Immobilizer Bypass for Starter/Alarm, 2007 Subaru STI

I have a question about them. How are they connected and powered? Reason I ask: I have a chip in my key, but now that I have an aftermarket starter/alarm, I can use a key that has no chip installed! I like it, but I don't. I thought the bypass was only powered or active when the starter is activated, then shuts off. But as I stated, I had a cheapo key without a chip cut, and it works fine, even with the starter or without using it. I know the install shop unplugged my factory keyless entry module, but I would assume the immobilizer is controlled elsewhere. I have an STI, but the old 2004 STi's had no immobilizer and came with this badass blue/silver titanium key that I plan to use since it will work. My bro-in-law and I were trying to figure this out...

It's possible they wired it incorrectly. You should not be able to start the car with a normal key unless there is no immobilizer.

A couple of questions...     I gather its a Subaru STI, but what year?   Did the shop that installed the remote starter take and use a working key from you or did they have an extra key made and programmed to your car? 

A Subaru needs a working key for the R/S bypass.  The goal is to temporarily bypass the immobilizer system during remote start and only remote start.  The extra key is hidden under the dash and sometimes the blade part of the key is removed ( or never cut ) to prevent theft.  The fact that your car can be started with a plain metal key means you have lost the anti-theft capability of the immobilizer system!!  

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Soldering is fun!

subarus require a dealer scan too to program the bypass. i highly doubt the shop would bring it to a suby dealer and have them do it.

a few questions:

did you give them 2 keys, and when you picked up the car, only one key was returned?

if so, they used a key in box style bypass, where one key is buried under the dash. if done correctly, you can only start the car with a chipped key. if you can with a regular key cut from a local hardware store, most likely they bypassed the system completely OR the transponder bypass is constantly on. as kregs mentioned, the bypass itself should only be activated during remote start.

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Ted
2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School
Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries
Compustar Expert

They probably wired up the bypass module wrong, I,m not sure what alarm you have but on Viper alarms you would connect the Blue(-)RS status output to trigger the bypass module to override the immobilizer temporarily.

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**ADVANCED MECP CERTIFIED

Are you sure the car had a transponder to begin with?

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COMMIT YOUR WAY TO JEHOVAH AND HE WILL ACT IN YOUR BEHALF. PSALMS 37:5

i know the canadian models have the transponder, but maybe yours doesnt.

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Ted
2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School
Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries
Compustar Expert

The US Subaru STi started having a transponder in 2005. The 2004 was the first model year in the US. It did not have a transponder.

I vote for the bypass was hooked up wrong.

Unplugging the factory keyless entry is pointless. If they unplugged the factory alarm (optional feature), that makes sense.

Big3etr, help us out here. What model year do you have? What alarm/starter? Did they put in a unit designed for a manual tranny, or did they put in an automatic unit and hook up to the neutral wire at the ECU so it doesn't start in gear? I've probably done about 15 or so WRX's and STi's from 2002-2007 so I know the car well. I owned a 2002 WRX, and 2005 STi.

I think Subaru started using transponders in them in 2005. 

Not sure on Subaru's but on a Dodge with a key-in-box transponder by-pass, if you put a working transponder key in the cylinder, but don't turn it,  and then start the car with the R/S it won't start and it will give you a security light.  It doesn't like seeing two valid keys at the same time...

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Soldering is fun!

sorry, I had to tend to my 18 month old daughter and put her to bed.

Car: 2007 Subaru STI

starter/alarm: Compustar FT6000AS (CM6000 brain) (2W9000SS remote)
I gave the install shop 2 keys, one of which I use to drive the car, the other for the bypass (grey Valet key).

My car has an immobilizer chip in the key, and yes only the 2004 STi did not, from 2005 UP all Impreza's have the immobilizer.

They should've put in the configuration for a manual. I told them up front, before they go into it.

My money's on directly grounding the status input wire to the by-pass rather than using the R/S's status output, = permanently engaged by-pass.

howie ll wrote:

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My money's on directly grounding the status input wire to the by-pass rather than using the R/S's status output, = permanently engaged by-pass.

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Would it also be possible if they put the module too clos to the ignition?

I've seen some cars that will still start if the key is within half a foot.

I have the dash apart, since I am doing some work on the system myself. I am connecting the rear defroster, trunk release and the windows to the system. I am not sure what the bypass module looks like, but I will try to follow the wire ring from the cylinder to where the bypass is sitting. I assume it's not too far from it, there is a black box within about 6-9 inches from there, closely next to the integrated module. I will try to snap some pictures later.

Yes it's theoretically possible but in fact extremely unlikely. You'd have to physically get within about 1/2"/12.5cm of the antenna ring around the ignition switch not forgetting the key box is the size of a pack of Marlboro 100s. My second guess is they didn't use a by-pass box, they either used your key, by removing the antenna ring from the ignition switch and burying the key in it, or removing the chip from the key and glueing it to the antenna ring. Both of which I've had to do here because of a lack of dedicated by-passes. That would permanently disable your factory transponder.

Well I found the bypass box, there is a black w/white stripe wire that goes up and around the key cylinder. The bypass box is about 9-12 inches from the keyhole in the cylinder. since it's so cold, and it's parked outside at my work, i can't spend much time outside looking, nor do I have a camera available like I thought. Will have to get some pics once I get home from work.

If this was a shop that did the install, I would button everything back up and let them do the work themselves, this way it doesn't void the warranty. Explain the bypass issue and that you were under the impression trunk/defrost/etc was included with the install and await their response. This way you won't void the warranty on the install. They should definitely take care of the bypass for you, and for the inconvenience might also hook up the rest (atleast I would lol)

x1le] wrote:

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If this was a shop that did the install, I would button everything back up and let them do the work themselves, this way it doesn't void the warranty. Explain the bypass issue and that you were under the impression trunk/defrost/etc was included with the install and await their response. This way you won't void the warranty on the install. They should definitely take care of the bypass for you, and for the inconvenience might also hook up the rest (atleast I would lol)

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You wuold think. They kept my car there for 3 days to do it, and 2 days just to replace the antenna on my wife's old compustar system. They are very slow, and was thinking of doin it myself, cuz they told me they would charge me extra to install the defroster.. What a load of crap, so I said screw you, adn was planning on it myself.

big3etr wrote:

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You wuold think. They kept my car there for 3 days to do it, and 2 days just to replace the antenna on my wife's old compustar system. They are very slow, and was thinking of doin it myself, cuz they told me they would charge me extra to install the defroster.. What a load of crap, so I said screw you, adn was planning on it myself.

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If you have a multimeter, the proper tools, and actually want to do it - I say go for it! I, along with other members I'm sure, would be more than willing to help ya add the extra connections and troubleshoot your bypass.

if it was a key in box, look for a connector that doesnt lead to the ring around the cylinder.

there are 2 wires. one will test constant 12v while the other stays on ground during remote start IF hooked up right.

it could be that they did waht howie mentioned, or they grounded it permanantly and connected 12v to your ign or acc. it could be either scenario.

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Ted
2nd Year Tier 1 Medical School
Still installing as a hobby...pays for groceries
Compustar Expert