Emergency immobiliser bypass?

**twr7cx** · 23rd October 2018, 11:18 AM

Whilst it's a dangerous question to ask as the answer potentially benefits thieves and bypasses the entire purpose of the immobiliser, but the situation calls for it.

Over the weekend whilst three and a half hours drive away from home where the vehicles spare keys were, our 1998 Discovery 1 refused to start - the cause, low battery voltage in the remote control which was giving unreliable/intermittent locking/unlocking and therefore not disabling the immobiliser to allow the vehicle to start. Given that it was Sunday afternoon in a remote seaside town without shops there was nil chance of obtaining a new battery. Thankfully we managed to swap out the CR2035 battery with that from another vehicles remote control as we were not alone.

The situation however left me wondering - if we were the only vehicle around, out bush, etc. What would or could we do to get the vehicle started again?

**bee utey** · 23rd October 2018, 11:52 AM

The only part of the car that is actually immobilised is the starter motor. Ignition and ECU circuits remain as normal. On a friend's late model D1 I wired a hidden switch across the two wires on the immobiliser that allowed the starter to operate even though the immobiliser lights up the hazard lights. After about a minute they stop anyway. The immobiliser should be visible near the passenger side front door pillar when you remove the glove box.

Another method is to simply remove the starter relay and bridge the contacts with the ignition on, although you would have to do this every time you wanted to start.

**justinc** · 23rd October 2018, 06:19 PM

I can switch all that off Scott. So you only have central locking.

**discomatt69** · 23rd October 2018, 07:33 PM

I sometimes wish I lived in Tassie, Justin ever thought of moving to the mainland

**Aaron IIA** · 23rd October 2018, 07:37 PM

Would all D1's have had an immobiliser when new? Mine is a 1996 300tdi and I only have a key.

Aaron

**bee utey** · 23rd October 2018, 08:03 PM

Originally Posted by Aaron IIA

Would all D1's have had an immobiliser when new? Mine is a 1996 300tdi and I only have a key.

Aaron

In a word, no.

**damienb** · 24th October 2018, 08:04 AM

It's easy to set up a D1 (immobiliser) with an aftermarket fob so that you have central lock/unlock, but no immobilise.

A kit like this works perfectly:
Universal Car Remote Control Central Kit Door Lock Locking Keyless Entry System` 898654124155 | eBay

This gives you far more range and easily replacable fobs. Key will still immobilise if you want to use it.

DiscoMick · 24th October 2018, 09:41 AM

Might be simpler just to keep spare batteries for the fobs in the vehicle.

**FisherX** · 24th October 2018, 10:37 AM

Sounds nuts but have you tried holding the fob to your head while you are next to the car and press the button?

I sometimes have the issue with my RRC soft dash that has a new fob battery and it works for me.

**twr7cx** · 7th November 2018, 11:38 AM

Originally Posted by FisherX

Sounds nuts but have you tried holding the fob to your head while you are next to the car and press the button?

It's not silly at all. I have no idea why it works, but it certainly does!

Originally Posted by DiscoMick

Might be simpler just to keep spare batteries for the fobs in the vehicle.

Not a bad idea at all for in the glove box.

Originally Posted by bee utey

The only part of the car that is actually immobilised is the starter motor. Ignition and ECU circuits remain as normal.

Another method is to simply remove the starter relay and bridge the contacts with the ignition on, although you would have to do this every time you wanted to start.

Excellent information to know for in an emergency event that it's required. Thanks.

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Emergency immobiliser bypass?

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