When did VW's get an Immobilizer?

[abranz]

Wondering if anyone knew what year VW began using the immobilizer in the dash cluster?
Thanks Anthony

 

[VW Petrolero]

In Canada at least , start in 2000.
Later
Tony

 

[compu_85]

I've heard of some very late US 1999 New Beetles having an Immoblizer. My late 1999 Jetta does not have one. As far as I know, all 2000s will.

-Jason

 

[NFSTDI]

I believe the components are installed on your 1999.5 but not activated.

 

[Nitrowolf]

What versions of the immobilizer were released, when?

1999 - No Immo
2000 - Immo 2?
2003 - Immo 3?

Can an ECU from a 2003 be used in a 2000?

 

[abranz]

Thanks guys. Reason I ask is I'm looking for a vw without one as I had many problems with the one on my 2000. It really fried me that i had to take the car to VW and get screwed for something I should have been able to do with my vag-com.
Tony

 

[NFSTDI]

Actually you can do it with your VAG-COM if you have the PIN.

 

[compu_85]

The components are physically not present in my 99.5. There is no LED in the cluster behind the immobilizer icon. There are no transponder chips in my keys (Even though my keys have the same PN as standard immobiliser keys... and believe me I took one apart to see!). There is no pickup coil around the ignition (you can see where the guts should be, but mine is just an empty plastic housing).

The ECUs are different between the immobilizer versions and not plug and play... they have a physically different number of pins. I believe my ECU has 98 pins and a 2000 with immobilizer has 118 pins. Jeff from RocketChip knows way more about this then I do... perhaps he'll chime in here?

-Jason

 

[NFSTDI]

RFID chips are a mixed blessing. If you live in NYC, LA, or some other urban area where car theft is a major problem it's a good thing to have. Sure it's costly to get an extra key but no more expensive than an aftermarket car alarm was before the manufacturers started installing them.

As I see it, it's a necessary evil. RFID chips help to reduce car theft resulting in lower insurance rates. The whole transponder thing started in Europe when the insurance companies started asking the car makers to do something to make cars harder to steal. It's been a big headache for us locksmiths because we now have to stock many more key blanks as well as purchase expensive equipment to make car keys. Hence the price of the keys to pay for the added expense.

The dealers did not ask the manufacturers to do this nor do they really want to be bothered with it. Just like us locksmiths, they have to purchase more expensive equipment and inventory, train techs, etc. It's called the cost of doing business. Guess what folks, it's going to get passed on to the consumer.

What I find interesting is the sort of people who will purchase a half million or even a million dollar house and then complain when I suggest that they spend a few hundred dollars on locks. It's the same sort of thing with car keys. The reason everyone complains is because they are used to paying next to nothing for a key.

I'm more annoyed about the current price of fuel to be honest.

 

[winter]

IMMO's can be cleared and disconnected. Ask RC Jeff, he can do 'em for a small fee.

 

[myke_w]

Actually you can do it with your VAG-COM if you have the PIN.

That's not quite true anymore.. Apparenetly the dealer can't give you the pin with thier new setup, it' all smoke and mirrors.. even the techs don't see it..

You need a 3rd party dongle and software called the "Vag tacho" I've used it with success in 2001 and older immo vehicles..

BTW, Cabrios don't have Immo AFAIK, I just installed a new cluster in one, no immo programming needed.. old key + new cluter worked like a charm..

 

[weedeater]

owners of the older cars were supplied the PIN with the original keys. Still got mine. And up until a year or so ago, the dealer could get it for you. But not now as you say. I guess they were giving too much away...

 

[compu_85]

I just saw a 2000 New Beetle (built 3/00), with Immo, but without the W on the key. Strange....

-Jason

 

[ele28]

BTW, Cabrios don't have Immo AFAIK, I just installed a new cluster in one, no immo programming needed.. old key + new cluter worked like a charm..

Cabrios do have immobilizer , its not in the cluster but is there.

 

[compu_85]

^^ same with the Eurovan. I believe both cars got this in 2000.

-Jason

 

[NFSTDI]

I just saw a 2000 New Beetle (built 3/00), with Immo, but without the W on the key. Strange....

-Jason

Could be an aftermarket key. My knowledge of these things is still somewhat limited as I stopped doing automotive locksmithing about five years. The good news is that within a few weeks I will likely be making these keys and within a matter of months I will be ramping back up on my knowledge of current vehicles of all makes.

 

[NFSTDI]

That's not quite true anymore.. Apparenetly the dealer can't give you the pin with thier new setup, it' all smoke and mirrors.. even the techs don't see it..

You need a 3rd party dongle and software called the "Vag tacho" I've used it with success in 2001 and older immo vehicles..

BTW, Cabrios don't have Immo AFAIK, I just installed a new cluster in one, no immo programming needed.. old key + new cluter worked like a charm..

The dealer is not the only source for the PIN. There are actually several devices available to locksmiths that can extract the PIN.