RENAULT KEY AND IMMOBILISER MEMENTO REV.5
NOT OFFICIAL – PRIVATE MEMENTO by TOM STALLVIK
THIS NOTE ONLY AFFECTS VEHICLES UPTO 2001/2002 (PRE MULTIPLEXED MODELS)
Multiplexed models require diagnostic tool for both entering code and synchronising keys.
This is a private memento and information on this memento may contain errors!
TERMS USED IN THIS NOTE
PLIP = The remote keypad with button (remote control)
RF= Radio Frequency system
IR = Infra Red system - IR sender in front of PLIP, visually a small clear eye (diode)
Tip: check operation by looking at the sender through a mobile phone camera while pressing PLIP
KRS = Key Recognition System (Transponder Chip inside PLIP)
CDLB = The central door locking button found inside the car (NOT the key).
Tip: When pressing this button for programming purposes it does not matter witch side you press
IMMOLED = The red tell tale light that do flash slow when the immobilizer is active.
This is either located in the instrument-panel, on the steering wheel column, in the roof console
or on the central door locking button (CDLB).
On some early models the Injection Warning Light is used as tell tale light on error/programming events.
IMMOBILISER AND PLIP EXPLANATION
On a vehicle with IR system the immobilizer (decoder) and remote-key (PLIP) are dependant of each other (exept later IR
systems with KRS). This means that the remote in addition to controlling doors it also verifies the key and opens the
immobilizer to allow the vehicle to start.
On a vehicle with IR or RF system with KRS, the remote-key (PLIP) and immobilizer are independent systems where the
immobilizer is controlled by a small Transponder Chip inside the key head and an antenna ring around the ignition that
checks the Transponder Chip when the key is in the ignition and turned on. The IR or RF part is only for remote
controlling the doors wich means that synchronized keys (working PLIP) will not solve any non starting problems due to
blocked immobiliser. The battery inside the key only affects the PLIP function as the KRS is not dependant of batteries.
The KRS type (on IR keys) can be recognized by opening the PLIP and the Transponder Chip is seen as a square black
unit separate from the electronic printboard (PLIP electronics).
DO NOT TOUCH THE TRANSPONDER WITH YOUR FINGERS!
There are 2 types of code communication (coded remote signal) between PLIP and the vehicle, communicating with
FIXED CODE (early IR) and ROLLING CODE (IR and RF). On a ROLLING CODE system the transmitted code is
changed each time the PLIP button is pressed to prevent illegal duplication of the code for theft purposes, this however
means that the PLIP and RECEIVER might get out of synch if the PLIP is pressed more than 1000 times without being
within the range of the RECIEVER. Then a resynchronising procedure is required to get them to communicate correct
again. On systems with ROLLING CODE there is a maximum of 2 PLIP keys programmed as the system only can handle
2 PLIPS. A FIXED CODE is never changed during the lifetime of the immobiliser system.
When the system is active (armed) and car is parked the IMMOLED flashes slowly to indicate that the car is protected.
When opening the car by IR remote -or inserting an IR or RF key with KRS and turning ign ON -the IMMOLED illuminates
constant for 3 seconds and then goes out when key is recognized and starting of the car is allowed.
If the Injecton Warning Light is lit for 3 seconds following that IMMOLED flashes rapidly the key is not
accepted/recognized -or there is a problem with some other decoder components or their wiring -and starting is blocked.
Note: If you leave the key in the ignition, the immobilizer will be auto-activated after a while* and on IR systems without
KRS you will have to take out the key and lock and reopen the car using the PLIP to deactivate the immobilizer again.
On some models it is required to enter the 4 digit security code to unlock the immobilizer to start the car when a problem
occurred -or when resyncronising PLIP(S). Some vehicles have this code supplied with the car on a codecard, if not the
code in most cases can be obtained from the Renault dealers network. When entering this code the immobilizer will allow
the car to start if there is a problem with the immobilizer (faulty key, some faulty components). On some systems
immobiliser will remain disabled until battery is disconnected (first systems) while most models require the security code
to be entered each time* you need to start the car until the immobilizer system is repaired.
If you enter the wrong security code 3 times you will have to wait upto 15 minutes before entering the code again.
* After ignition OFF the immobiliser will auto-activate even if the key is placed in the ignition:
- On pure IR systems the immobiliser will normally auto-activate after 10 or 15 minutes (1 or 30 min UK and Belgium)
- On KRS systems it will auto-activate after 10 seconds (1 min UK and Belgium)
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