MR2 Roadster Owners Club

The Workshop => General => Topic started by: fawtytoo on May 27, 2021, 12:13

Title: Does the Roadster have an immobiliser?
Post by: fawtytoo on May 27, 2021, 12:13
Er, yeah, so that's my question. The mechanic at my local dealer said it doesn't have one. But I've got a Toyota Brochure dated 2000 that says it has an immobiliser and alarm as standard (if I've read it right).

I've got 2 keys: a remote key and a valet key. Both start the car. If I have an immobiliser, does the valet key have something inside it?
Title: Re: Does the Roadster have an immobiliser?
Post by: mr2garageswindon on May 27, 2021, 12:16
MR2 yes immobiliser MRs No immobiliser. The UK ones all had it built into the ecu.
All of your keys will have a chip inside them.
Title: Re: Does the Roadster have an immobiliser?
Post by: 1979scotte on May 27, 2021, 12:29
Quote from: mr2garageswindon on May 27, 2021, 12:16MR2 yes immobiliser MRs No immobiliser. The UK ones all had it built into the ecu.
All of your keys will have a chip inside them.

Absolutely correct
Title: Re: Does the Roadster have an immobiliser?
Post by: jonbill on May 27, 2021, 12:53
although many MRS have aftermarket immobilizers fitted on arrival.
Title: Re: Does the Roadster have an immobiliser?
Post by: Chilli Girl on May 27, 2021, 13:24
Does blue have one Jon?  Forget that I remember Carolyn telling me about this.
Title: Re: Does the Roadster have an immobiliser?
Post by: Joesson on May 27, 2021, 13:36
Quote from: fawtytoo on May 27, 2021, 12:13Er, yeah, so that's my question. The mechanic at my local dealer said it doesn't have one. But I've got a Toyota Brochure dated 2000 that says it has an immobiliser and alarm as standard (if I've read it right).

I've got 2 keys: a remote key and a valet key. Both start the car. If I have an immobiliser, does the valet key have something inside it?

My understanding is that both keys can start the car as they have a necessary something inside them, but the main key only can open the glove box whereas the valet will not.
Title: Re: Does the Roadster have an immobiliser?
Post by: jonbill on May 27, 2021, 13:46
Quote from: Chilli Girl on May 27, 2021, 13:24Does blue have one Jon?  Forget that I remember Carolyn telling me about this.
yes, it has a Toad immobilizer, two keys/fobs.
Title: Re: Does the Roadster have an immobiliser?
Post by: 1979scotte on May 27, 2021, 13:47
Quote from: jonbill on May 27, 2021, 13:46
Quote from: Chilli Girl on May 27, 2021, 13:24Does blue have one Jon?  Forget that I remember Carolyn telling me about this.
yes, it has a Toad immobilizer, two keys/fobs.

@Chilli Girl best tell the insurance Jane. You did tell them it's an import didn't you?
Title: Re: Does the Roadster have an immobiliser?
Post by: Chilli Girl on May 27, 2021, 13:58
I didn't need to - they told me it was an import! After all, it's been on this land for approx. 18 years. :o  thanks for the heads up anyway Scotte.
Title: Re: Does the Roadster have an immobiliser?
Post by: tricky1138 on May 27, 2021, 14:08
Quote from: fawtytoo on May 27, 2021, 12:13Er, yeah, so that's my question. The mechanic at my local dealer said it doesn't have one. But I've got a Toyota Brochure dated 2000 that says it has an immobiliser and alarm as standard (if I've read it right).

I've got 2 keys: a remote key and a valet key. Both start the car. If I have an immobiliser, does the valet key have something inside it?

As others have said, if its standard UK spec MR2 it will have an immobiliser with a transponder built into both keys.

There is a small red light in the middle of the heater controls that will flash when your key is not in the ignition and go out when you put the key in.

There is also a totally separate alarm system, which has its own light.
Title: Re: Does the Roadster have an immobiliser?
Post by: fawtytoo on May 27, 2021, 17:10
Quote from: Joesson on May 27, 2021, 13:36My understanding is that both keys can start the car as they have a necessary something inside them, but the main key only can open the glove box whereas the valet will not.
I will have to try that. I tend to only lock the doors, and everything else stays unlocked.
Quote from: tricky1138 on May 27, 2021, 14:08There is a small red light in the middle of the heater controls that will flash when your key is not in the ignition and go out when you put the key in.
And I didn't know that.
Title: Re: Does the Roadster have an immobiliser?
Post by: paulj on May 27, 2021, 21:52
You might also find that the valet key cannot programme new keys.  I only had main keys so cannot confirm.

There is a pedal dance to programme more immobiliser chips (in every key) and the system can hold a dozen or so of them.  You put a "programmed" immobiliser key in the ignition and at one stage in the process you swap it out for the new one.  It takes a while to programme so a bit of patience is needed.

Separately the UK alarm can be operated by the 2 buttons on the key.  Another pedal dance will programme a new 2 button unit (Tokai Rika if you need to buy one) and the ECU holds four keys.  If you add a fifth it deletes key one.
Title: Re: Does the Roadster have an immobiliser?
Post by: fawtytoo on May 28, 2021, 11:03
As regards the master keys; I have the original master key. Obviously after 19 years it no longer works as a remote. There is a guy on eBay that sells refurbished keys with OEM inside in a replica uncut case. To confirm, I could take the insides from his and put it in mine and reprogram, yes? FYI I do have another working master key.
Title: Re: Does the Roadster have an immobiliser?
Post by: paulj on May 30, 2021, 21:11
Any shell with a Tokai Rika unit would work.  Armed with a master key you would be able to programme it both for the immobiliser and the alarm system