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Immobiliser abruptly stopped working.
1997 GC8 Classic Impreza 2.0 Sport manual. No mods. Car had not been driven for a month, battery charge was fine.
I believe that the immobiliser no longer recognises either key. At this point, I am looking for specialists who have the Subaru workshop tools to re-programme the keys to the immo.
Not found a single listing on ebay for this version of immo. I considered replacing keys and immo IF I can be sure that they work.
The system:
Antenna located around the ignition switch (detects chip in key fob), which connects to immo (4-pin).
Immo (88205 A010) connection: power, ground, red dashboard LED, Engine ECU.
Engine ECU: 22611 AD370 (A18-000 D40 UNISIA JECS CORPORATION)
Symptom:
The immo detects the presence of a key chip, engine cranks and briefly starts (runs for a couple of seconds). Engine stops abruptly.
Conclusion: Immo does not validate the key so informs the Engine ECU.
Diagnostics so far:
Antenna good (swapped with another; no change). Immo power and ground all good. Output to Engine ECU appears coherent and consistent (different pattern depending on whether there is a key present or not. It also communicates a brief 'message' to the Engine ECU when the key is turned off. Factoring for scope scale, the immo produces two parallel identical outputs to the Engine ECU, both ~ 11.2 volts.
immo output to engine ECU
From what I can tell, all systems are functioning correctly - except that the immobiliser is not recognising the key chip as being authorised.
My options:
Find an Engine ECU from a car that was never fitted with factory fitted immobiliser. (Very difficult to find the exact model AND confirm associated system, i.e. NO immo).
Find an Engine ECU, Immo & Keys from a car that was fitted with factory fitted immobiliser. (Very difficult to find the exact model AND confirm associated system, i.e. with immo).
Find a specialist with the workshop tools to re-programme the keys to the immobiliser.
Find a specialist who can code out the immobiliser signal from the Engine ECU
Find a bespoke Engine ECU compatible with my car.
UK Imprezas of this generation MY97 (GC8E , built 1996/03 - 1997/07) are parts listed as using an 88205AC000 or AC001 module.
For MY98 (GC8F , built 1997/02 - 1998/07) the 88205FA000 module
The 22611AD370 ECU was fitted to both GC8E and F Sporty models
Interestingly the 88205AC010 "would suggest" it was originally for a Legacy (the AC) and a LHD version at that (from the 010).
Most others for the same Subaru part number have a red label rather than the green
and a different Siemens part number and listed as from Legacy's in Europe.
Hi Don,
I have owned the car 25 years out of its almost 29 years existence. One previous owner, who traded it in at the Northampton Subaru dealer that he originally bought it from. Based on that, I can vouch for the originality of the car's systems. Whilst I generally trust parts lists, I take the view that if it left the factory in a certain configuration, then that's the one I try to retain. The car was first registered in Nov 1997.
model: GC8EKFJ OPTION: EE
engine type: EJ20ENW6FA
The issue I face with replacing elements of the engine and immobiliser systems is that without the workshop tools, I cannot configure the different sub-systems to integrate - critically, to pair the key transponder with the immobiliser unit. I've seen several of the red label '5WK4 690' units listed on ebay but getting one won't advance me without the means to pair my keys to it.
97 Classic Impreza: factory immobiliser
