About a year ago my car, a 99 GLE, wouldn't start so I towed it to the dealer. He told me that the security system had disabled my car because it didn't reconize my key. They reset my system, but said that I should replace the computer at a cost of about $1000.00, because therre was a glitch in it . I told him I'd wait and see how it held up. Its been working fine for the last year, but I was wondering if any one else has had a similar problem and if there is a way to get the car running again without going to the dealer

 

Yes, I have seen this happen before on a 99 Max. There is even a TSB on this issue. Basically what happens is that the car, for some unknown reason, will suddenly and unexplainably fail to recognize your key.

The car (or more correctly the immobilizer system) must then be reprogrammed to accept your key, by the dealer with the Consult 2 software.
Obviously you can not do this at home yourself, however some larger locksmiths have this capability.

The immobilizer control unit must be replaced to permanently resolve this issue. However most cars are just fine with the reprogram and the problem may never happen again. I would be rather apprehensive after one incident like this, because you would never know when it may happen again. So far my 99 I30 has never done it the first time.

 

Do you have a copy of the TSB. I'v searched for it but no luck. Do I have to replace the cars computer. Thats what the dealer made it sound like and how many computers does this car have? Just the one??

 

Was this your car or your neighbors car-- that you happened to like?

 

No, mines still nicer

 

The ECM contains the immobilizer software, but as far as how many computers we have - well, ECM, BCM, ASCD, ABS controller (if you have it), TCM (if automatic)