So I decided to gut one of my steering columns I have in "stock".
Have had it for quite sometime and never really looked at it.
Pretty sure it is from a '99 and has that gray chipped key (with the ignition cylinder) and the immobilizer.
Now I know these things suck and so glad I don't have one in my Jeep.
From what I have read the PCM seems to be programmed accordingly as part of this system.
Are the immobilizer, the gray chipped key with the ignition cylinder, and the PCM all programed to work together?
Or could somebody who lost their chipped key use this immobilizer with the ignition cylinder and the gray chipped key and still have it work with their existing PCM?
Or can you just replace the ignition cylinder with the gray chipped key and have it work with the immobilizer and PCM already in the Jeep?
And why anybody would want to keep this system but is this worth anything?

 

As I recall, if you have an ECU without the immobilizer activated, you can activate it by installing it in an immobilizer equipped vehicle. Once activated, only that immobilizer system will work, unless it gets reprogrammed by the DRBIII. And as I remember, the key HAS to be replaced with another grey key. In other words, you can't undo the ECU immobilizer once activated.

So if you want to go to a black key, you're gonna need a non-activated ECU.

And I believe the immobilizer unit is replaceable and interchangeable.

And that's just from my recollection from when I worked on these when they were still new. I could be wrong...

 

Are the immobilizer, the gray chipped key with the ignition cylinder, and the PCM all programed to work together.
Yes. Minus the ignition cylinder. Once a key is programmed, it can’t be reprogrammed to another immobilizer. I don’t know if the immobilizer can be reprogrammed to another ECU. If it were possible the dealer would have to do it. The vin has to be entered into a new immobilizer for it to be recognized. If the owner has 2 original keys, a 3rd key can be programmed without a trip to the dealer. If the owner has 1 key or none,the dealer and a 4 pin code are needed from Chrysler or the original paper work to program another.
I have the immobilizer on my xj. I know most people don’t like them, but I’m glad my xj has one. If it breaks I’ll fix it. Just like everything else on it.

 

I kinda get what you guys are saying.
The FSM is a little unclear about this.
So to replace a lost chipped key it needs to be programmed to the vehicle.
Assuming I am understanding that correctly from the FSM.
When you replace the immobilizer you need to use that DRBIII thing to program that to the Jeep according to the FSM.
Also assuming that I am understanding that correctly.
But the FSM states these procedures as separate installs best I can tell.
I know I am not asking these question clearly.
And the only reason I care about this is if somebody lost their gray chipped key would installing both these parts make their Jeep run again?
If it would thinking see if I could make a couple bucks and throw this on Ebay.
So is the key programmed to the immobilizer?
Or the PCM?
Or both?
Same for the immobilizer.
Programmed to match the key?
The PCM?
Or both?

 

Found this on Ebay this morning.
For a WJ though.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/13391079020...Condition=3000

 

So I thought I would follow up on this.
Threw it on Ebay for $75 with a shipping cost of $13.45 on top of that.
Even made it so somebody could make an offer by enabling the "Make Offer" button.
Well to my surprise it sold.
Even more surprising is that the buyer paid the full price. Did not even try to make an offer.
Which to be frank I would have accepted thinking this wasn't really worth anything.
I guess PT Barnum was right.
There is an *** for every seat. LOL.

 

In Australia, the later vehicles after 98 have the immobilizer, and my understanding from speaking to people, forums, and a seller is the key and immobilizer chip work together, but the PCM can be replaced separately, however it wont have the the correct VIN displayed, but the vehicle will operate. The VIN has to be re-programmed

 

Well that makes me feel better at least.
Cause you make sound that if somebody did loose their chipped key that just replacing those parts I sold them would get their Jeep to run.

 

So I just got some feedback on the sale of this from the buyer.
They thanked me and gave me a positive review.
I am going to assume that if you lose your chipped key and replace these 3 parts that you are good to go.
Cause I figure otherwise they would not have given me a positive review. LOL.