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355 Immobilizer

Discussion in '348/355' started by DrewH, Jul 18, 2013.

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  1. DrewH

    DrewH F1 World Champ
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    #1 DrewH, Jul 18, 2013
    The immobilizer in my 355 was only working half the time and now the car won't start ever. I had it at the dealer who replaced the battery unnecessarily and the car started every time while it was there. A new one costs $3K and takes 4 - 5 weeks to get from Ferrari. Apparently it has to be programmed at Ferrari for my car. Ferrari insisted that they receive proof of ownership even though my dealer knows me well.

    When you press the button on the key fob it does the normal beeps but won't start. Has anyone bypassed the immobilizer on a 355?

    I am terrified to take my car back to the dealer as they have had to re-paint the wheels on my car four times since I've owned it due to them scratching and chipping them, had to re-paint a brake rotor because they took a chunk out of one, get grease all over the tan carpet and one time when I got home after them servicing it I could spin the lug nuts off with my hand.
     
  2. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
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    #2 vrsurgeon, Jul 18, 2013
    Ah the delight of the early to late 90's immobilizer. My Boxster had no problems whatsoever, but the 993 that uses the same as the 355 and 360 has similar groans from people.

    Supposedly.. supposedly.. if you disengage the drivers door switch in the door jamb and inactivate it so that the courtesy light doesn't come on in the car.. you don't have to use the fob to start it. I haven't confirmed this though.

    Check the battery in your fob, check the fuse to the alarm and immobilizer, check the alarm siren. If these go it can be hard to start the car.

    Supposedly if you replicate the signal from the ECU to the immobilizer, you can bypass it. I know there are immobilizer bypasses out there. I just havent tried them yet though if I have issues I'm so playing with it. You can also supposedly get an ECU reflash that eliminates it. Is there an immobilizer relay? Bypassing this might solve the problem. Sorry don't know the electrical system of the 355. Does it crank but not start?
     
  3. DrewH

    DrewH F1 World Champ
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    #3 DrewH, Jul 18, 2013
    When you press the button on the fob it does the normal beep sequence but not a sound when you turn the key. How do you disengage the drivers door switch?
     
  4. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

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    #4 greyboxer, Jul 18, 2013
    If yours is the later system with the Bosch RK112 type fob you may want to look in the various model sections for similar issues ie 355 / 360 / 456&550&575
     
  5. DrewH

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    #5 DrewH, Jul 18, 2013
    My car is a 99 and one of the very last 355's made. I did some searches on this site before posting thinking that I may dig up something.
     
  6. vrsurgeon

    vrsurgeon F1 World Champ
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    #6 vrsurgeon, Jul 18, 2013
    To disengage the door switch.. that little plastic pin that pokes out of the door jamb near the door hinge that gets pressed in when the door closes... That connects to a switch or two contacts. You know.. you might be able to just glue it in. Unfortunately, this assumes you can start the car normally.. and only works if you can get the car started anyway with the FOb and alarm system.

    OK. So.. the starter doesn't turn at all. In the 360, there is a relay that disables the car. I'm not sure if this is the case with the 355 as well. Can you check if you're getting power at the starter relay? Its not the fat electrical line that goes into the starter.. but the smaller one. If you are getting power to this when you (have an assistant) turn the key, that suggests a bad connection or bad starter. If there is juice but no starter.. bad starter.

    If all this checks out, and all your fuses are fine.. then the immobilizer might just be bad.
    And you can try something like this: Ferrari 360 Immobilizer Kit P N 182137 with Fob | eBay

    If all this is greek and you normally don't work on your car and don't know the fusebox or electronics.. try an independent mechanic in your area that is recommended here.

    Sorry to have you go through your electrical system.. but there isn't a simple jumper or twist two wires together solution to my knowledge. I cede to the others here..
     
  7. DrewH

    DrewH F1 World Champ
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    #7 DrewH, Jul 18, 2013
    I just found out that the car came with a four digit code that is suppose to allow one to bypass the immoblizer by turning the ignition key from the "0" position to position # "2" for each number. I found it in my owners manual kit and it in a sealed envelope that said "To be opened by registered owner only" on it. I tried following the instructions about 25 times and I still can't get it started. The dealership told me that they have a real hard time with this process also. Funny though that they didn't mention this option and I found it on my own.
     
  8. cfasullo

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    #8 cfasullo, Sep 21, 2013
    Did you ever get issue resolved?
     
  9. DrewH

    DrewH F1 World Champ
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    #9 DrewH, Sep 21, 2013
    Yes. Had to replace the ignition. The set comes with new door locks also.
     
  10. cfasullo

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    #10 cfasullo, Sep 22, 2013
    How long did it end up taking for you to get the part? I am going through the same crap now just sent in proof of ownership, but I need the european alarm kit/immobilizer.
     
  11. DrewH

    DrewH F1 World Champ
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    #11 DrewH, Sep 22, 2013
    I started the process with Ferrari but cancelled as I took my car to a private mechanic and he got the set without the need for ID etc. Maybe you only need to go through all the BS when you need an immobizer and since I replaced all three of the locks instead you don't?
    Anyway he seemed to get the lock set in quite quick. Something like four days.

    Good Luck.
     
  12. cfasullo

    cfasullo Karting

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    #12 cfasullo, Oct 2, 2013
    Certainly seems that way i need the immobilizer and this is basically hell to deal with. Ive had no month for 6 weeks already and the part still isnt ordered bc capital one doesn't have a clue what i'm looking for on this letter! I am ready to get rid of the car, thats how aggravated i am!
     

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