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Need Help with XJ "SKIM" Security System.


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I know this is a topic that does not pertain to factory OEM MJ's, but my vehicle has been modified to have the instrument cluster and PCM from a 2000 XJ, and I need the advice of an expert on this later type of XJ.

 

The steering column in my MJ came from a 2000XJ, and it has the "SKIM" security feature as part of the ignition switch.   For as long as I have owned the vehicle, the SKIM reader that surrounds the key lock inside the column has been disconnected.  (This is good, because I do NOT have the custom programmed keys needed to "talk" to the SKIM reader.)    This means the SKIM reader doesn't talk to the PCM, and is thus the security feature is inoperative and my MJ behaves like a "regular" 2000XJ.

 

So here is my problem:   I accidentally plugged the SKIM reader back into the wiring harness in the steering column while doing some dash work.    When I finished the dash project,  I attempted to start the vehicle.   It started and ran for about 3 seconds, and then shuts off.  

 

I realized my mistake, and disconnected the SKIM, but I think I have created a problem.  Every time I try to start it, the same thing happens where it starts and runs for 3 seconds, and then dies.   Disconnecting the battery did no good.   

 

I think what has happened is that I have "taught" the PCM that a SKIM module is active the Jeep, and so it is looking for the custom keys.

 

Short of having the dealer use a "DRB Scanner" on the vehicle to retrain the PCM that it doesn't need to "see" a SKIM, what other ways can I defeat this goofy security feature?

 

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1 hour ago, AZJeff said:

I know this is a topic that does not pertain to factory OEM MJ's, but my vehicle has been modified to have the instrument cluster and PCM from a 2000 XJ, and I need the advice of an expert on this later type of XJ.

 

The steering column in my MJ came from a 2000XJ, and it has the "SKIM" security feature as part of the ignition switch.   For as long as I have owned the vehicle, the SKIM reader that surrounds the key lock inside the column has been disconnected.  (This is good, because I do NOT have the custom programmed keys needed to "talk" to the SKIM reader.)    This means the SKIM reader doesn't talk to the PCM, and is thus the security feature is inoperative and my MJ behaves like a "regular" 2000XJ.

 

So here is my problem:   I accidentally plugged the SKIM reader back into the wiring harness in the steering column while doing some dash work.    When I finished the dash project,  I attempted to start the vehicle.   It started and ran for about 3 seconds, and then shuts off.  

 

I realized my mistake, and disconnected the SKIM, but I think I have created a problem.  Every time I try to start it, the same thing happens where it starts and runs for 3 seconds, and then dies.   Disconnecting the battery did no good.   

 

I think what has happened is that I have "taught" the PCM that a SKIM module is active the Jeep, and so it is looking for the custom keys.

 

Short of having the dealer use a "DRB Scanner" on the vehicle to retrain the PCM that it doesn't need to "see" a SKIM, what other ways can I defeat this goofy security feature?

 

Once you activate the skim I don’t believe it can be deactivated on that PCM even with the factory scan tool. As mentioned above, program the keys to it. It’s actually a pretty nice imobilizer. I added one to my TJ and it worked great. 

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Yeah, I did some searching on the NAXJA site, and it appears that once I plugged the SKIM reader in and tried to start the Jeep, I "programmed" the PCM to search for a valid SKIM key (which I do not have).

 

The ONLY solution is to have the PCM reprogrammed to NOT search for a SKIM key.   So now I get to send my PCM to a computer place to have them program the PCM to NOT look for the SKIM key.   That was a $145 mistake.

 

I have already gone out and taken the connector for the SKIM reader and put a piece of heat shrink tubing over the plug, so it won't be reconnected again and repeat this mistake.:fistshake1:

 

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