[Reiton]

Ok, I've had my baby for almost two years now and have never thought to ask this. On the bottom of my dashboard, below and to the right of the steering column, is a computer connection. When I bought her, the dealer had to put a chip or bridge in this port in order for the car to start. With the chip out, you can turn on the car, but not start it. When I asked the dealer what it was they just said that it was a dealer installed item and would cost me to have it removed. My question is: what else does this port/device do besides disable the ignition? What is it hooked up to (the computer or just the ignition circuits) and can it be used for anything else (diagnostics, reprogramming...) I've tried the procedure to get the car to list codes (on the odometer) but it will not work. Is this because of this port?

While I'm in the typing mood, can someone give me the specifics on the fuel injectors (size, characteristics, flow rate, amp/voltage, part number), the part number and specifics on the Trottle Body, and the specifics on the heads (intake cfm/cc, exhaust cfm/cc, combustion chanber size). I will be getting all the tech manuals, but not for a couple of weeks. Thanks for any help you guys can give me.

Dave

 

[TehKing]

That almost sounds like where they would hook up the in-car breathalyzer for drunk drivers who have been ordered to have those devices in thier cars.

I knew someone who had one, and that sounds like the connection.

 

[Thrasher]

I dunno about that, i know when i toko my car to the dealer, right about where he is talking about they hooked up a computer to my ride and did all kinds of diagnostics, to tell me i left my gas cap open.

 

[BK]

Its an engine immobilizer- my friends Nissan had that where you had to insert a special key, remove it and then start the truck. It keeps people from driving off the car by disabling the fuel system. It sounds like the dealer disconnected it in yours but left the hardware.

 

[BK]

sorry, just re-read your post. I'm not sure what else can be done if that's a dealer installed item.

 

[MoparPerformance]

RE: Key/Ignition command to retrieve fault codes....

I could never get it to work either with my 99ES

I could never get it to work either with my new 02' SE, one day I got pist and kept trying over and over and finally got the "Done" with of course and expectedly no faut codes since it's a new car.

You gotta sometimes just keep tryin'! It will work. Try it different ways etc....

Yeah, I had one of those "Locktronics" Engine imobilizer things, never got the key with it. When I had my aftermarket Viper alarm system added the installer just tore it out.

I like the idea and I am actually going to have one installed on my 02'.

Think about it.... If someone carjacks you what are they gonna do....? They can't start it, you could even have the key for it somewhere in the car, they'd have to look for it and couldn't go anywhere, I'd just be like... "I'm not sure why it wont start, probably broke down again"

They couldn't get far with it....


Later guys

 

[DEEPRED]

The usefulness of such a device would be limited to ES and above owners who have systems that use the "smart (grey) keys" anyway. The cars won't stay started w/out them. Or is this part of the same system?