Remote Key Fob & Immobilizer Programming

[TheViper]

Now Available; Alarm/Immobilizer/CDL Emergency Overide

APPLIES TO 2005 - 2007 ELISE / EXIGE USING COBRA 8186
It frequently is asked how to "re-sync"or "program" the remote key fobs into the alarm system, so here it is. Additionally, I thought it would be useful to post on how to program the alarm so that the immobilizer will not "passively" (automatically) arm, but instead, only arm "actively", by using the remote key fob.
Note: The alarm & the immobilizer are two separate, but connected components, and the alarm is already programmed for "active" arming.
Michael

BEFORE ATTEMPTING ANY PROGRAMMING I RECOMMEND BECOMING VERY FAMILIAR WITH THE PROCEDURE & SEQUENCE BY READING THE INSTRUCTIONS THROUGHLY

PROGRAM FOR IMMOBILIZER "ACTIVE" ARMING
USE WHEN YOU DON'T WANT THE IMMOBILIZER TO ARM AUTOMATICALLY
STEP 1 – ENTER PIN NUMBER
1) Turn ignition ON and OFF 3 times within 5 seconds.
2) Tachometer security LED will blink once indicating that the security code can now be entered.
3) Enter security code as follows:
....a) Turn ignition ON & count number of blinks representing 1st digit of code then turn ignition OFF.
....b) Repeat for 2nd digit.
....c) Repeat for 3rd digit.
....d) Repeat for 4th digit.
4) Turn ignition ON and security LED will come on permanently if correct code has been entered

STEP 2 – ENTER MODE TABLE *
Press large remote button “A” for 5 seconds, security LED will go OFF & give one long flash indicating now in the MODE table.

STEP 3 – ENTER FUNCTION TABLE *
Turn ignition OFF then ON, security LED will go out and then flash twice indicating now in FUNCTION table.
Each time button “A” is pressed it changes from A to N indicated by corresponding 1 to 12 blinks.
Program to “N” 12 Blinks - Immobilizer passive arm "OFF" Alarm passive arm "OFF"
Press button “B” to confirm selection
Alarm & Immobilizer will only become active if the large remote button is pressed

STEP 4 - Turn ignition off to leave & save programming

* In either MODE or FUNCTION tables.
Slow blinking of a MODE (A – H) or FUNCTION (A – N) indicates that this is the programmed selection.
Default on the Lotus is Function "F", 6 blinks..


REMOTE KEY FOB - RESYNCHRONIZATION - USE WHEN EXISTING REMOTE CEASES TO WORK
1) Remove battery & wait 10 seconds before re-installing (re-sync can fail if this step is missed)
2) Hold down both buttons (LED will light) for approx.10 seconds until LED turns off.
3) Release both buttons and LED will turn on constantly.
4) Press large button for one second, LED will flash…re-sync. complete


REMOTE KEY FOB - PROGRAMMING - USE WHEN ADDING A NEW REMOTE INTO THE SYSTEM
IGNITION MUST BE ON AND THE ALARM OFF
STEP 1 – PREPARING ALL REMOTE KEY FOBS - ALL FOBS MUST BE DONE SIMULTANEOUSLY
Press and hold both buttons on remote until the LED stops flashing (about 10 seconds).
Do this for all remotes to be programmed
The LED on the remote should stay on until after programming.

STEP 2 – ENTER PIN
1) Turn ignition ON and OFF 3 times within 5 seconds.
2) Security LED will blink once indicating that the security code can now be entered.
3) Enter security code as follows:
.... a) Turn ignition ON & count number of blinks representing 1ST digit of code then turn ignition OFF.
.... b) Repeat for 2nd digit.
.... c) Repeat for 3rd digit.
.... d) Repeat for 4th digit.
4) Turn ignition ON and LED will come on permanently if correct code has been entered

STEP 3 – COMPLETE THE REMOTE KEY FOB PROCEDURE
1) Press and hold the large button on one of the remotes until the security LED light in the tachometer goes out then comes back on.
2) Do this for each remaining remote
3) Turn off the ignition and check each remote for the correct operation.

DISARMING ALARM/IMMOBILIZER USING PIN
1) Turn ignition ON and OFF 3 times within 5 seconds.
2) Tachometer security LED will blink once indicating that the security code can now be entered.
3) Enter security code as follows:
....a) Turn ignition ON & count number of blinks representing 1st digit of code then turn ignition OFF.
....b) Repeat for 2nd digit.
....c) Repeat for 3rd digit.
....d) Repeat for 4th digit.
Alarm/immobilizer will disarm if the correct PIN has been entered

[craracer]

Nice

[chazzer]

Super.... I really don't want the immobilizer to activate/arm itself if I don't want to arm the alarm either. This is great stuff. Thanks a bunch.... I like to just lock the doors with the key and now the immobilixer will not be a pain when I GET BACK IN TO START THE CAR.

[CK_lotus]

Also, would do you know where to get an inexpensive spare key from apart from the dealership? I recently lost mine!

[petroboy]

Thank you. It's helpful to have all this summed up in one place. I've read many of the other threads, but they have so many revisionary posts that I'm never sure which version of this story is correct. The tone of your post is authoritative, brief, and clear, so I'll choose to become a follower of you based solely on those reasons.

[Elisimo]

I'm asking 'cause I have an '08 Elise with the newfangled 'PFK 457' immobilizer/alarm and I'd love to de-program that unit. Also, the key fob fails to work in certain shopping mall parking lots, perhaps due to radio wave interference (?) Anyone else experience this? Weird, can't figure it out.

Thanks, Elisimo.

[TheViper]

Try this Handbook 2008MY Supplement - Fullscreen it's all I have, but you probably have it too.
Michael

Originally Posted by Elisimo

I'm asking 'cause I have an '08 Elise with the newfangled 'PFK 457' immobilizer/alarm and I'd love to de-program that unit. Also, the key fob fails to work in certain shopping mall parking lots, perhaps due to radio wave interference (?) Anyone else experience this? Weird, can't figure it out.

Thanks, Elisimo.

[Aedo]

Originally Posted by CK_lotus

Also, would do you know where to get an inexpensive spare key from apart from the dealership? I recently lost mine!

The metal key or the fob? You should be able to get the metal key from a locksmith - see this thread for details on the blank required. Fobs come up on here from time to time but are readily available on ebay from the UK.

PS: great thread TheViper!!!

[TheViper]

I may have further information on the PFK 457 soon and will let you know.
Michael

Originally Posted by Elisimo

I'm asking 'cause I have an '08 Elise with the newfangled 'PFK 457' immobilizer/alarm and I'd love to de-program that unit. Also, the key fob fails to work in certain shopping mall parking lots, perhaps due to radio wave interference (?) Anyone else experience this? Weird, can't figure it out.

Thanks, Elisimo.

[Me!]

ok, I know this is probably a silly problem, but when I put the pin number in, it unlocks everything, and allows me to start the engine so I know it works. The problem is that when I put the code in, the LED in the tach doesn't stay lit, so it won't let me add more remotes at that time, or change the settings. Any ideas?

[TheViper]

Are you turning the ignition on again? This is needed for the LED to go on.
Michael.

Originally Posted by Me!

ok, I know this is probably a silly problem, but when I put the pin number in, it unlocks everything, and allows me to start the engine so I know it works. The problem is that when I put the code in, the LED in the tach doesn't stay lit, so it won't let me add more remotes at that time, or change the settings. Any ideas?

[Me!]

ok, when the last digit blinks, I turn off the ignition and turn it back on and the fuel pump starts and it then allows me to start it, but the light doesn't stay on. Do I have to turn the ignition on and off again?

[TheViper]

What you are doing is correct for turning off the alarm/immobilizer when you don't have an operating remote fob.
The programming procedure, which is similar, needs to be started with the alarm already off.
Michael

Originally Posted by Me!

ok, when the last digit blinks, I turn off the ignition and turn it back on and the fuel pump starts and it then allows me to start it, but the light doesn't stay on. Do I have to turn the ignition on and off again?

[Me!]

Oh, so you are saying that the immobilizer needs to be off then? If so, just what i thought, just a stupid mistake on my part!

Thanks for your help so far!

[TheViper]

Yes, turn off the immobilizer and then start the whole procedure/sequence again.

Originally Posted by Me!

Oh, so you are saying that the immobilizer needs to be off then? If so, just what i thought, just a stupid mistake on my part!

Thanks for your help so far!

[Me!]

thanks! I'll give it a try tomorrow!

[Me!]

Thanks Viper!

This morning I got all the FOB's working, and deactivated the immobilizer.

[chazzer]

Thanks Viper. !! Only took me three times to get it done correctly. I kept messing up.. ( I did find out that the Functions table at N=12 blinks is the right function to choose as suggested.) Which shows :
Passive (automatic) arming Immobilizer = OFF
Active arming =OFF (you have to press A button on fob)
Siren/horn = output controlled by A button of the FOB.

One more suggestion= Have someone with you to read the instructions to you as you go thru the sequence- (you should memorize it first before starting) This way you are hearing what is coming next with the counting of the blinks etc. ALSO the N function =12 blinks does blink twelve times and is not the 12th letter in the alphabet since for some reason the alarm programming skips J &K and goes to N not L as I thought it would. Confusing to me.

Works great now. Thanks all.

[Elisimo]

Okay, thanks Michael. Probably some others on this board with new Elises/key fobs that would like to do the same.

[Fubar1764]

Viper you're awesome! Before I got the Elise, I looked at your a/c tips. Fantastic. Now this. You rule!