Immobilizer System

The immobilizer system is designed to prevent the car from being started without the owner's ignition key. If an attempt is made to start the car with any other key, the immobilizer system will disable the car's fuel supply.

The immobilizer system consists of the ignition key, immobilizer receiver unit, immobilizer indicator light, PGM-FI main relay, fuel pump, and the PCM or ECM.

With the ignition switch in ON (II) or START (III), the immobilizer receiver unit and the PCM or ECM receive an "ignition on" signal through fuse 46 and the PGM-FI main relay. The PCM or ECM then sends power to the ignition key transponder through the immobilizer receiver unit. The transponder then sends a coded signal back to the PCM or ECM through the receiver. If the signal is correct, the PCM or ECM will energize the car's fuel supply system by grounding the PGM-FI main relay. The immobilizer indicator light flashes a code to indicate that the correct key has been inserted. If the ignition key signal is not correct, the PCM or ECM will not energize the car's fuel supply system by not grounding the PGM-FI main relay. The immobilizer indicator light then flashes a code to indicate that an incorrect key has been inserted.


The vehicle is equipped with an immobilizer system that will disable the vehicle unless the proper ignition key is used. This system consists of a transponder located in the ignition key, an immobilizer receiver unit, an indicator light, and the ECM/PCM.

The vehicle has two kinds of keys.

- The black master key for:
- ignition switch.
- door locks.
- trunk lock.
- glove box.
- trunk handle.
- rear seat and pass through.

- The gray valet key for:
- ignition switch.
- door locks.




When the key is inserted in the ignition and turned to the (II) position, the immobilizer unit sends power to the transponder in the ignition key. The transponder then sends a coded signal back through the immobilizer unit to the ECM/PCM.

Problems And Replacement Parts:

- The immobilizer system can store up to six key codes.
- If it is necessary to rewrite the ECM/PCM to learn a new key, the dealer needs the customer's vehicle, all its master keys and valet keys, and the Honda PGM Tester equipped with an immobilizer program card. Any key that is not learned during rewriting will no longer start the engine.
- If the customer has lost his key, and cannot start the engine, contact Honda Customer Relations.
- If the proper key has been used, the ECM/PCM will energize the fuel supply system. The immobilizer indicator light in the gauge assembly will simultaneously come on for about two seconds, then go off, indicating that the immobilizer unit has recognized the code sent by the transponder.
- If the wrong key has been used and the code was not received or recognized by the ECM/PCM, the indicator light will come on for about two seconds, then it will continue blinking until the ignition switch is turned OFF.
- If the ignition switch is turned OFF, the indicator will blink for about five seconds to signal that the ECM/PCM has been set correctly, then the indicator will go off.