Lets kill Code 17978 _ Engine State Blocked by Immo

**IVRINGS** · 01-15-2010 01:04 PM

Well since I got my car I've had problems from time to time with it starting. It will always start, but at times it will take 2-3 times. Twice I had the hazzards come on blinking, but I just restarted the car and fixed the issue. So the only thing I'm getting is

17978 - Engine Start Blocked by Immobilizer
P15070 - 008 - Implauisble Singal - Intermittent

I have two sets of keys it does this to me, and I just want to get this fixed. I only have an ECS tunning USB cable that I run VAG-COM on that I can check codes with. So if I need a full one I will have to have a local come over. I just want some simple step by step on what to do. I was reading on Ross-Tech about matching keys and stuff I don't know how to do. So I just wanted to see if you guys can help... Lets kill this thing instead of post saying good luck or have fun.

**coowhip** · 01-15-2010 01:26 PM

If you're ever near by you can borrow my laptop and cable for a few days. No worries. Full license.

**IVRINGS** · 01-15-2010 01:30 PM

Originally Posted by coowhip

If you're ever near by you can borrow my laptop and cable for a few days. No worries. Full license.

Sounds good. Just need to get others to chime in here. I'm going to be a my Polaris store Sunday - Tuesday. ;) It is next to old Circuit City. Hit me up Sunday to borrow it.

**coowhip** · 01-15-2010 01:50 PM

How about you hit me up...I'm off that day.

**S4King** · 01-15-2010 01:53 PM

Are the set of keys the original keys?

**IVRINGS** · 01-15-2010 04:11 PM

As far as I know they are. They are very worn in from the last owner. The small lot I got it from did have a new battry the same week I bought it. I know this by finding the battry cover in the front of the engine bay...

**S4King** · 01-15-2010 07:01 PM

Hey i have the PDF of how to check the problem. I can upload it and see if you can use VAG-COM to fix the problem.

**S4King** · 01-15-2010 07:03 PM

http://www.mediafire.com/file/mozin2zj0jx/Code 17978.pdf

**IVRINGS** · 02-24-2010 10:00 AM

Originally Posted by defvayne

http://www.mediafire.com/file/mozin2zj0jx/Code 17978.pdf

Can you put that up again... I've lost my copy of these, and would like to get this done today! Thank you.

**MikeWire** · 02-24-2010 11:01 AM

That code will show if a foreign key is used to start the car obviously, but it's probably a stored code from an earlier incident, or if the battery was too weak and would not supply the ECU with enough power to read the key. I would clear the code and see if it comes back.

If you have an immo problem, the car wouldn't start (it would still catch and run for about 2 seconds, but then die) and it would say "SAFE" in the odometer area.

So, your starting problem could be something unrelated to the 17978 code.

**IVRINGS** · 02-24-2010 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by MikeWire

That code will show if a foreign key is used to start the car obviously, but it's probably a stored code from an earlier incident, or if the battery was too weak and would not supply the ECU with enough power to read the key. I would clear the code and see if it comes back.

If you have an immo problem, the car wouldn't start (it would still catch and run for about 2 seconds, but then die) and it would say "SAFE" in the odometer area.

So, your starting problem could be something unrelated to the 17978 code.

It has been cleared about 4 times now, and still comes back. The battery is new as of last year getting the car, and since I've had the car it has always done this off and on. Sometimes it only happens once, but it has happened up to 3 times where I start the car and it dies. Then the car starts with blinkers on. I shut the car off and turn it back on and everything is fine. I just would like to make sure everything is done. I have the car disconnected from the battery right again for the last 15 mins. Going back out in 5 to see if that helps. Just today is my last day with the full VAG from a local.

**MikeWire** · 02-24-2010 11:25 AM

Ah ok, I didn't realize this was a reoccurring problem. Sounds like there is something wrong with your cluster if the code keeps coming back. Any other codes? If you do an auto-scan with VCDS it will show all the codes for each module.

**IVRINGS** · 02-24-2010 11:40 AM

Here are the two codes that i have on the car that I cleared, but the 2nde one I've never seen till today.

Address 01: Engine Labels: 06B-909-518-AMB.lbl
Part No SW: 8E0 909 518 AK HW: 8E0 909 018 A
Component: 1.8L R4/5VT G 0006
Coding: 0016701
Shop #: WSC 40329 444 53665

1 Fault Found:
17978 - Engine Start Blocked by Immobilizer
P1570 - 008 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent
Readiness: 0000 0000

Address 08: Auto HVAC Labels: 8E0-820-043.lbl
Part No: 8E0 820 043 L
Component: A4 Klimaautomat 1016
Coding: 00000
Shop #: WSC 63351

1 Fault Found:
00474 - Control Module for Immobilizer
49-00 - No Communications

**IVRINGS** · 02-24-2010 11:43 AM

BTW having the cables off the battery touching for 20+ mins didn't help.

**widgget** · 05-15-2012 05:51 PM

ever solve this? getting this on my 5spd. Based on the codes below im guessing it's the cluster :(

17978 - Engine Start Blocked by Immobilizer
P1570 - 008 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent

18062 - Please check DTC Memory of Instrument Cluster
P1654 - 004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent

**IVRINGS** · 05-15-2012 06:03 PM

Mine was due to the 034 Kevlar timing belt snapping at 14K. ;) So I'm finishing up a 2.7T swap instead of building the 1.8T

**waldo1324** · 05-16-2012 05:55 AM

possibly Engine Speed Sensor

OEM:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/OEM-02-05-AU...70b5bb&vxp=mtr

Bitch Please Version:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/PASSAT-1-8-1...6ad959&vxp=mtr

**dan5171** · 05-16-2012 07:28 AM

http://www.germanautoparts.com/Audi/...ctrical/182/11

OEM for less...

**IVRINGS** · 05-16-2012 08:30 AM

Mine was only blocked due to my engine was blown.

**widgget** · 05-16-2012 12:30 PM

hmm, guess $60 is worth the gamble rather then trying to do the cluster first since i am guessing a cluster will be MUCH more.

**widgget** · 05-31-2012 11:06 AM

ha, haven't replaced the sensor in my wifes car yet, this morning my car did this to me twice.... damn audis!!

**A4SoftWalker** · 05-31-2012 03:35 PM

Ya know what?
A neighbor friend I have had this same problem with their car starting this past winter.
First noticed it happening when the weather got warm.
Jump in the car to start it up and there goes the orange immobilizer light and a red battery light. Laughing at u.
Recently started happening in the morning now too.

Well now that I think about it...

Alarm battery went out a little while before this started. Car has a newish main battery.

The car might actually be telling us something there?

IMPLAUSIBLE ALARM SIGNAL
WEAK OR DEAD ALARM BACKUP BATTERY

I was also thinking the tune in might be causing it up until now. Not sure which tune he has.

This is a possible line of approach to this problem.
I highly doubt the engine speed sensor would cause the immobilizer to trip up but it MIGHT be the cause for the intermittent signal code.

**diagnosticator** · 05-31-2012 09:18 PM

Originally Posted by IVRINGS

Well since I got my car I've had problems from time to time with it starting. It will always start, but at times it will take 2-3 times. Twice I had the hazzards come on blinking, but I just restarted the car and fixed the issue. So the only thing I'm getting is

17978 - Engine Start Blocked by Immobilizer
P15070 - 008 - Implauisble Singal - Intermittent

I have two sets of keys it does this to me, and I just want to get this fixed. I only have an ECS tunning USB cable that I run VAG-COM on that I can check codes with. So if I need a full one I will have to have a local come over. I just want some simple step by step on what to do. I was reading on Ross-Tech about matching keys and stuff I don't know how to do. So I just wanted to see if you guys can help... Lets kill this thing instead of post saying good luck or have fun.

The DTC and the intermittent nature of the IMMO blocking the engine start, is often caused by a bad reader coil in the ignition switch assembly. Only fix is to replace the reader coil. The reader coil sends and receives the low power radio signal to the immo chip in the key fob.

**widgget** · 05-31-2012 10:05 PM

i just found this

http://www.audipages.com/Tech_Articl...rereplace.html

&

http://www.audi-sport.net/vb/a4-s4-f...-coil-fix.html

gonna give it a try before ordering a new coil.
i'll let you know the results once i get to it.

**F16HTON** · 06-01-2012 01:01 AM

Originally Posted by diagnosticator

The DTC and the intermittent nature of the IMMO blocking the engine start, is often caused by a bad reader coil in the ignition switch assembly. Only fix is to replace the reader coil. The reader coil sends and receives the low power radio signal to the immo chip in the key fob.

This is the answer...no need to look further.

**dougyfresh** · 06-01-2012 04:56 AM

Can you elaborate a little more on what was occuring just prior to these codes? Did you add or subtract anything from the car? Was it running strange? etc...

Originally Posted by widgget

ever solve this? getting this on my 5spd. Based on the codes below im guessing it's the cluster :(

17978 - Engine Start Blocked by Immobilizer
P1570 - 008 - Implausible Signal - Intermittent

18062 - Please check DTC Memory of Instrument Cluster
P1654 - 004 - No Signal/Communication - Intermittent

**widgget** · 06-01-2012 05:48 AM

Both cars show the same codes when scanning

Both cars running normally once started.

my 5spd seems to only do it on cold starts, and doesn't flash SAFE.

The tiptronic did this to me twice yesterday, but it flashed SAFE, after 10 or so attempts it started.

**A4SoftWalker** · 06-01-2012 08:16 PM

Good call on the symptoms diagnosticator and good fix-it finds widgget.

Hmmmm seems problem was bad enough for Car Mechanics Magazine to write about it in their UK edition back in the '90s.