EK Civic Key/Immobiliser problem

[Nick.]

Hi all,

Sometimes when I turn the key to start the car - it won't turn over!
I usually just remove the key, turn it 180° and put it back in and the car starts no problems.

I guess it is to do with the anti-theft chip-thing in the key.(?)

Is this a common problem? Is there a fix short of replacing everything?

Regards,
Nick
97 EK Civic GLi Manual

[ECU-MAN]

Hi Nick

when it does not crank do you get the green imoobiliser light come on in the cluster ??

[dark8]

i have been using a non-chipped key in my EK4 for about 2-3 yrs now and it sometimes does the same thing. if its the above problem as ECU-MAN said and the green imobiliser light comes on then its the same thing that i have.

IMHO:

If it is the immobiliser and the chip is playing up there will be no fix unless u have the red (white?) honda key where u can go back to honda and get a replacement chipped key.
if after the key is replaced and u still have the problem then it will be the immobiliser unit which i got quoted around $1000 (back 2 yrs ago) to replace and get a new set of keys (inc the master red/white) key.

My problem is a bit more serious as i have lost the chip and was sold the car without the red/white key. If you have a chipped key, better get it taped up so you dont lose the chip.

There is a trick to get the car started without the chipped key, but thats something i dont think i need to explain as you dont have that problem.

[Nick.]

Thanks ECU-Man and Dark8,

I can't remember if the green light illuminates/flashes...I think so though, that is why I thought it was the immobiliser.

I have 2 Black keys and the Red key. I'll use the other key and see if it helps. But Murphy's law says it will be the transponder in the immobiliser.
Murphy's law also says I won't have any problems for ages - now that I am trying to isolate the cause :)

Can you swap over the transponder unit around the key barrel but keep the same immobiliser control unit and keys?

Dark8, if you want to contact me privately I'd be interested in learning that trick.

Rgds,
Nick

[ECU-MAN]

the transponder is in the key, the only way is to purchase a new key and have it programed into the system.

[dark8]

i guess anothe way you can do it is to buy Mugen or Spoon replacement ECU. From memory and personal experience (i had owned both ECUs before) when using those ECU's it wont need the chipped keys. I reckon those ECU's would be cheaper than the immobiliser unit IMHO and might even help (or deteriorate) performance lol.

[Limbo]

Nah i have this problem once in a while. Take the key out and put it back in and it will start. I'm too lazy to change it. You could always just get another key cut this will fix the prob. I think its just cos the key's transponder is getting old and not sending the signals correctly sometimes.

[EK4R]

hmm thought i bring this up instead of making another thread.

my black key rubber is like ripped and done for. so i got my key (no rubber) all taped around with the chip inside the barrel. it seems to be doin its job just like before. but the car beeps and the green key light flashes. is this normal??

also another quick qns. my 97 ek car immoboliser is always on right? even if my car alarm is broken and switched off with the key.

[**Ghost**]

I have an ek4 as well... and this problem scares me

Wondering is there a way to kill the immobiliser altogether? rip out teh whole thing, do away with the need for it?

thanks. (ps: yeh it might be a bad idea from theft point of view but i can always get aftermkaret)

[ECU-MAN]

you probably have to relocate the transonder