SchnellAuto

hi guys,

how many of you guys removed the immobilizer?

what are the pros and cons?


Lemon

CarreraX

Havent yet but probably will when I can afford to send my ECU to Steve W.

skl2

Another local 993 owner and myself sent our ECUs off to Steve last year to get the immobilizer removed. Its the most unnoticable mod I have every done, esp for the price, but now I will never have to worry about it being the root cause of the 993 stranding me somewhere. The biggest downside is you still have to press the button everytime you start the car and you have to take out the stupid immobilizer warning light because it will be blinking all the time if you don't.

Bill Verburg

Did you swap out the R61 relay?

sonny1

I have done this mod before, but sent it to Protomotive, with no light flashing issues whatsoever,the pros is the obvious, not stranded in the middle of no place,con's, the theft issue, but for this there are other ways around it.,cheers.
Sonny1.

LexVan

The immobilizer is realy a non issue.

1) Car is locked
2) You unlock it
3) You get in and start it
4) You drive away

Mister C

I am missing something here. Is there an issue with the immobilizer failing?

I keep a spare battery and a small screw driver in my glove box in case my fob battery dies.

Frankly, I like having the immobilizer because I like to keep my car and not have it stolen. I had a car stolen once already so perhaps I am more sensitive than some on this issue. OTOH if the immobilizer has a habit of failing then I may rethink.

niche

I'd like to know what the issue with it is as well.

TheBen

I removed it (thanks to Steve W. at Rennsport Systems) and also did the R61 Relay mod. Very happy...oh...and also got increased drivability thanks to Steve's reprogramming of my ECU.

skl2

To answer a few of the questions, yes, the immbolizer can fail leaving you stranded. I didnt want to worry about that.

To ask a question: I have no clue what the R61 relay mod is...can someone help me out here? What is the benefit and how can I go about doing it?

TheBen

The relay mod allows you to just turn the key like pretty much any car built today and start the car. Anytime the key is inserted, the starter is now 'hot' and ready to go. You never have to touch the fob again.

skl2

awesome, that is what I was hoping for when I sent the ECUs off to Steve in the first place. I just saw Bill's thread over on Pelican...Im going to order the relays now!!

Edit....this works for 1997 cars, correct?

993KT

Did Protomotive get rid of the SAI check also? I heard they are able to do that.

To Lemon, I definitely plan to immobilize the immobilizer. I almost got stranded because of a loose connection in the fob. What a crappy implementation! They have to pick an uncommon battery that you need a screwdriver to get to. The car automatically re-arms it only after a few seconds you unlock the door. If you try to start the car before it's unarmed, you have to do the whole dance to start the car. I'm an automotive software/systems engineer, so it just bugs me it is just such a sh*tty design, every time I start the car.

TRINITONY

How about when u r ready to sell, will it turn off prospective buyers?

skl2

hmm...I guess I consider it a benefit that I spent 1K to get rid of a shoddy at best anti theft device for a 16 year old car that can leave you stranded.