[Michael P]

I'm not certain that you do in fact have an immobilizer issue, and I've prepared a short video (1 minute) to explain why - the video is done in a Nissan Navara because none of my Suzukis have push button start, two have immobilizers, one of them does have keyless start, but it's not a push button start.

The "start sequence" is going to be triggered when the start button is pushed - the immobilizer is going to begin by looking for an authorized key, and if it doesn't see one, you'll get a message to that effect - the form the message takes can vary with the type of dash - your car should have a display similar to the one in the Navara.

If there is an immobilizer failure, for example it's not communicating with the rest of the electronics, or the rest of the electronics, don't recognize the immobilizer as an authorized unit, the message will be different, most likely something along the lines of "service start system" which you are not getting.

When I try to start the Navara without the fob in it, I get the "No key detected" message - as far as I can tell, you're not getting that, you're getting a "Turn steering wheel to unlock" message - and what that says to me is that your immobilizer has recognized that an authorized key is present - your problem is coming further down in the start sequence.

Incidentally, the video was made to demonstrate two things - the second being that the immobilizer function is completely passive (from the key transponder point of view) and separate from the keyless entry function - you're going to see me start the truck using a keyfob from which the battery has been removed, effectively disabling the keyless entry system.

What I'm going to suggest you do is try starting your car without having the fob in the vehicle - look at the error message that you get - it's not going to attempt to unlock the steering if it doesn't recognize an authorized key - as long as the sequence of events changes when the key/fob is in the vehicle, you'll know that the system recognizes the key and you can stop focusing on the immobilizer.

If the "Turn steering wheel to unlock" message is a consistent one, then perhaps take a closer look at the steering lock - it's either not releasing or the system doesn't know that it has released - you don't hear it in the video, because the radio came on, but the Navara also has a solenoid style steering lock which is controlled by the start system.

so its RFDIS of course

 

[Michael P]

so what deactivates the immobiliser? because that's where I believe my problem is sand I'm not the only 1 having this issue.

 

[Michael P]

Its not using Bluetooth its a 434 or 315 mhz digitally coded rf pulse train.
Usually 315 for north America and 434 for rest of the world. That communicates with the security module via several antennas around the car if yours has the door request buttons and keyless start, or via 1 main centre antenna if purely keyless entry. This is bi directional in keyless start models, the security module polls for a valid transponder code from the fob. Gets the valid code blue key on dash, car us good to go. Invalid code, yellow key.
RFID antenna around the ignition barrel to detect passive chip in key.
Depending on model, if engine is running, or ign is in acc position the lock and unlock buttons are disabled on the remote to stop random locking/unlocking if a button is pressed.


Now for the basics, have you cleaned the battery contacts with a decent pencil eraser? One of the old red ones on the school penciks works best. If you're not getting a decent contact, the polling response from the fob can be too weak for the car to detect. (Assuming yours is bi directional)
Read the owners manual too, seen too many people put the wrong battery code in the fobs. Manual should also tell you the dead spots where not to have the fob too. In the 3rd gen, the centre cup holder us a known dead spot and can cause issues.

Hope this helps shed some light on possible things to check.

thanks, wow uhf pulse codes, (RF frequency band allocation are 1 of the few internationally cooperated schemes world wide) Mine is keyless start, when immobilised even with fob touching start button still wont work, original fobs with new 2032 batteries cleaned with alcohol based wipes recently, main battery replaced last year with cleaned and petrol gel greased contacts. looking thru other threads on this forum, others are having same problem, being described variously, all 2011 models.

I could be wrong, but I believe the 315/434 MHz frequencies are used by the key fobs, the immobilizer transponder systems uses a much lower frequency which is not country specific.

Below is an excerpt from one of my owner's manuals outlining some of the causes of interference.

View attachment 103800

sorry for dragging this on but fascinating, like i said frequency band allocation, is done for specific function/technologies so that its consistent around the world for obvious reasons, hence other vehicles using this freq for fob transmission may interfere with mine, but don'+t get why "the immobilizer transponder systems uses a much lower frequency" is relevant when the immobiliser receiver has to be the same frequency as the fob transmitter to work, or it dont. all frequencies are allocated world wide for certain purposes, HF, UHF, cellphone gen 2, 3 4 5 wifi bluetooth, microwave all of em, so that the equipment using then can be manufactured n sold to universal markets, just saying.

 

[Michael P]

I assumed the fob communicated with immobiliser via bluetooth, some kind of proximity sensor, what is it magnetic? all i know is it fails to do this sometimes and if engine not already running, wont unlock, at various random times and places. ,leaving me stuck.

 

[Michael P]

i have a RF background, no interference, same on 2 fobs w fresh batteries, whilst running "no fob message" came up briefly while engine was running. presume if the Bluetooth ignition receiver id fluctuating it makes nom difference whilst running. but cant start till it does, everything else functions expect ignition. till it does again. was hoping someone's been thru this b4, cant be my car alone in the world. note, this is from first ever shipment of this model into aus, aug 11 build, nov 11 1st reg. bought it 20 months old w 95k in the clock, had been a reps car, all on the open road. done 220kk now. this is first problem ever, am i looking at replacing half the cars electronics, or a receiver module.

 

[Michael P]

didn't notice at first, but when i cant start, there is also a yellow key symbol on top rh cnr of dash display. this is immobiliser warning. it stays on even when ive shut it down. the steering lock is part of immobiliser sequence. it simply wont start and comes up with the steering message. sometimes my lock, manually unlock procedure works first or second time, sometimes i have 20 to 30 tries b4 key symbol disappears n then it'll start. the immobiliser receiver must be fluctuating n if i hop in when its not working, im going nowhere till it works again, this has happened 40 to 50 times over 3 years, but I've had 3-4 months no issue, then out of the blue, here we go again.

 

[Michael P]

thanks for that, worked out i can shove it around a degree or 2, but that may just be to the stop, but you literally cant do that with no power steering, plus that's not the problem, just the stupid dash warning message. the ignition system is immobilised.