immobilizer kicked in?

[rasengan]

So today, I tried to start my car, I turn my key to II all the way and the starter motor did not even engage. So I pull my keys out and started again and no problem. I have my car key on a key chain, so i was wondering if this how the immobilizer on the CRV 2008 is supposed to work when it can't read the code from the key? does the immobilizer actually prevents the starter motor from engaging?

[Racoon]

There's a brief description of the immobilizer system in your Owners Manual.

[cderalow]

chances are, you tried starting before the system recognized the key.

i find the turn, pause, then start method to be the best.

[rasengan]

The manual says that it disengages the fuel system. Does this imply that the starter motor will not even engage? When I turned the key to START, the only thing I heard was a really weak knock (almost could not hear it) and nothing. I am just worried because this is already the second time happening, and wondering if it is not the immobilizer but a starter issue. The last time it happened was like 2 month ago?

[erniep]

It means that your CR-V will sound like it's out of gas (or the carburetor is flooded . . . but since it doesn't HAVE a carburetor, see previous statement).

If you have a gen 2 or earlier, you can get it to start and limp away by pumping the gas . . . mine did that .

If the starter doesn't engage (aside from serious mechanical issues), it usually means that it think's it's not allowed to start. Don't know what that would be on an a/t, but the clutch not being in is a good start. Some foreign cars allow you to get the key out with an a/t in gear . . . then it won't turn over when you try to start it.

-Ernie

[cderalow]

the gen3 immobilizer is actually entirely electrical, it prevents the ECU from sending the "start" signal to the starter & engine.

dead give away of this, if you listen closely, you'll hear the fuel pump come on even if the car doesn't start

[sleeksilver]

Originally Posted by cderalow

chances are, you tried starting before the system recognized the key.

i find the turn, pause, then start method to be the best.

Exactly .

[rasengan]

Originally Posted by sleeksilver

Exactly .

The thing is I always pause for like 2 seconds on II and then I turn to START, and it happened anyways.

[rasengan]

Originally Posted by cderalow

the gen3 immobilizer is actually entirely electrical, it prevents the ECU from sending the "start" signal to the starter & engine.

dead give away of this, if you listen closely, you'll hear the fuel pump come on even if the car doesn't start

OH, so since mine is a gen3, the immobilizer won't start the starter motor at all!. I did hear a reallly quite knock when I turned the key to start so I assume that's the fuel pump sound that you mentioned? How do you guys know so much detailed about this? Thanks.

[cderalow]

the fuel pump is more like a humming sound. that initial knock might be the pump priming the injectors, but you should know if the starter kicks over.

it'd be a grind noise, and not a knock.

there's a potential for the starter or ecu to have issues if you're pausing and it's not starting.