That very comment means I don't have to say a thing...
That very comment means I don't have to say a thing...
The process involves reading data from a memory chip in the immobiliser box. It's simple enough to do but does require specialised equipment. That's why the people who do this professionally have a mail order approach where customers send them the immobiliser box. I didn't like the idea of mine getting lost or damaged in the post so would have gone with a local option.
Mmmm, interesting. The donor for my project came with 2 keys, but one was the valet key, so pretty useless as it stands. If I could make it a working key that would be great.
Did you DIY the data dump from the CODE box? If so, would you share the details so I can replicate it please?? I have the green label version too.
...and of course, you can guess the next question!! Would you be able to program me a transponder given the data?
I suppose another route would be if it’s possible to clone the good key directly?
Last edited by NoCorseChris; 19-06-2020 at 09:04.
I'm happy to have a go a burning a new transponder key chip - the blanks only cost a couple of quid so its no real loss if it doesn't work.
The hardware I have for burning new key transponder chips can read existing keys but for some reason can't copy they directly and can only produce new transponders using the data dump from the immobiliser box.
The process to extract the data is reasonably straight forward and I found it on one of the Alfa forums
The required data is stored in the 93c56 eeprom chip (in the blue square), and as I don't fancy removing it to read it and then re-soldering it afterward I am reading it with it in place on the board. When reading the data in this way it is suggested you short-out the oscillator crystal next to it (in the red square). As the crystal legs stick out quite a bit I just rest them on a coin while reading the eeprom. Photo is of a white labelled box but the circuit board layouts are the same.
To read the data from the eeprom I am using a reasonable cheap-and-cheerful USB eeprom programmer hooked up to my laptop and a test-clip (for soic8 format eeproms). Just make sure the eeprom programmer is compatible with 93 series eeproms as the really cheap ones may not be.
When the hex data has been successfully read from the eeprom (in 16 bit mode) it should look like this screen shot.
The 5 digit security code is contained in the string of characters I've highlighted (needs to be decoded using what looks to be a substitution cypher rather than a calculation).
Hopefully that all makes sense.
Last edited by Stradale493; 21-06-2020 at 17:07.
Fantastic, thank you for all that - makes perfect sense.. I've just ordered the same programmer, once it makes it's way from China I'll get busy.
I'll bother you again once I have that data dump done. To confirm, I have the green label CODE box. I presume it has at least 2 key codes stored, but if I end up with a clone of the one I have, or 'the other one' that's all good, as long as I have a spare.
Presumably the transponder burner won't clone existing keys for the obvious reasons!! Shame though, it would make life simple wouldn't it.
Anyone with my level of security paranoia should probably avoid posting their data dump directly to the forum so you may prefer to PM when you've extracted the data or if he want any tips on getting the eeprom reader hardware and software "up and running".
Anyway, I think I have now emerged from the slight detour of trying to pair an ECU to an Immobiliser box.
Compared with reading and writing data to the Immobiliser box chip, this one is more like "open heart surgery" and I understand why the companies that do this professionally all have photos like this on their websites.
But after several hours of faffing about I finally managed to read the data off the processor, modify it back to "factory fresh mode" and write it back to the processor.
I hooked the ECU up to one of the "green label" immobiliser boxes I've been messing with, powered them both up with one of the key transponder chips I burned a couple of weeks ago, and the ECU is reporting "Engine start permitted".
So it looks to have successfuly "paired" with the Code box and the Code box recognised the key chip as valid.
I feel like I've earned a nice cup of tea and chocky biscuit.
Cheers,
Graham
Well done that man! Treat yourself to two biscuits.
Last edited by NoCorseChris; 28-06-2020 at 21:20.
Yes - very impressive ! (i hope you are able to duplicate your method and maybe write up some instructions for those able to understand this stuff!)
Bookmarks