Mini Immobilizer Ignition System

[WENZOR007]

I have a question for all you Mini Fanatics out there. MINI says the cars have a "Immobilizer System" where the key used in the car has a "rolling" code that changes everytime you shut off the car so that the car cannot be stolen.

How is this possible? The car comes with 2 keys. I shut the car off with key 1. put key 2 in and the car starts. is the Immobilzer just Fluff?

just courious.

[LuckyRVA]

Didn't you get a plastic key too? Try starting the car with that key.


-Jason

[WENZOR007]

also works, supposidly that was only for opening the door if you get locked out. Makes no sense. the Immoblizers system that is.

[LuckyRVA]

WTF?? That doesn't make sense. *runs outside to see if my car is the same way*



EDIT: I just started my car with my plastic key too What's up with that?!


-Jason

[WENZOR007]

yep...I remember thinking this when I picked up my car. just wanted to see if anyone had a good explaination...

[Critical]

There is nothing in the manual about this immobilizer system, and ive never heard of it :/

[WENZOR007]

look on MINIUSA.com and check out the list of features

EDIT- also the dealer told me so

[Critical]

wow your right. but are you sure they are not reffering to a way of manufacturing keys/ignitions, so that the cars cannot be driven without one of the 3 keys we are given? the rolling code could be used to ensure that there is no patern in your minis key, so that it only fits your particular ignition?? im just guessing, because it seems like a really stupid claim

[Critical]

Ive been reading it over and over, I think they mean this:
To successfully turn the ignition, a simple code is needed, but every time you remove the key, the code changes, but all the codes in the ignition fit your key, they jsut change each time. So if someone gets the exact code, and make a key to fit it, it wont match, becasue it will only fit one of the codes in the series. the key is manufactured to fit all codes. here the codes would be the teeth of a normal key. make sence?

[LuckyRVA]

Critical that does make sense...I was under the impression that there was a chip or something inside the keys that would match the code.


Also, I think I remember being told that the plastic key wouldn't start the car...only open the doors.

-Jason

[speacock]

There are several systems in play here. Each key has a small cylindrical module inside it. If you open your remote key you can see it. The plastic key has it embedded in the upper end. This chip is powered by a coil around the ignition key and transmits a rolling code to a module known as the EWS (Engine immobiliser). The range is measured in inches. The EWS is shipped knowing 10 chip codes. You should have received three chipped keys with your car and the remaining seven chips are stored in a BMW vault. Each chip code can be individually disabled by a BMW dealer. If you need key number 11 the EWS unit needs to be replaced according to BMW. In fact third party remote start system require a cylinder from a key inserted into a second hidden coil to appease the EWS system.

The EWS and the DME (Engine management computer) share a separate rolling key. If they do not match the DME will not operate the engine. So plugging your EWS into your friend's MINI does nothing unless you have a BMW dealer's programming computer to re-sync the EWS and DME. And swapping both the EWS and DME will run into a conflict with the other electronics like the BC1 (Body computer) and the IKE (instrument console) which verify embedded numbers with each other.

A separate but related system is the ZKE body electronics which support up to four registered remote key transmitters at a time. This is not related to the EWS system, just remote lock, unlock and comfort opening. Also included is the MINI OEM alarm system. It activated/deactivates a motion sensor and tilt sensor based upon a lock/unlock signal from the BC1. So even a disabled key has the correct physical cuts to trigger an unlock signal in the driver's door keyhole. They just cannot use the remote or drive the car if it has been disabled in both systems.

Sean

[arabinow]

the rolling codes work.. use your remote open and close your car with the remote many times in a row.. the system will lock out your remote and you wont be able to open the doors.