I’ll start out by saying I think my ‘97 works properly, to the best of my knowledge anyway. Just picked up a ‘96, that has some functions - or issues - I’m not familiar with: Immobilizer keeps the engine from starting if fob button not pushed, but does allow starter to engage. Door alarm light curb side nothing street side blinks with alarm on but in couplets. Alarm system recognizes and responds to both door switches. Both doors unlock when opening one from the inside, interior light functions properly as well. Just got the car, haven’t had a chance to do anything but get it off the trailer and into the garage. Any suggestions or ideas where to start would be much appreciated. Thanks in advance and be safe!

 

Open door lock with remote

Get in

Click the button twice

Turn ignition to point where it doesn't engage the starter - then wait until 1 on the idiot lights on the cluster goes off

Start car

Your good to go - enjoy your car!

 

My understanding of proper function: car locked click remote once to unlock, get in and start within two minutes, good to go - car unlocked, get in, sit down, click remote once, start and go. Without deactivating the immobilizer nothing happens when turning key switch to start, due to anti restart function the key switch must be turned off before attempting restart, which will give same results unless remote button is first pushed. That’s the way my ‘97 works, ‘96 allows the starter to engage but not start. Don’t know if this is someone’s attempt at immobilizer defeat or what?

 

Sounds like a different issue to me. If the immobilizer is working, & it allows the starter to work, then the car should start.
Check the switch at the clutch pedal or the DME relay.

 

If you're unlocking the car with the remote, you can immediately get in and start it. You don't need any of those other steps you listed. Assuming the car is locked (doors locked, alarm and immobilizer active), unlocking disarms both and you're immediately good to go.

If you don't start the car within 3 minutes, the immobilizer (not alarm) activates automatically (doors do not lock; alarm is not active but immobilizer disables the starter). So to deactivate the immobilizer, you then need to lock/unlock via remote to disarm the immobilizer again, clearing you to start the car. The same is true if the car is off for 3 minutes (immobilizer will disable the starter automatically). So anytime the car is not running for a period of 3 minutes, the immobilizer disables the starter and you need to lock/unlock in order to start again. So when you stop to fill up for gas for greater than 3 minutes and the car is off, you can't just start it w/o locking/unlocking and the same if you leave your car unlocked in your garage for hours/days/weeks.

The other nuance here is that if the car is locked and you unlock it but do not open any of the doors within 1 minute, the immobilizer will arm, the doors will re-lock and the alarm will be activated.


All clearly explained in the manual.

 

Doesn't sound right but I'd start by ordering this, installing, then hoping it clears the issue.
https://rennlist.com/forums/993-foru...mmo-block.html

edit to add that I have both a 96 and 97 as well and in stock form, they function exactly the same. No difference in function between those model years.

 

Hi GasGasRider,
If the door LEDs blink in couplets, not in an even cadence there is a fault in the system and the IMMO BLOCK will not address this.
Here is a page that may help you find out what is the cause of the fault:
https://993servicerepair.blogspot.co...-lighting.html

Andy

 

^^^ Correct. Except you only get 90 seconds to fill your tank

 

if you turn the car off but do not remove the key from the ignition, the immobilizer does not activate (at least in my car). When I stop for gas, I leave the key in the ignition and then can restart the engine after fill up without doing the lock/unlock dance.

 

The car could Lock you out.
Take the key with you when u leave the car.
Or alternatively leave the window open so you can reach in and grab the key or the thieves can

Also do not open or unlock door with key. Alarm will go off.
Always use the remote to lock and unlock....rtfm

Remember to carry a spare battery and a spare dme - fuel starter relay in your emergency kit

 

Basket handle third brake light on a 96? Targa?

 

It's a targa

 

Andy and Jay, thanks for checking in! All the rest too. My error in the first post - ‘97 flashes in couplets, which I thought was correct, ‘96 flashes steadily. I’ll check all lights, switches and related functions on both cars. What I’m concerned most about is when the immobilizer in the ‘96 is not turned off, the starter motor can be engaged and spin the motor without starting it.

 

Gasgasrider - If the only anomaly is that the starter spins on the '96 even when the immobilizer is armed (it shouldn't), check to see if someone bypassed starter relay R61 (you'll either see a jumper or or starter bypass relay in it's place). I don't have the part number for the bypass relay handy but just compare the 2 cars to see if there's any difference.

 

I keep my '96 in the garage unlocked. To do a cold start: 1) get in and turn the key quarter turn (ignition on) 2) press the alarm button once (and see the immobilizer light go off) 3) turn the key to start the car. That's it! I don't have to press the button twice to lock/unlock, if I cold start without pushing the button starter does not run.

Personally I don't find the immobilizer that intrusive, it becomes a habit that once I get in I do the steps mentioned above and it just works. If the car is locked I unlock and start without the steps above within a couple minutes.