hi there, we are new here so please be gentle...we have just purchased a 1997 p reg subaru impreza 2000 turbo

we are having trouble with the alarm and immobiliser...

it has got a cobra alarm fitted, and it seems the key fob has broken....the button you press to disarm the car is not making a click sound anymore...

ive tried disabling the alarm using the ignition switch, you can enter a code by turning it on and off in a set order, but still nothing...

so the question is did this model have an immobilser fitted from the factory...and if so how did it work??...we only have one key and it only fits the boot and the ignition switch...it will not fit the door so we cannont lock it at the moment...did the key you used for unlocking the doors disable the immobiler???....

i think i have disabled the alarm ok as the red flashing light for it is now off, but theres also a light in the dash with a key picture surrounding it, this is still flashing, and the car wil not start....

ive tried using the backup key fob from the alarmthat you press into a hole in the dash but that didnt work....i looks like the alarm is knackered and i want to remove it, it is 9 years old anyway...but would they have linked it into the factory immobiler if it hade one?....or is it just knackered and need to pull all the dash out to look....??

when we got the car when you disarmed the alarm the car would start fine...

any thoughts...just really need to know if they had a factory fit immobilser, and if so can it be bypassed of is it built into the ECU??....

many thanks...hope i get a fast reply as the car is outside with no alarm and unlocked!!...

cheers...

 

we need more details really but my advise would be firstly bin the cobra alarm if it did have a factory alarm its in the ecu and no you carnt bypass it easy and it would be very silly for someone to post how to do it



first things first bin the cobra alarm its got on

 

thats what i would do i have removed 3 now they as they always seam to mess up on me

 

so if i remove the cobra alarm, and is still wont start, meaning its got a factory immobilser, how can i then start the car without the key that unlocks the cetral locking??....would the factory immobilser have had its own key fob to disarm it, or would it go off when you unlocked the cars doors??

if i contacted a subaru dealer could they get an original key for the car??

im gonna have to firstly take the dash out, then remove the cobra alarm...then see what happens.... my thoughts are that if the car started wn you disarmed the cobra, surley removing it will fix the problem...it was professionaly installed in 1999 and i cant see them leaving the factory immobilser there as well....??

so can anyone confirm that this model subaru had a facory immobilser??

 

Chances are it does have a factory immobiliser, most UK cars needed one as standard for insurance purposes.
Your best getting a speciallist in to do the work, if you have taken 3 out before and it still doesnt work then your missing something, someone who deals with alarm systems on a daily basis will put you right, and hopefully put you a new one in

Tony

 

Yours does have a factory immobiliser. The flashing key symbol on the dash gives it away. It is operated by a transponder in the ignition key, when it is inserted the flashing light goes out and the engine will start. The immobiliser is in the ECU and will only work with certain transponders. Subaru can supply a replacement key and reprog the ECU for around the ton mark, providing you have all the relevent proof of ownership.

By the way, will the ignition key work in the passenger door? If so lock the drivers door from the inside then lock the passenger door from the outside.

 

As Tony says, take it to someone who installs alarm systems, I have removed a factory fitted system from a MY99, to repair, it's not straight forward as all the wires will be the same colour, I won't go into what is involved though on a public forum.
But if you don't know how it’s been wired get a specialist in, it will cost more if you have tried to remove it yourself, and he has to pick up the remains