imobiliser def '96tdi - Horizons Unlimited

**Richard K** · #1 22 Jan 2004

Does anyone know how to,(or who can) get rid of/bypass the factory fitted system?

It strikes me as a total liability in remote areas—no green-badged mechanics with testbooks to 'reset' the system.

Our two local LR dealerships won't go near it nor will any of the local alarm fitters.

**Roman** · #2 23 Jan 2004

Richard,

If it the same immo as in '98 Disco 300Tdi(called "spider" in LR parlace), it disconnects the starter motor relay and injection pump cut-off solenoid. It is hidden in a box away of the alarm unit. You will need to buy from Landrover the Electrical Troubleshooting Manual so that you can locate the relevant wires (identifing the right one with a probe as they are all black), then create a bypass using a hidden switch.

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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

**kitmax** · #3 31 Jan 2004

Immobilisers again - Disco 300Tdi 1998
What to do if the alarm-set battery fails?
My French Land Rover distributor gave me a four-figure code to enter, using the ignition key in the drivers door lock – 3-left turns, 4 right turns etc. This disables the engine immobiliser which may then be started using the key.
Is anyone familiar with this procedure? Does it work (haven’t had a chance to try yet…!)

Roman, I am very interested in your reply above - I would be much happier to disable the immobiliser completely before my trip to Tibet in April. Is there any internet source of info re the box and wiring you mention? Any other help much appreciated.
PS How's the TLC shaping up?
Regards Kit

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Kitmax - Traveller
Desert Pictures at
http://www.kitmax.com/kitmax/kit03ph...velgallery.htm
homepage http://www.kitmax.com

**Richard K** · #4 2 Feb 2004

Thanks Roman, it's nice to know it's possible. Although the procedure sounds tricky. Is the LR manual explicit on the subject?

kit,
our def '96 imobilised itself (for no apparent reason) between the Sudanese and Ethiopian borders. In 40c with no shade and surrounded by a large crowd of excitable onlookers. All that the key-turning, door- opening hoohah did was provide some entertaining 'Farangi theatre'.
Rip the thing out!
Let me know if you find any more info
cheers, Richard

**Roman** · #5 6 Feb 2004

Hello guys,

Right now I away from home and have no access to my Diso documentation. Please remind me to check it out when I am back from the trip (second half of Feb.)

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Roman (UK)
www.overlandcruiser.info

**Richard K** · #6 29 Nov 2005

Here's a blast from the past! Roman, Kit - did either of you ever get to the bottom of this?

I've tried, but the electrical manuals read like Japanese subway maps to me.

**diesel jim** · #7 4 Dec 2005

Wheni built my 90, i installed a spider unit (but i removed the innards from it and fitted my own relays and grafted it into my own alarm), so i know how they work!

best way, if you don't want to hack the spider unit around (as all the wires are black, you'll have fun tracing them) is to buy a "harness engine,standard on,65amp,less burglar alarm,turbo diesel,less EGR,less air conditioning,less anti theft alarm" part # AMR2956

this will plug into the main dash harness, and, (Cross fingers) should bypass all the alarm rubbish. it also does away with the EGR unit (which you can just unplug anyway on the EGR equipped vehicles)

you'll have a little loom stripping to do, to keep your vehicle "tidy" of un-used wiring.

**Richard K** · #8 5 Dec 2005

Diesel Jim - this sounds ideal - would you call it a 'plug and play' solution or is fitting the harness tricky?

**diesel jim** · #9 5 Dec 2005

Umm.. it's /fairly/ plug and play... you'll have to remove the loom from the engine (which is just several connections and a lot of cable threading.. the connections are FIP solenoid,oil pressure sweitch, water temp sender and alternator feed wire (not the big outpur cable) and the loom threads behind the injector pipes.
Then i just plugs into the main harness next to the clutch and brake pedals under the bonnet.

that /should/ be it (famous last words!) if the engine starts and stops OK after that, you can remove the spider stuff (watch as some of it will be live and un-fused)

I've got the wiring diagrams, so shout if theres anything you need info on.

cheers

Jamie

**Richard K** · #10 8 Dec 2005

Cheers Jamie, I'll cost it up and give it a go - although it looks like I may have left it too late in the day (I drive in Jan and the bus is still in pieces on the pavement).

I guess a long wire from the battery to the starter motor and solenoid should serve as emergency back up?

**diesel jim** · #11 8 Dec 2005

Yup, a bit of wire from the +12v to the solenoid and a bump start, you'll be away!

(although now you must make sure that you've got an alarm, crooklock, handbrake lock,pedal lock etc all fitted, because any thieving scum reading this now knows how east theh are to start! LOL!

**Richard K** · #12 10 Dec 2005

...any thieves reading this should know that my solenoid is guarded by a spring-loaded system of poisoned darts and er... cobras.

**diesel jim** · #13 10 Dec 2005

Richard, are you in the UK?

I'm in Swindon, Wilts, so if you're nearby give me a shout, i'll take a look at the wiring for you.

**Richard K** · #14 11 Dec 2005

Jamie, I'm up in Manchester, although I'll probably be passing your way later in the spring - will drop you a mail nearer the time and see if you're around, cheers! Richard

**kitmax** · #15 13 Dec 2005

Hi Richard
A year and a bit on… and I haven’t got any further with disabling the Discovery 300TDi immobiliser.
And Roman has strayed into the Land Cruiser field…
Since writing I have driven 10,000km through China and Tibet, spending over 2 weeks at 15,000ft, and just recently returned from a high-rev waltz through the Awbari Sand Sea in Libya.
The Disco has behaved impeccably throughout and I am beginning to gain a little more confident in Solihull’s magic electronic spiders.
But please keep the info coming; Diesel Jim’s ‘plug-and-play’ solutions still look challenging to me. I am still looking for ‘the simple answer’.
Regards

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Kitmax - Traveller
http://www.kitmax.com