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Fladiver64
Fladiver64 Reader
7/15/19 9:07 a.m.

In reply to Knurled. :

I found the connector that should plug into the key transponder, but no key transponder mounted on the steering column or anything  under the dash that the connector could lug into, We have taken the entire dash out of the donor car looking for the part.. I dont think it was ever installed.

Fladiver64
Fladiver64 Reader
7/15/19 9:08 a.m.

In reply to Dr. Hess :

I think you are right, just not suer how to fix problem if I don't have the parts.

Knurled.
Knurled. MegaDork
7/15/19 9:15 a.m.

In reply to Fladiver64 :

Definitely an odd one.  I assume it started with no key fob as well.

 

I have heard of people who install remote starts getting around immobilizer systems by mounting "dummy keys" in the car...  I wonder if someone did that here.  According to my info EVERYTHING '98 and up has immobilizer.  That is not to say the info can't also be wrong.

 

You say you have a spare computer - is there any chance the computers got switched?

 

I also repeat that apparently Toyota did not do a very good job of static-protecting their computers and issues can develop after being disconnected for a while.  It's not just Toyota, either.  I had a Caravan with an ABS light after a parts store replaced the battery.  Problem was, it was a non ABS vehicle!  A spike or something flipped a bit and the IP was expecting data from an ABS module.

 

Heck, I had a newer Corolla that started to immobilizer no-start after I washed the engine bay.  Blew out the PCM connectors (apparently not waterproof) and all was well again...

Fladiver64
Fladiver64 Reader
7/15/19 9:26 a.m.

In reply to Knurled. :

I marked the original ecu with a sharpie before I took the "new" one out of the box, just to prevent that problem.

If they hide a key somewhere then they did a great job, we have torn the car down to a bare firewall and did not find anything.

Guess it is time for a trip to the JY and see if I can find a Camry steering column with the immobilizer parts installed. Maybe just getting a handshake will get things moving or I guess getting things reprogrammed with a new key.

 

Tyler H
Tyler H UberDork
7/15/19 9:28 a.m.

If you can find the Holy Grail 1997 Camry V6 M/T ECU, then you'll be good to go.  I did ebay search by part # until I found one that was Buy-It-Now.  Made an offer of $30 shipped and it was accepted.  No immobilizer and no AT codes.

Knurled.
Knurled. MegaDork
7/15/19 10:04 a.m.

In reply to Fladiver64 :

AFAIK it takes an act of God to get a PCM to accept a new immobilizer.  The TSB for it is funny - the dealer has to get authorization from two managers and Corporate before they allow a reflash or some such.

Tyler H
Tyler H UberDork
7/15/19 10:09 a.m.
Knurled. said:

In reply to Fladiver64 :

AFAIK it takes an act of God to get a PCM to accept a new immobilizer.  The TSB for it is funny - the dealer has to get authorization from two managers and Corporate before they allow a reflash or some such.

There is a youtube video out there that shows how to get the ECU to relearn a new immobilizer and matching keys by jumper-ing the OBD port.  Take that for what it's worth (and make sure to smash that subscribe button!)  :)

Fladiver64
Fladiver64 Reader
7/15/19 12:13 p.m.

In reply to Knurled. :

I marked the original ecu with a sharpie before I took the "new" one out of the box, just to prevent that problem.

If they hide a key somewhere then they did a great job, we have torn the car down to a bare firewall and did not find anything.

Guess it is time for a trip to the JY and see if I can find a Camry steering column with the immobilizer parts installed. Maybe just getting a handshake will get things moving or I guess getting things reprogrammed with a new key.

 

Knurled.
Knurled. MegaDork
7/15/19 1:08 p.m.
Tyler H said:
Knurled. said:

In reply to Fladiver64 :

AFAIK it takes an act of God to get a PCM to accept a new immobilizer.  The TSB for it is funny - the dealer has to get authorization from two managers and Corporate before they allow a reflash or some such.

There is a youtube video out there that shows how to get the ECU to relearn a new immobilizer and matching keys by jumper-ing the OBD port.  Take that for what it's worth (and make sure to smash that subscribe button!)  :)

Well hell, you're not allowed to put false info on the Internet!

 

Hopefully it works that easily.

Robbie
Robbie UltimaDork
7/15/19 1:14 p.m.

Well, it worked before, so I'm betting that you already have what you need, it's just still hiding in the donor or a parts box somewhere.

Robbie
Robbie UltimaDork
7/15/19 1:26 p.m.

This might sound stupid but I read at least one thread after some quick searches that indicate that the "silver box on the firewall with white connector" that people seem to associate with the immobilizer may be stamped with the words "cruise control".

So maybe plug that in and give it a go?

In general that is what I'd do next though. What is different between now and when it was running? The answer is there.

Fladiver64
Fladiver64 Reader
7/15/19 1:58 p.m.

In reply to Robbie :

The problem I have is I cant find anything in the car that will plug into the connector that goes between the Key transponder and the ecu. I have the connector and have been through the entire wire harness at least 5 or 6 times and have torn the dash completely out of the car looking for something that will fit that connector, and cant find anything.

 

I agree there problem is what is different, so far I have just not been able to find anything. 

My thought is maybe a rip to the JY and get another steering column that has a key amplifier on the column, then at least the ecu would have something to talk to .

The only other solution I see is to get a key and transponders, then have the ecu programed to that key. The problem with that is is is several hundred dollars that we don't have in the budget.

 

Fladiver64
Fladiver64 Reader
7/15/19 1:59 p.m.

In reply to Knurled. :

the problem is my car does not have the key transponder nor a chipped key so there is no way to program the ecu with the parts I have.

Robbie
Robbie UltimaDork
7/15/19 2:02 p.m.

But putting in a different column/keys/etc is just making MORE differences, not less.

Though something may have broken, I have a feeling that's not the problem. You mentioned the cruise and ac wiring were not connected yet. What if you plug them in and give it a shot?

Fladiver64
Fladiver64 Reader
7/15/19 2:07 p.m.

In reply to Tyler H :

the 97 has a completely different wiring harness so I would need to get a wire harness as well. At that point I would rather go stand alone ecu and be done with it.

Tyler H
Tyler H UberDork
7/16/19 3:37 p.m.
Fladiver64 said:

In reply to Tyler H :

the 97 has a completely different wiring harness so I would need to get a wire harness as well. At that point I would rather go stand alone ecu and be done with it.

Even the Avalon and Camrys of the same year have different wiring harnesses.  Connectors are the same, colors and pin positions vary.  I repinned the Avalon harness to match the 97 Camry ECU.  Just part of the process.

Fladiver64
Fladiver64 Reader
7/18/19 10:42 a.m.

Update, I got a key reade and transponder from the JY and that cleared the B2799 no communication with immobilizer system error, but still no spark. I am assuming this means I need to have the ecu programed to a key.

My thought is to send out my spare ecu, which acts exactly the same, to have it reprogrammed.That costs $129 that my budget can't take, but this is more reliable way to see if this is the real problem.  My thought is that if this works then I could go about the DIY reprogram on my original ecu, and install that for the challenge.

Any other ideas?

Fladiver64
Fladiver64 Reader
7/25/19 12:02 p.m.

Last update and I need some more help! sent ecu out to be programed to a key. Installed ecu, taped key to reader, same problem no spark and no injector firing.

 

I have to say I am stumped and cant even think of anything else to try.

Robbie
Robbie UltimaDork
7/25/19 6:33 p.m.

Did you plug in the cruise control stuff yet?

Fladiver64
Fladiver64 Reader
7/25/19 7:38 p.m.

Ok, it is running, not sure why. I was testing the ignitions and  fuel injector pulses with an oscilloscope and the engine fired.  So now we have started the engine several times and gone through a couple of heat cycles and so far most things work.

 

 

MrJoshua
MrJoshua UltimaDork
7/25/19 10:39 p.m.
Fladiver64 said:

Ok, it is running

 

 

Good News!

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