Drive Box bypass

[Sumflow]

Last year I had trouble with the computer immobilizer. Cleaning it helped but it does not stop rust. Is there any way to bypass the anti-theft module under the drivers seat on Boxster racecars?

Battery is strong, turning the key, no starter, no ignition.

[j.fro]

try this question over on renntrack.com
that's JUST the racecar folks over there

[Jittsl]

Yes there is. A company called Specialized ECU repairs in Florida can provide you with an ECU that does not need the immobilizer. They are not cheap however. I think you will find them at Specialized ECU Repair, Replacement, & Testing - Restore or Exchange your Electronic Control Unit (ECU)

Laurie

[MaxD]

Can't you just get the ECU re-flashed to remove this function?

[Sumflow]

Thanks Laurie,
That is exactly what I was looking for, remove and dispose.

Originally Posted by Jittsl

They are not cheap.

The Dealer quoted me $3,000.00 to replace the computer under the seat with reprogrammed keys. I saw a car last week (2001 from Kauai) that actually cost $3,100.00 to replace the box. The place that you sent me and I otherwise did not find in Google search, wants only $675.00 to bypass the immobilizer by adding a chip that emulates the immobilizer signal so that the car will start. About 25% of dealer cost.

[Jittsl]

Happy I could help. You could also look on eBay. Often you will find a package of ECU, immobilizer and key for $600.

[MaxD]

Adding a chip? I bet you can get a ROW flash that eliminates the immobilzer for around that price.

From Pedro's website The DME

For special applications, such as race cars, we can now eliminate the immobilizer function, allowing the driver to not need the key to start the car.

I'm sure Brad can point you to a resource as well. It's all in the software, adding a sim is not a good solution.

[Jittsl]

Originally Posted by Sumflow

wants only $675.00 to bypass the immobilizer by adding a chip that emulates the immobilizer signal so that the car will start. About 25% of dealer cost.[/COLOR]

I guess $675 to make something NOT work seems expensive to me

[Sumflow]

The EcuDoc’s bypass emit’s a signal that tells the Ecu that it is on all of the time. It does not “Mimic a recognized key's RFID and in order to supply the info when 'requested' by the in-dash RF transceiver security system.” EcuDoc puts something under the CPU, which emulates the Immobilizer Signal for the car to start without the remote's input. Ecudoctors

Pedro says he “can now reprogram a DME to completely eliminate the immobilizer and all the wiring associated with it.” However, with the Pedro cure you lose your windows working. But Pedro suggests:

Originally Posted by Pedro

if it turns out to be the ... the CLU (Central Locking Unit), not the Immobilizer, (that) is wet.

Try removing the driver's seat and then the CLU.

Disconnect it from its harness, remove it from the car and open the case.

Remove the printed circuit board and dunk it in a shallow recipient and cover it with isopropyl alcohol.

Shake it well so the alcohol penetrates all the spaces, in particular between the chips and connections.

Then, let it dry. You can accelerate the drying by using a hair dryer in the cool mode.

Dry out the inside of the case if it had humidity and put everything back together.

If it was water causing the problem, it should now work fine.

We have saved many CLUs this way.

Pedro on CLUs

Pedro makes it sound like the Clu is different than the Immobilizer, but I only remember one box under my seat. In this bypass scenario the original system might still work if the immobilizer bypass failed, because if it did not get a signal from the bypass, it could still receive the signal from Porsche.

Originally Posted by Jittsl

I guess $675 to make something NOT work seems expensive to me

Just like life insurance.

The Porsche dealer says it costs $3,000.00 to replace the drive box with new keys and installation. I have seen a Kauai car where they paid $3,100.00 earlier this month. Immobilizer replacements are a lucrative side business for dealers because they are covered under comprehensive on most auto insurance policies.

[Jittsl]

I believe they actually replace the chip that reads and runs the immobilizer system rather than "adding" a chip. I have no idea weather it can be flashed externally or not but I suspect that they are effectively flashing the chip to build the replacement.

[Sumflow]

Plug and drive. Car starts and runs with key transponder removed and left at home. Nothing else has been removed. Drive box is still vulnerable to rain but will not effect starting when it gets flooded.

Result

Ecu asked to know what I HATED or LOVED about the service.

My reply to Jorge's questions:

I don't believe in hate. But the most annoying thing is hundreds of drivers who respond like empty-headed cheerleaders, “Hooray my car runs.” And do not give any useful information to the people who waste there time reading this dribble, who want there cars back on the road pronto!.

My April 20th online request form to Ecu Doc was not answered. I filled out the form requesting Ecu repair two weeks later on May 4th 2012. The UPS clown squad did not actually pick it up until May 10th. It would have already been in Florida if it was sent priority US mail on that Friday May 4th. If it had arrived in Florida on that Thursday May 10th, when they picked it up. And they fixed it the next day as they did later. It could have been back here in paradise before it was actually delivered to Oakland Park on May 17th. UPS # 1Z50FR219049805824. The DME did not get back here until May 31st UPS # 1Z50FR210351523029. Two weeks later than any competent firm could have delivered it.

After fixing my part, Ecu deliberately handed my DME over to UPS knowing it was going to take an additional ten days, when probably for less money, they could have USPS priority mailed it to me in four. Maybe I did not make it clear that my car was down. Let me rephrase. My car is not running and I want it back on the road as soon as possible!

Boxster Owners
Porsche does not have anything called an Immo Box, or an Ecu, in the technical literature, so unless you do a lot of guessing you will not find it. Porsche calls the computer under the seat a Drive box. It contains one control module for the immobilizer, central locking, and alarm units. In the boot is what Porsche calls a DME (digital motor electronics), or a ECM (engine control module). What Ecu Doc can do is bypass the need for your DME to get permission from the drive box and key, to start your car, by deactivating the key transponder’s function. The transponder signal is intercepted in the trunk, without permanently removing or disconnecting the Drive box. The transponder can be removed from the car. For street use you still must leave the Drive box vulnerable to rain water, under the seat. The ECM stays connected to the starter, fuel injection and the ignition but is no longer connected to the drive box if it ever was, or transponder. You have to wonder if Ecu knows what they are doing using a picture on there web site that shows them all connected together after the conversion?

After finding out about Ecu Doc from Laurie over at 986forum Drive Box bypass I still could not find this company on the Web. Pelican did not have it or Google, unless I specifically used the Ecu name. I did not know there name before, and Porsches do not have a Ecu, so how could I have found them?

It is a good thing that Jorge Morales can be reached through this forum. Upon completion Ecu gave a Repair Summary with a link for additional tech comments that goes nowhere. It does not summarize what we discussed on the phone about the procedure or contain any useful information. Repair was plug & drive, key transponder no longer active.

Donation: John Fitch “The Friends of Fitch Homestead Fund”

Vintage Sports Car Club of America has graciously offered to help with legal expenses, and this week a fund was established make checks payable to “The Friends of Fitch Homestead Fund” may be sent to the Salisbury Bank and Trust Company, P.O. Box 1868, Lakeville, CT 06039.