Immobilizer VAZ 2114 where is it located

The VAZ 2114 immobilizer is an anti-theft device designed to protect the car from theft. If the car is broken into and when you try to start the engine, the immo will activate the engine blocking to prevent movement in the car. For what reasons the immobilizer may fail and how to disable it yourself, we will tell you in this article.

3 Video “Visual instructions for disabling immo with your own hands”

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Location of the immobilizer on the VAZ-2114

Location of the APS-4 immobilizer on the car

The fact is that the Tolyatti designers who created the “four” mocked the consumer by installing an ECU and an immobilizer under the pipes of the car’s heater system . Thus, if the tightness of the system is broken, they must be filled with antifreeze.

What is an immobilizer and why is it criticized?

Since the beginning of the 2000s, an automobile anti-theft system (APS) has been installed on all injection engines produced in Tolyatti.

Initially, the first “tens” were equipped with APS-4 , but they were soon replaced by more modern APS-6 .

The standard anti-theft system is otherwise called an immobilizer.

The meaning of the system is as follows: an attempt to steal a car will end in nothing. The attacker will not be able to start the engine, and if he does start it, then after driving a few hundred meters the fuel supply will stop and the engine will stall.

The idea is good, but there are a number of problems that arise during its operation:

Software failure . The electronics does not see the update of information supplied by the ignition key or does not recognize it. There were cases when, having stopped and turned off the engine, it was no longer possible to start it.
Engine blocking due to low battery . Leaving your car in a parking lot for several days in winter can accidentally activate the system.
Serious problems when connecting an alarm system with auto start.
Breakdown, contact closure due to poor location .

Interesting! The first injection VAZ-2114 were produced either without APS, or with an unconnected unit dangling inside on its own wiring. Nobody knows what this was due to (savings, lack of equipment or another reason), but the fact remains.

Troubleshooting

In the case when a car with an active immobilizer does not communicate with the computer, you need to know the following: the K-Line wire connects the diagnostic connector and the APS. Only then does the power enter the electronic control unit.

In the event of a malfunction, you need to make sure that the system is connected to the correct connector. If the result is positive, you can try to disconnect it and bridge the 9th and 18th contacts .

This will result in a direct connection between the ECU and the diagnostic connector, bypassing the anti-theft system.

In case of malfunctions related to the operation of the immobilizer, it is necessary to take into account the fact that this is a complex electronic device. Therefore, to troubleshoot it, it is recommended to contact a professional auto electrician.

Important! In the event of breakdowns associated with its operation, you need to know that restoring functioning after the intervention of unskilled hands can be difficult, and in some cases completely impossible.

Deactivation and activation (pros and cons)

The Bosch ECU on the VAZ-2114 came complete with an APS-4 immoblizer

When deciding whether to deactivate the immobilizer or not, you need to know the following. APS-6 or 4, although it has a number of significant drawbacks, it really counteracts hooligans who may decide to ride in a car parked near the entrance. The alarm does not turn off the engine and fuel system.

The anti-theft system of the 6th series, on the contrary, turns off the power to the fuel injectors (the 4th turns off the fuel pump and glow plugs). Therefore, it’s up to you to decide whether to connect it after the next glitch or not. But at least, if they decide to steal a car, then they will need their own ECU; you can’t take the car with your bare hands.

Immobilizer deactivation video

Safety Notes

A standard device such as the APS provides the best level of protection. But an alarm system, even the most modern one, can be considered only an additional security device. It does not exchange data with the ECU and does not prevent the engine from starting. At the same time, when installing an alarm system with auto-start, blocking is always implemented. Two cords going to the main unit are connected to the starter cable. And until the security is turned off, you cannot start the engine.

All wiring connected to the ignition switch carries significant current. But doing the installation yourself does not always ensure good quality connections. In general, it is better to entrust the autostart connection to an experienced electrician. We wish you success.

Immobilizer functions on the VAZ-2114

VAZ-2114 automakers consider it their duty to install an anti-theft system, called a standard immobilizer, on every vehicle they produce. This device communicates with the engine (with its injection controller) using certain programs. Thanks to the program, an enabling signal is sent to the controller, which does not independently initiate the engine start. That is, the program of the built-in anti-theft device blocks the start of the engine.

The mechanism of operation of the immobilizer is to break the connection of the vehicle's electrical circuit in one of the significant places. This location may be the ignition or starter electrical circuit. Due to the rupture, the car will not start and will remain stationary. The calculation is that if a thief wants to steal a car, it will be protected by an immobilizer program that will prevent the engine from starting.

So that the owner of the VAZ-2114 can control the standard anti-theft system, electronic code keys are attached to it. According to the instructions, the car driver must use the electronic code key in the following way:

insert it into a special socket (for a contact type of device) or bring it to the system status indicator - ISS (for a contactless type of device);
The immobilizer system reads the key program code;
The vehicle lock will be disabled.

But in addition to the code key, to start the engine (it is called the “working” key), the owner is provided with a second key - the “learning” key.

They differ in standard colors:

worker – black;
educational - red.

Initially, you should carry out a training procedure for the anti-theft system so that the immobilizer is triggered by a working key, since the new car is in an inactive state. It can only be activated using the red “learning” key. As soon as this happens, the functions of enabling and disabling the anti-theft device will transfer to the working “black” key. Thus, a standard immobilizer is intended to protect the vehicle from unauthorized engine starting. The offender, even after climbing into the car, may try to start its engine. But he won’t be able to go anywhere because the immobilizer system in the VAZ-2114 will block the engine.

Types of devices

Any immobilizer, not only from VAZ, has its purpose. This device must create conditions under which the movement of the car and any manipulations with it automatically become impossible if someone tries to gain unauthorized access to the car. Okay, isn't it? Someone gets into your VAZ 2114, tries to move away, but it doesn’t move and shows no signs of life at all.

This effect can be achieved using various methods: blocking the gearbox gate, blocking the fuel pump, or closing a certain valve in the pipeline, which may also cut off the air supply.

In general, you understand the essence of the immobilizer device. The great advantage of just such a device is that its electrical unit can be placed in the most unpredictable place and the thief will break his head a thousand times, but will not be able to turn it off.

Possible problems with the immobilizer on the VAZ-2114

The standard anti-theft device on the VAZ-2114, according to user reviews, can sometimes block the engine so that even the owner of a working key cannot start it. This is due to the peculiarities of the functioning of this device - it draws conclusions about its actions based on the code of the working key of the car owner, and issues commands to start the engine. The driver's problems with the immobilizer begin as soon as the system stops accepting the code. In these cases, the electronic control unit will block the engine and it will not start. You can influence the standard system against vehicle theft by connecting a diagnostic device or a regular computer.

Experts note a number of cases where the immobilizer system malfunctioned when the mobile phone was turned on, which created interference.

Photo gallery “Reflashing the control unit”

1. Wiring diagram of the plug on the control unit 2. Adapter and connection diagram 3. Screenshot of the flashing utility

A more complex, but more effective option is to reflash the control unit. To implement it, you will need a soldering iron, a computer with a flashing utility, and a board programmer. Flashing is carried out as follows:

First, the control module is removed from the car.
Next, the cover of the device is opened.
Now you need to find a board with immo data written on it. If your car uses the January control unit version 7.x, then the circuit designation is 24С04.
Next, you have two options for solving the problem - you either install a new circuit, or you will clean the old one. To perform the cleaning, you will need a computer or laptop with a Windows operating system, as well as an appropriate memory cleaning utility. There are many programs on the Internet, you can select software for a specific ECU model.
The next step will be to desolder the circuit using a soldering iron, as well as install a new board. Well, or you reflash the circuit, whatever. If we are talking about firmware, then with the help of a properly configured utility you can complete this task in just a few minutes.
When the process is completed, all you have to do is solder back the new board and check the functionality of the system.

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How to disable the immobilizer on a VAZ-2114

Disabling the immobilizer on a VAZ-2114 may be necessary in several cases:

there is a need for a more advanced anti-theft system (for example, equipped with auto start);
if the immobilizer is full of “software junk,” the control unit fails;
the car has a device with an anti-theft function that has a manufacturing defect;
the blocking system generates an error as a result of the battery being completely discharged;
There was a sudden blocking of the standard anti-theft system.

There are several ways in which you can disable the immobilizer on a VAZ-2114 without any problems.

The first method is to physically disable the immobilizer. To do this, we perform several simple steps:

remove the connector from this anti-theft device;
We put a jumper for diagnostics.

The second method is to take the engine control unit to a service center or go there by car, and qualified specialists will deal with the control unit. Typically, disabling the standard anti-theft system takes about fifteen minutes.

How to disable the immobilizer on a VAZ-2114 with your own hands

The manufacturer equips basic VAZ-2114 cars with an injector with an anti-theft system such as an immobilizer. But for various reasons, some owners of this vehicle model complain that it is impossible to start the engine (ICE) due to a malfunction of the immobilizer. Solving this problem and disabling the immobilizer on the VAZ-2114 is a task that many car enthusiasts are trying to solve on their own.

Functions and purpose

Domestic manufacturers of the VAZ-2114, addressing the issue of protecting the car from theft, equipped the base model with a fuel-injected internal combustion engine with an anti-theft system - an immobilizer. This is an anti-theft device with a special program that both promotes engine starting and blocks its operation.

The device sends an electrical signal to the engine electronic control unit (ECU), which in turn gives the command to start the internal combustion engine. Thus, the anti-theft system works to block the internal combustion engine in the event of a car theft.

The principle of operation of the anti-theft device is to break the electrical circuit of the vehicle, which serves to start the internal combustion engine. There may be a break in one of the electrical circuits of the ignition or starter system, which makes starting the engine and its operation impossible. Therefore, in the event of a vehicle theft, the anti-theft system will resist the thief, blocking the engine from starting.

Principle of operation

The basis of operation of the VAZ 2110 immobilizer is the exchange of information between the ECU and the device itself. In this case, either permission to start the engine is triggered, or the ignition circuit is blocked along with the fuel pump, without which you will not start the car, and accordingly, you will not go anywhere. Thus, without initializing the key of this car, the engine will not start.

Exchanges data with the electronic control unit (ECU)
Can allow or block engine starting
If an attempt is made to start a car that is not disarmed, the immobilizer blocks the fuel pump and ignition system

Data exchange between the ECU and the immobilizer is carried out using a diagnostic system (K-line), the settings of which can be changed in several ways:

by connecting the supply system for diagnostics;
with the ignition on.

It should be remembered that when installing an immobilizer on a car, the battery cannot be fully charged, since its memory can only be retained if there is a partial absence of power. Some VAZ owners disable the immobilizer themselves. This can be done without risk to the machine if you have licensed equipment.

Where is it located and what does it look like

The device looks like a small plastic box. Mobile, it can be placed anywhere in the car, eliminating the possibility of lengthy search and disconnection.

For basic models equipped by the manufacturer with an anti-theft device, it is placed in the instrument panel. The immobilizer is located to the right of the steering shaft, not far from where the ignition switch is located.

To dismantle the system, just disconnect the light bulb and antenna connector on the key fob, find a separate unit attached to the right side of the steering column, and use a screwdriver to remove it.

The marking of the immobilizer unit is APS-4, but the body of this device can also contain electronics from APS-6.

The manufacturer can install devices with different operating principles on the VAZ-2114:

engine operation is blocked in the absence of the owner;
The engine is blocked after a few seconds of operation;
the engine and door locks are blocked, turning into a “trap” for the thief.

According to the principle of operation, the devices can be contact (starting the engine without the original key) and non-contact (the original key must be within the range of the device).

Possible problems

On a VAZ-2114, the immobilizer can sometimes block the operation of the internal combustion engine for no apparent reason, so that it cannot even be started again. This is due to the design feature of the system, which, based on the main key code, gives the command to start the internal combustion engine.

Problems with starting the internal combustion engine begin when the anti-theft system stops accepting the code. In this case, the operation of the vehicle’s engine is blocked by the engine control unit.

To eliminate the problem of the anti-theft system, use diagnostic stands, a laptop or a personal computer.

There have been cases where the anti-theft device malfunctioned due to signals from electromagnetic fields, incl. and from interference with a mobile phone.