P38A Turning off Immobilization etc. How?

I beg to differ
I connected my Nanocom this morning, edited the EKA code to a new number (1212 instead of the previous 1665) and executed the "Write" function on the Nanocom.
I then disconnected and reconnected the Nanocom from the data lead and restarted the Nanocom.
I then went into the EKA and Immobilisation page and displayed the current settings, and here it is "revised".
Sorry about the "flash" glare in the Picture.

DanClarke said:

I beg to differ
I connected my Nanocom this morning, edited the EKA code to a new number (1212 instead of the previous 1665) and executed the "Write" function on the Nanocom.
I then disconnected and reconnected the Nanocom from the data lead and restarted the Nanocom.
I then went into the EKA and Immobilisation page and displayed the current settings, and here it is "revised".
Sorry about the "flash" glare in the Picture.
View attachment 256669

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So, your BECM must be unlocked which can cause other problems.

Datatek said:

So, your BECM must be unlocked which can cause other problems.

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I guess that might be the case.
When I navigate to the page withthe BeCM option on it, it shows a Padlock with a set of keys alongside it. Does that indicate "Unlocked" I wonder?
@Grrrrrr and @pete12345 what does your Nanocom show?

It just says unlocked

pete12345 said:

It just says unlocked

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So, if Pete's says "Unlocked" and mine does not, how come I have been able to edit my EKA to a simpler number?
An academic question because I have turned of immobiisation and EKA.

Could be BECM version related. The version is on Nanocom screens somewhere.

Had a further poke around with the Nanocom.
VIN matches my Paperwork, but the mileage is off by about 100 miles and the date is nowhere near my sale/build date.

And my BECM is definitely "Unlocked".

Another page said Version was 38 (means nothing to me).

DanClarke said:

I guess that might be the case.
When I navigate to the page withthe BeCM option on it, it shows a Padlock with a set of keys alongside it. Does that indicate "Unlocked" I wonder?
@Grrrrrr and @pete12345 what does your Nanocom show?

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Cannot remember off the top of my head. I'll try to remember to check when I have a moment. There are different software versions of both Nanocom and BECM although I haven't noticed anything in the BECM. I recall a long argument between Wammers and someone over what was possible. Maybe this was it and there are some version differences. Or maybe the BECM has been fiddled with by Callrova or someone in the past? I have no idea what previous owners did to mine.

DanClarke said:

Had a further poke around with the Nanocom.
VIN matches my Paperwork, but the mileage is off by about 100 miles and the date is nowhere near my sale/build date.
View attachment 256704
And my BECM is definitely "Unlocked".
View attachment 256705
Another page said Version was 38 (means nothing to me).

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Sounds about right. Some functionality only came in with v36 but it must be a very early car for that. Pretty sure mine was v36 something and mine was built in May 1995.

Just checked mine. Unfortunately the BECM SID I have, only shows the software up to V35 which was release in 1996.

• Build Date is roughly 5 months before first registration. (October 1998.)
• BECM version = 37
• Mileage is 13 miles less than Cluster display.

Makes me think there's more subtle differences than we realise.

DanClarke said:

So, if Pete's says "Unlocked" and mine does not, how come I have been able to edit my EKA to a simpler number?
An academic question because I have turned of immobiisation and EKA.

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As you have turned off EKA, how have you checked that your edited EKA has actually changed to the new code?

Datatek said:

As you have turned off EKA, how have you checked that your edited EKA has actually changed to the new code?

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Well, Every time I navigate to the page where EKA is displayed it now says my "new" code.
As I have not now been locked out and in need of an EKA it's hard to say that this code is now truly in place I think.

DanClarke said:

Well, Every time I navigate to the page where EKA is displayed it now says my "new" code.
As I have not now been locked out and in need of an EKA it's hard to say that this code is now truly in place I think.

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As you have turned the EKA function off, you will never be locked out and need the EKA code. If the immobiliser is also turned off you will also always be able to start the car even if the FOB does not work.

Datatek said:

As you have turned the EKA function off, you will never be locked out and need the EKA code. If the immobiliser is also turned off you will also always be able to start the car even if the FOB does not work.

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TBH Keith, with a 21 year old car (although it is in very good condition) this may be a distinct advantage.

DanClarke said:

TBH Keith, with a 21 year old car (although it is in very good condition) this may be a distinct advantage.

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It's certainly an advantage, I run both of mine with EKA and immobiliser off, one of them has been like that for years now.
When the car was new, anti theft precautions were needed, no one in their right mind would try to nick a 20 year old P38. In any case the alarm remains active.

I wouldn't turn off the EKA feature. This doesn't have any impact on whether you go into Engine immobilised or keycode lockout.
You can still get engine immobilised & keycode lockout with the EKA feature deactivated.
If the vehicle does go immobilised or into Keycode Lockout with the EKA code deactivated, How are you going to mobilise again? You can't. You're stuffed.
Do Not deactivate the EKA.

Rick-the-Pick said:

I wouldn't turn off the EKA feature. This doesn't have any impact on whether you go into Engine immobilised or keycode lockout.
You can still get engine immobilised & keycode lockout with the EKA feature deactivated.
If the vehicle does go immobilised or into Keycode Lockout with the EKA code deactivated, How are you going to mobilise again? You can't. You're stuffed.
Do Not deactivate the EKA.

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If you turn off EKA and the Immobiliser in the BECM, you will never be troubled with the need to enter EKA or the dreaded "Engine Immobilised Press Remote" message so no Keycode Lockout. I have run 2 cars like this for a long time, one for over 5 years now. The car will operate just fine with just a key blade and no FOB.

Rick-the-Pick said:

I wouldn't turn off the EKA feature. This doesn't have any impact on whether you go into Engine immobilised or keycode lockout.
You can still get engine immobilised & keycode lockout with the EKA feature deactivated.
If the vehicle does go immobilised or into Keycode Lockout with the EKA code deactivated, How are you going to mobilise again? You can't. You're stuffed.
Do Not deactivate the EKA.

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Oh Wow! @Rick-the-Pick ... with this one post you may have saved many people from a fatal error. Thank You.

DanClarke said:

Oh Wow! @Rick-the-Pick ... with this one post you may have saved many people from a fatal error. Thank You.

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It is not a fatal error to turn off EKA and Immobiliser, far from it, it's more likely to be fatal if you leave them on, dodgy door micro switches may stop entry of EKA, a dead FOB battery can leave you with the engine immobilised. On Early BECM's you cannot enter EKA via diagnostics so you are stuffed.
It is important to turn off both EKA AND Immobiliser though.

Rick-the-Pick said:

I wouldn't turn off the EKA feature. This doesn't have any impact on whether you go into Engine immobilised or keycode lockout.
You can still get engine immobilised & keycode lockout with the EKA feature deactivated.
If the vehicle does go immobilised or into Keycode Lockout with the EKA code deactivated, How are you going to mobilise again? You can't. You're stuffed.
Do Not deactivate the EKA.

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Can you not just enable it again with the Nanocom? Or will it not enable until the EKA has been put in? I seem to recall a hell of a thread somewhere on this with a well known combatant.