Workshop Activities

Security ECU’s keys and codes

In an effort to improve vehicle security, modern fuel computers use a system that talks to the ignition key. Simply turning the lock tumbles to release the steering lock will do nothing to unlock the fuel computer. A second electronic lock must be decoded to energise the fuel computer brain, as the fuel computer talks to the ignition key. The ignition key carries a special code similar to the credit card PIN system. Coding ECU’s to the ignition key has been very successful at defeating our car theft problems.

These sophisticated computer systems, introduced to help prevent vehicle theft, have presented a nightmare to the motor trade. Swapping fuel computers to test a modern system result in total brain failure as the test computer receives unrecognisable codes exchanged between ignition key, ECU and other electronic components, depending on the manufacturer.

For many vehicles, if a fuel computer is swapped and the wrong ignition key signal is received at the fuel computer, the computer will shut down and become useless. Garages like Pratt’s Garage have the technology to assist with these problems.

A partnership established 1983

Telephone 01443 231135

Pratt's Garage, Unit 5 Cambrian Ind. Est. Coed Cae Lane, Pontyclun, CF72 9EW

The web site sets out typical work undertaken and some technical topics which may interest you.