastic bit. Here's a pic of what I did last time to make sure the ECU wasn't immobilised:



Thanks again,
Rich

 

theres defo nothing in my my97 jap key, cant say if theres anything in the uk keys tho?

 

Well, that confirms that the Jap imports have less security which is what I have found on the web. So, it looks like I will be safe to buy the ECU that came from the same car as the engine I am buying and then source another loom...

Unless I would be better off with another ECU considering UK fuel etc etc? Not sure what the engine is yet (other than MY96 Jap WRX), it's possible that it is an RA so maybe I'll just wait until I get it and check engine numbers...
Cheers, Rich