security and starting 550

Can someonw explain how to bypass the security feature when starting my 550?
I recall Doody mentioning something relating to this but forgot.
To start the car, After turning the key to I believe the second position, I need to press the key fob security button, then turn the key again to start. I can not just put the key in and turn it all the way to start the car. When I do that, nothing happens.
Am I missing something here. This seems idiotic if this is how it is set up.
Thanks
gary

 

The immobilizer will turn on after X amount of time, even if you don't lock the car.

Look at the red light right next to the oil temp guage. If it is blinking, you need to de-activate the immobilizer, if it is solid, you are good to go.

There are two conditions in which you would de-activate it: 1) you walked away from the car and it is locked. You unlock it as you approach, get in, and start it. 2) It turned on after some time (5 mins?) automatically. Rather than hitting the button and making the lights/alarm beep while you are in the car (happens @ gas stations, for instance), you can get in, turn the ignition on, press the button (at which point it will not make any noise/flashes, but you will notice the red light go solid), and then turn the car on.

--Dan

 

What Dan says is correct but he did not mention one other thing. Many people get confused until they get the hang of the system. By turning the key to the on position and then pushing the button on the remote, the remote can only do one thing, deactivate the immobilizer. It helps, if you are getting confused about what condition the alarm/immobilizer is in at any given time.

 

What I do now is: As I am returning to the car (it is locked from the key fob), I press the alarm button to open the car. Then I get in and put the key in and turn it part way and then have to hit the alarm button again to then turn the key to start it. I believe it does beep when I hit the button after having turned the key partway.
I do not understand how the imobilizer works.
I always use the key fob opener to open the car before I get in.
What exaactl;y do you guys do when starting your cars?
Sorry to be so dense and thanks for the help
Gary

 

you only need to hit the remote button once to deactivate the alarm and immobilizer. if you hit it again, you re-arm everything.

the "trick" thing is what bobafett described - IF the immobilzer/alarm engaged BY ITSELF based upon the timeout, THEN you can get in the car, turn the key to the second position, hit the button and it will disable the immobilizer/alarm without making any noise. that's the only big win - it just does it with no noise.

the only weird thing that you might not have on your other cars with key fobs and alarms is that this one automatically alarms the car after a certain period of time. a nice feature.

think of it is a three-state alarm instead of what you're used to - a two-state alarm.

in my jeep i either hit the button and it locks the doors and sets the alarm OR i hit the button and it unlocks the doors and unsets the alarm.

but in the 550 (and other f-cars) the car can be in one of THREE states:
1) unlocked and unalarmed/unimmobilized
2) locked and alarmed/immobilized
3) unlocked and alarmed/immobilized

1 and 2 happen actively by you pressing buttons. 3 happens passively.

doody.

 

While on the topic, the RF receiver is at the front of the 'stylish' ceiling mounted lamp block. If you are in an area with strong emissions in the spectrum used by the key fob, you might find yourself stuck with an inoperative remote ... and dead car. Moving the fob very close to the ceiling lamp is the only chance to overcome the RF noise floor and get the car started.

 

I’d like to bypass the immobilizer….its a PITA

 

Maybe Trev360 immobiliser delete on the 360 also work on the 550 ?

 

Yup, Trev can bypass it. Get the system in good shape, though and it is very reliable. At least mine has been for the last 15 1/2 years. She does have a new siren from Mark and also a set of his fobs with lithium watch batteries. Works great and did before the new siren and fobs. Preemptive maintenance.