No Engine Immobilizer Prior to 11/2021

928 Views 19 Replies 6 Participants Last post by QLENFG, 5 d ago

Christian Antalics

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

Thefts Prompt 17 States to Urge Recall of Kia, Hyundai Cars | Industrial Equipment News (ien.com)

I have the 6-speed manual which is an anti-theft device in and of itself, lol.

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imaddicted2u

· #2 · 2 mo ago

My Smart Key Canadian Venue made on Dec 20, 2020 has the immobilizer. Not sure if all Canadian models have the immobilizer as standard equipment.
Here's how you tell if you have immobilizer in you Hyundai...
Smart key, push start button to Acc or Start...look for this icon to light up for up to 30 seconds, if it does, you have an immobilizer...
Key Start, insert key, turn to Acc or Start...look for this icon to light up, if it lights then goes out after the engine starts, you have an immobilizer...

Font Circle Signage Graphics Automotive exterior

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nicedream

· #3 · 1 mo ago

imaddicted2u said:
My Smart Key Canadian Venue made on Dec 20, 2020 has the immobilizer. Not sure if all Canadian models have the immobilizer as standard equipment.
Here's how you tell if you have immobilizer in you Hyundai...
Smart key, push start button to Acc or Start...look for this icon to light up for up to 30 seconds, if it does, you have an immobilizer...
Key Start, insert key, turn to Acc or Start...look for this icon to light up, if it lights then goes out after the engine starts, you have an immobilizer...
View attachment 1818

From what I understand, the lack of immobilizer problem only affects cars that do not have push button start. In other words, if you have push button start, you have an immobilizer, and are not included in the recall.

Christian Antalics

Discussion Starter · #4 · 1 mo ago

One of my neighbors in suburban Baltimore, Maryland had their Elantra stolen the other day, probably by someone using the hack mentioned in the article. The problem is so bad that the local police department is handing out free The Club steering wheel locks to the owners of vulnerable models. Unfortunately, my neighbor didn't get the memo in time.

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venue1947

· #5 · 1 mo ago

Christian Antalics said:
One of my neighbors in suburban Baltimore, Maryland had their Elantra stolen the other day, probably by someone using the hack mentioned in the article. The problem is so bad that the local police department is handing out free The Club steering wheel locks to the owners of vulnerable models. Unfortunately, my neighbor didn't get the memo in time.

not sure if all the Hyundai and KIA's have the power off switch in the vehicle by the fuse box and if shutting off the power would this stop the power to the right pieces of equipment that would prevent the electronics that the thieves need to steal the vehicles and even if it prevents the owners from opening their doors the owners can still use their key that's in their key fode to open their car door and then switch on the power?

I'd think that disconnecting the power at the battery would prevent the thieves from stealing the vehicles because none of the electronics needed would work but the problem with this is that it requires the computers to restart and more then likely screw up all the settings that the owners have done.

years ago before the internet and the computers we have today, when I had to use my phone line to dial into the equipment with my "silent 700" I looked after to make changes from home or check on things, I first had to dial into the number of the equipment that had my phone number in it's data base and then hang up and the equipment would then dial into my phone and into my "silent 700" and then I was connected to the equipment...this was fail safe because no one could hack into the equipment because they had to be where the equipment was and program in their number...the reason I'm mentioning this is because even though we've gone light years ahead with the computer age we have really gone backwards with our safety in normal life and I doubt we will ever achieve what we think we can! 🤷‍♂️😉

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imaddicted2u

· #6 · 1 mo ago

Here is a list of items that the fuse switch disables...

www.youcanic.com

What Is The ON / OFF Switch Inside The Fuse Box Of A Kia / Hyundai

We hope you find the What is the ON / OFF Switch Inside the Fuse Box of a Kia / Hyundai guide helpful. Check these troubleshooting and repair guides for more

www.youcanic.com

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Christian Antalics

Discussion Starter · #7 · 1 mo ago

venue1947 said:
I'd think that disconnecting the power at the battery would prevent the thieves from stealing the vehicles because none of the electronics needed would work but the problem with this is that it requires the computers to restart and more then likely screw up all the settings that the owners have done.

I leave town for weeks at a time and always disconnect the negative terminal of the battery where it is grounded on the chassis and when I reconnect the trip computer and all my settings are saved. This also has the secondary benefit of blocking the "TikTok Hack" because there is no power in the bus for comms.

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venue1947

· #8 · 1 mo ago

Christian Antalics said:
I leave town for weeks at a time and always disconnect the negative terminal of the battery where it is grounded on the chassis and when I reconnect the trip computer and all my settings are saved. This also has the secondary benefit of blocking the "TikTok Hack" because there is no power in the bus for comms.

a lot of computer types of equipment have capacitors that hold power that can keep some memory.

imaddicted2u

· #9 · 1 mo ago

Christian Antalics said:
I leave town for weeks at a time and always disconnect the negative terminal of the battery where it is grounded on the chassis and when I reconnect the trip computer and all my settings are saved. This also has the secondary benefit of blocking the "TikTok Hack" because there is no power in the bus for comms.

Adding a switch like this would save you wrenching on the negative connection.

Robot or human?

Lokpi

· #10 · 1 mo ago

My Venue (2021) which is standard key ignition start has immobilizer. I think it depends on the laws in your country if its required or not by default

Christian Antalics

Discussion Starter · #11 · 1 mo ago

Lokpi said:
My Venue (2021) which is standard key ignition start has immobilizer. I think it depends on the laws in your country if its required or not by default

What is your country?

Lokpi

· #12 · 1 mo ago

Christian Antalics said:
What is your country?

Macedonia

Christian Antalics

Discussion Starter · #13 · 1 mo ago

Lokpi said:
Macedonia

Interesting! Does Macedonia follow EU guidelines?

Lokpi

· #14 · 1 mo ago

Christian Antalics said:
Interesting! Does Macedonia follow EU guidelines?

Yeah the dealerships are mostly importing from their mother companies in EU so all the vehicles are for the EU market

Christian Antalics

Discussion Starter · #15 · 1 mo ago

Lokpi said:
Yeah the dealerships are mostly importing from their mother companies in EU so all the vehicles are for the EU market

That makes sense, then, since EU standards are often more stringent than U.S. standards.

QLENFG

· #16 · 22 d ago

Somewhere, I stumbled across a list of key types vs security module installation -- for the Kias, at least. IIRC, if you got two flipper keys, the vehicle had the security module, otherwise, maybe not. However, the thieves don't know this, so if you drive a potentially affected vehicle, it would be prudent to get a visible theft deterrent, do keep the morons from attempting a theft and tearing up your vehicle.

As far as the theft deterrent, many are easily defeated -- just check YouTube. I did see a cable lock that wrapped around the steering wheel and plugged into the seatbelt receptacle -- with a locking shield to prevent access to the seatbelt latch. Looked interesting, and might be an alternative.

What I have not seen, is one of the steel clamshells that goes around the steering column cover. These were the rage when GM had theft issues in the 80s. Once again, if the device is not obvious, you'll still wind up dealing with a busted window.

QLENFG

· #17 · 14 d ago

Just got a letter from Kia on our 2011 Soul about the theft issues. Quick and easy request for a free steering wheel lock -- took all of 5 minutes to fill out. Supposedly ~2-week lead time on delivery.

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venue1947

· #18 · 14 d ago

QLENFG said:
Just got a letter from Kia on our 2011 Soul about the theft issues. Quick and easy request for a free steering wheel lock -- took all of 5 minutes to fill out. Supposedly ~2-week lead time on delivery.

what I'd really like to have, if it was legal, have a bomb hidden in the car with a remote control connection that I could detonate after some scum bag stole my car with the scum bag in it. 🤣

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QLENFG

· #19 · 11 d ago

That was quick:

Dear XXXXX

This email is to confirm that your complimentary steering wheel lock has shipped to the address you provided.

In the packaging, you will receive the following information:

• A User Guide and/or Installation Instructions; and
• Any warranties and return policies; and
• Who to contact if you have any questions about the use of your steering wheel lock

If you have any further questions or concerns about your Kia vehicle, please contact Kia Customer Care at (800) 333-4Kia (4542).

Sincerely,
Kia America

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QLENFG

· #20 · 5 d ago

...And the steering wheel lock from Kia showed up today. Google ARSN 6009L - many for sale on FleaBay. Made in China, of course.

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