System Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2012 Honda Pilot. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The vehicle is equipped with a Type VII (GEN 5) immobilizer system that will disable the vehicle unless a programmed ignition key is used.

The system consists of a transponder built into the ignition key, an immobilizer-keyless control unit (has a built-in receiver), the MICU (has a 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 MICU (imoes unit).

The PCM and MICU (imoes unit) identify this coded signal, then voltage is supplied to the fuel pump.

Fig 1: Identifying Steering Lock Assembly, Under-Dash Fuse And PCM With Immobilizer And Mechanical Key

Courtesy of AMERICAN HONDA MOTOR CO., INC.

*: The immobilizer-keyless control unit can store up to 6 immobilizer keys per vehicle; the original 2 keys that came with the vehicle, and up to four more keys can be added.

If the wrong key is used or the code was not received or recognized, the indicator flashes once, then it blinks until the ignition switch is turned to LOCK (0). When the ignition switch is turned to the LOCK (0), the indicator blinks ten times to signal that unit has reset correctly, then the indicator goes off.

Under normal operation, when the immobilizer code is identified, the immobilizer indicator will quickly flash once, then go off after turning the ignition switch to ON (II).