Anyone know what components are needed to program a new key to the immobilizer?

[Hindsight]

I'm guessing no one is going to know this, but I'm going to throw it out there......

I have only one key with my 2007 donor. It has the RFID inside it for the Immobilizer system. It works fine but I want a spare. The Subaru dealer said I have to order a key then bring the car in for them to pair the key to the car. Sounds about right to me.

But this brings up the question of: What components are needed to remain in the vehicle in order for the key pairing process to work? Obviously I need the immobilizer, but what about the keyless entry unit, door locks etc?

[JeromeS13]

See Freds' post below.

[Hindsight]

Oh wow, ok that is good to know. Since most people aren't going to keep the power door locks, I'm wondering how people (with 06-07 donors) are planning on getting keys working? I was lucky to get a key with my donor, but I don't have a keyfob for the keyless entry.

Edit: I looked into it online and from what I see, it looks like the procedure you can do at home is related to the keyless entry remote, not the actual RFID in the key which allows you to start the car.

[freds]

I got one original key with my donor. It woks perfectly in concert with the Immobilizer and ECU from the same donor. No key fob or door locks required The key itself is the only thing needed to start the car.

For security, I wanted a duplicate!!!

I had to get the Subaru to order me a key which is supplied by the Subaru main parts department and is made specifically for the VIN number of the original donor. (and therefor ecu and immobilizer)

Then the dealer had to hook up to the OBDII port with their computer and program "the setup" so that the new key would be recognized as an "authentic" key.

So now I have two valid keys and I'm shy of a little north of $200 for the this. And I know the folks at the dealership (who have helped me a lot over the course of my build) so I'm pretty sure this wasn't an "Oh boy here comes a live one...let stick it to him" price.

Summary:

I believe there is no easy (read cheap) way to get a new key and teach your car to accept it. Seems to be real security involved. I may be wrong!

fred

[Hindsight]

Thanks for the info Freds. I have two questions for you:

1. What year is your donor?
2. Do you have the Keyless Entry Box hooked up in your 818?

Thanks!

[Evan78]

I have a 2005 Legacy and dealt with this. I ordered an uncut key with integrated remote off ebay for $40 (vs $125 at my dealer). I forget where I had it cut, but that should be easy to source. My four local dealers quoted me $50-$80 to do the immobilizer programming. You need all keys on hand when you go to the dealer. I did the keyless entry programming myself per the instructions in the owner's manual.

I was told that they have to call an Subaru facility that closes at 5pm eastern time, so keep in mind that timing is subject to staff beyond your dealership.

The car will start without a keyless entry remote. I've set the alarm off on my 2002 WRX and 2005 Legacy several times and it can be turned off by cycling the key from off to on 3 times quickly.

45605

[DodgyTim]

Some auto locksmiths can clone your existing key, that way the car doesn't need to go to the dealer.
They effectively take your good key, read the chip, then cut a new key and program the chip on the new key to be identical to the existing one. Your car doesn't know its a new key:)

[Hindsight]

I thought the key itself can't be coded.... it has an RFID chip in it which is static, and the car is coded around the chip inside the key?

[DodgyTim]

I thought the key itself can't be coded.... it has an RFID chip in it which is static, and the car is coded around the chip inside the key?

It isn't a standrd subaru key the locksmiths use, it is programmable.
The car is coded to original working key, in this case the second key is exactly the same as the first, the car can't tell the diference.
It may not be the best solution for everyone, but it can free you from a dealer visit, which during the build stage can be a pain

http://www.ezkeylocksmith.com/Auto.html#Cloned_Keys

I'm not sure of any differences between US and JDM cars, but my 2006 needed two working factory keys to program another key.
I never had two working keys, so cloning was my only option.

[freds]

Thanks for the info Freds. I have two questions for you:

1. What year is your donor?
2. Do you have the Keyless Entry Box hooked up in your 818?

Thanks!

My donor is/was a 2006 and
I'm pretty close to sure that I deleted it. It's been a while since I did the harness work.
I have just checked my electrical notes and find no record of having retained it. I also just checked the Subaru manual and the schematics on Keyless entry and Immobilizer do not show any interconnections.

[freds]

Quote from Dodgy Tim.....[I'm not sure of any differences between US and JDM cars, but my 2006 needed two working factory keys to program another key.
I never had two working keys, so cloning was my only option.]

Now I've read your link about cloned keys (thanks) I believe that the dealer did reprogram the car's electronics or both-the-original-and-new-keys as he put each of them into the ignition a few times making entries on his computer each time, before he finished and disconnected his computer from the OBD port.

fred

[Sgt.Gator]

If you want to remove the key altogether, and the immobilizer, how do you program the ECU to accept that? Or if you remove the immobilizer are there no problems with the ECU looking for it?

[Hindsight]

Wow, didn't know aftermarket keys were available with programmable RFID chips. That's pretty cool.

Thanks for the additional info Freds.

Sgt.Gator, you can't remove the immobilizer and the key, to my knowledge, unless you have a pre-2006 donor.