System Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Acura TL, 2010 Acura TL, and 2009 Acura TL. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The vehicle is equipped with a Type VII immobilizer system that will disable the vehicle unless a programmed ignition key is used

This system consists of a transponder built into the ignition key, an immobilizer-keyless control unit (has built-in receiver), the driver's MICU (has built-in imoes unit), an immobilizer indicator, and the PCM

When the immobilizer key (programmed by the HDS) is inserted into the ignition switch and turned to ON (II), the immobilizer-keyless control unit sends power to the transponder The transponder then sends a coded signal back to the immobilizer-keyless control unit, which then sends a coded signal to the PCM and the driver's MICU (imoes unit) The PCM and driver's MICU (imoes unit) identify this coded signal, then voltage is supplied to the fuel pump

Fig 1: Identifying Immobilizer System Component

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

If the wrong key has been used or the code was not received or recognized by the units, the indicator will flash once, then it will blink until the ignition switch is turned to LOCK (0) When the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK (0) position, the indicator will blink ten times to signal that unit has reset correctly, then the indicator will go off