2001 Yaris/Vitz without immobilizer ?

kerten

I am about to buy a 2001 Toyota Vitz 1.0 auto(japanese import). It has tiny keys(doesn't look like there is a space for a chip in it) and owner was using a steering wheel lock.

I suspect it may not have immobilizer.

I was assuming all yaris/vitz has immobilizer as a standard option. Could anyone confirm this ? Is there any dash light that I can check to be sure ?

Thanks

PADRAIC.M

Jap imports don't have immobilizer as it's not law over there just an extra customer option, does it have a security light under heater controls or a black ring around ignition barrel. All cars sold new over here from 1997 have immobilizers fitted

kerten

Thanks Padraic,

I didn't know that. Owner says it has immobilizer. I didn't check immobilizer light or black ring with the car but I will check it for sure.

Am I looking for a flashing red light under heater controls ? any other light on dash ?

VolvoMan

You're looking for a little flashing red light in the middle of the dashboard, above the CD/cassette player, that looks like this:

It's more than likely not immobilised, wouldn't let it put me off the car, steering lock would be advised though.

kerten

Thanks guys,

I think car has this light as far as I can see from pictures. Thanks for help.

colm_mcm

Any I've ever seen don't have one. There would be insurance implications if there isn't one and you tell them it has. Aftermarket immobilisers arent expensive, I wouldn't take the sellers word for it.

kerten

colm_mcm wrote: »

Any I've ever seen don't have one. There would be insurance implications if there isn't one and you tell them it has. Aftermarket immobilisers arent expensive, I wouldn't take the sellers word for it.

I thought same about insurance. Japanese import without immobilizer is not a great formula for insurance companies.


Thanks

andyseadog

my vitz doesn't have any imobiliser, the key is just like a house key

i had a very clever little imobiliser switch put in by an auto electrician, just in a location of my choice, you could put it under the seat, in the glovebox or whatever, and you have to flip that switch before you turn the key otherwise the car won't start.

he didn't charge me much either, around 80 euro i think.

andyseadog

andyseadog wrote: »

he didn't charge me much either, around 80 euro i think.

handy money for a switch, lash of wire and a scotchlok or two
Steering lock is a better option as it's a visual deterrent, by the time the scummer realises your car has an immobiliser switch he's already after breaking in.

andyseadog

well i wouldn't know where to begin playing with the wires, and then the heartache of running them behind the dash etc, for sub 100 quid it was just as easy to pay a pro

you will find with the yaris and its retarded interior that any steering locks that attach to the steering wheel and gearstick most likely wont be long enough (which i found out to my disadvantage, twice) and those other full wheel things would be a bit of a pain in the hole to carry in the car so not an option imo.

you could also get your auto electrician to fit a small blinking LED to your switch if you felt visual deterrent was needed?

andyseadog

andyseadog wrote: »

well i wouldn't know where to begin playing with the wires, and then the heartache of running them behind the dash etc, for sub 100 quid it was just as easy to pay a pro

Chop live to fuel pump after disconnecting battery, and put the switch in series........ fuel pump wiring may well be in back seat or boot area so it's handy enough.

On my Celica I had a stoplock pro on it, just goes on the wheel

Blinking LED is a good idea really if you have the immobiliser switch, tap into the live for the stereo memory and drill a hole in a blank for the LED They sell those LEDs with cabling and fuses/resistors in Halfords and the like.

kerten

Resurrecting my own thread as it is almost same question.

I bought a 99 vitz from a colleague and it doesn't have any immobilizer light on dash as in picture above.

But previous owner told me that when he tried to cut a spare key, key cutter told him that new key won't work because of immobilizer.

I would easily say that key cutter is mistaken but key has bigger case than other vitz keys I have seen before. So I would like someone to confirm that car doesn't have immobilizer for sure before paying extra insurance

Key is same as in picture below.

Atlantic Dawn

kerten wrote: »

Resurrecting my own thread as it is almost same question.

I bought a 99 vitz from a colleague and it doesn't have any immobilizer light on dash as in picture above.

But previous owner told me that when he tried to cut a spare key, key cutter told him that new key won't work because of immobilizer.

I would easily say that key cutter is mistaken but key has bigger case than other vitz keys I have seen before. So I would like someone to confirm that car doesn't have immobilizer for sure before paying extra insurance

Key is same as in picture below.

If the key works then you have no immobilizer, if it doesn't work you have one as the key would need to be coded to work with the immobilizer. The new key likely has coding facility included but uncoded it won't work in a car which has an immobilizer.

kerten

Atlantic Dawn wrote: »

If the key works then you have no immobilizer, if it doesn't work you have one as the key would need to be coded to work with the immobilizer. The new key likely has coding facility included but uncoded it won't work in a car which has an immobilizer.

I don't have a spare key to test this unfortunately. Maybe I should just go and cut a key to be sure.

canihave

Hi, can I just jump in here. My husband HAD a toyota yaris with the little red flashing light on it as per picture. This car was stolen last week outside the house, so I would assume they don't have an immobilizer - unless my understanding of an immobilizer is wrong (I assume it means the car won't move without the key). His was a 04. Hope that helps

kerten

canihave wrote: »

Hi, can I just jump in here. My husband HAD a toyota yaris with the little red flashing light on it as per picture. This car was stolen last week outside the house, so I would assume they don't have an immobilizer - unless my understanding of an immobilizer is wrong (I assume it means the car won't move without the key). His was a 04. Hope that helps

Your understanding is correct. It is strange that car is stolen without keys. It may be towed or ecu may be replaced by thieves.

colm_mcm

Most likely that it was lifted onto a flatbed for parts/cloneing

PADRAIC.M

I can 100% confirm the key in your pic does NOT have an immobilizer, that key is that size due to the wireless door locking feature of the key- that is all.

colm_mcm

As above. I bought a 95 corona jap with the same key.

You need to declare this to your insurance company or get one fitted.

jraftery

an aftermarket proper immobiliser is a great idea and not that expensive and most will have flashing led on them to act as a deterrent to i sell these fitted for just €150 J. (Auto Electrical Concepts):D

kerten

PADRAIC.M wrote: »

I can 100% confirm the key in your pic does NOT have an immobilizer, that key is that size due to the wireless door locking feature of the key- that is all.

colm_mcm wrote: »

As above. I bought a 95 corona jap with the same key.

You need to declare this to your insurance company or get one fitted.

Thanks for the confirmation guys. Time to talk to insurer now.

Fey!

jraftery is the guy who fitted a cobra immobiliser to my last 2 Surfs, as well as 2 bothe hondas I've owned.

Very good work and not too expensive. I've recommended him on here several times before, and I know that a few others on here have used him too.

He also fitted our phonekits, hardwired my roadhawk, as well as towbars and sirens.

kerten

Fey! wrote: »

jraftery is the guy who fitted a cobra immobiliser to my last 2 Surfs, as well as 2 bothe hondas I've owned.

Very good work and not too expensive. I've recommended him on here several times before, and I know that a few others on here have used him too.

He also fitted our phonekits, hardwired my roadhawk, as well as towbars and sirens.

thanks for reference. I'll contact him when I start shopping for these stuff.