Help wanted re MX5 mk 1 immobiliser
Discussion
Hi
new to the website so please forgive any previous answers which may have been given on the subject, but interrogation of the website came up with a solution which isn't working for me.
just purchased a cracking mk 1 MX5 1.8 with unbelievably little rust and that will be dealt with in two weeks time with a visit to Rustbusters of Spalding in Lincolnshire.
the car is fitted with, what I believe is, an early separate button operated ignition immobiliser whereby an ibutton has to be accepted on a receiver on the dash which releases the immobiliser and allows starting. the car only has one, so having read up on what to get hold of I have purchase two ibuttons which need to be programmed into the cars immobiliser system so they can be used in the same way as the original.
I was directed by the suppliers to this website for a programming solution, however I have tried what I have read and it doesn't work.
any help would be much appreciated as I want the safety net of two working buttons at least as I intend to fully restore the car and want to keep it
many thanks in advance
Steve644
new to the website so please forgive any previous answers which may have been given on the subject, but interrogation of the website came up with a solution which isn't working for me.
just purchased a cracking mk 1 MX5 1.8 with unbelievably little rust and that will be dealt with in two weeks time with a visit to Rustbusters of Spalding in Lincolnshire.
the car is fitted with, what I believe is, an early separate button operated ignition immobiliser whereby an ibutton has to be accepted on a receiver on the dash which releases the immobiliser and allows starting. the car only has one, so having read up on what to get hold of I have purchase two ibuttons which need to be programmed into the cars immobiliser system so they can be used in the same way as the original.
I was directed by the suppliers to this website for a programming solution, however I have tried what I have read and it doesn't work.
any help would be much appreciated as I want the safety net of two working buttons at least as I intend to fully restore the car and want to keep it
many thanks in advance
Steve644
My advice take it out and throw it away.
Seriously.
To put aftermarket immobilisers in to perspective, the best one I've come across I've just removed from my 924, although it took me about 2 hours to remove as it had been fitted very very well as I always do as I'm a bit sad like that I tested how long it took me to defeat the immobiliser (not the ignition lock or steering lock obviously). 10 seconds. That just isn't a deterrent, car thieves aren't stupid they know how easy these things are to remove from a car that wasn't factory fitted with it, the issue is there are only so many places they can be fitted and they basically come down to 3 locations, but the wires are easy to spot and follow, you follow them, find the factory loom that's been cut, jumper it across and start the car as normal.
They simply don't work.
The only thing they do is potentially reduce your insurance, ironically in these cases all you need to be able to do is provide a fitting certificate and your keys/alarm fob if the car is stolen, doesn't matter if it works or not there is no servicing requirement. They also slow you down as the rightful owner every time you use the car and frankly piss you off. Oh and they always run the risk of packing up on a wet dark night in the middle of nowhere. Just like locking wheel nuts on OE worthless alloys I tend to take them off as when they fail they are a pain in the arse to defend against a problem that at best doesn't exist and if it does they don't work anyway.
Just my 5p.
I will add though that factory fit immobilisers tend to be very good, if it's integrated in to the ECU then a dedicated thief will still have the car away if they decide to, but at least Billy McChav and his joyriding mates won't be thrashing it round the local council estate.
Seriously.
To put aftermarket immobilisers in to perspective, the best one I've come across I've just removed from my 924, although it took me about 2 hours to remove as it had been fitted very very well as I always do as I'm a bit sad like that I tested how long it took me to defeat the immobiliser (not the ignition lock or steering lock obviously). 10 seconds. That just isn't a deterrent, car thieves aren't stupid they know how easy these things are to remove from a car that wasn't factory fitted with it, the issue is there are only so many places they can be fitted and they basically come down to 3 locations, but the wires are easy to spot and follow, you follow them, find the factory loom that's been cut, jumper it across and start the car as normal.
They simply don't work.
The only thing they do is potentially reduce your insurance, ironically in these cases all you need to be able to do is provide a fitting certificate and your keys/alarm fob if the car is stolen, doesn't matter if it works or not there is no servicing requirement. They also slow you down as the rightful owner every time you use the car and frankly piss you off. Oh and they always run the risk of packing up on a wet dark night in the middle of nowhere. Just like locking wheel nuts on OE worthless alloys I tend to take them off as when they fail they are a pain in the arse to defend against a problem that at best doesn't exist and if it does they don't work anyway.
Just my 5p.
I will add though that factory fit immobilisers tend to be very good, if it's integrated in to the ECU then a dedicated thief will still have the car away if they decide to, but at least Billy McChav and his joyriding mates won't be thrashing it round the local council estate.
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