Hi. Long time listener, first time caller…
I have a 2002 SE, 6spd, w/ the original keys. About six weeks ago, I uncovered P1610 & P1612 codes. The problem came out of the blue. Drove the car one day, everything normal. A couple of days later, it cranked but wouldn’t start. After checking for fuel, spark, or elec./fuse problems, I jumped on the forum here. One of the threads mentioned DTC codes. I didn’t have an SES indicator, so I didn’t think to check for any. (Doh!) Sure enough, when I put the car in diagnostic mode, those two codes came up.

The P1610 code made sense. Car Lockout from trying to start it more than 5 times with an unrecognized key— I certainly tried it more than 5x while checking fuel pump, power, etc.

For the P1612 code, I ran thru all the voltage & continuity tests between the Immobilizer - ECM - Ground. They all checked out correctly. Then, the oscilloscope test indicated that the IMMU is bad. Which seems to add up...I have 1 owners key & 1 valet key...neither is recognized and will not start the engine or clear the lockout P1610 code.

So, I’m trying to figure out if I can solve this. The IMMU is super-easy to replace. The trick is programming the keys to it. I didn’t like the dealer's quote too much (heh!). I checked into the NDSii + cable. However, according to the NDS manual, I cannot do this with the car in Lockout mode. Can anyone confirm or deny? Does that also mean a locksmith would be unable to program the keys?

 

I don't think you have a problem. Change the immu and go ahead and programme the key.

 

Thanks for the response--really appreciate it. Solution was exactly that simple. Replaced the IMMU. Had a different dealer reprogram the keys. Done.

Not sure why the 1st dealer told me 2hrs of labor. Maybe they thought I meant the ECM? I don't know.