I was wondering if anyone has had or heard of any issue with a theft deterrent ecu. I have an ecu from a 99 limited 4runner and I dont have the keys for it. Im thinking maybe looking for another ecu from another model that didnt have the theft deterrent and reconfiguring some harness pins.

 

Interesting, I haven't heard of this on a Toyota. My BMW has something like that though, even the dealer can't start the car without one of the original keys. I don't know if its the ECU or the ignition switch or what, but on the BMWs there is a chip in the key that allows the car to start. There are like 4 keys for it and the original owner gets 3 of them, the other is kept in Germany if you need it, or so I was told by the service adviser.

 

If I remember correctly, Toyota didn't start with the chipped keys untill 2001 or 2002...but that's only a guess and would only be sure of that on a Tundra.

 

My 97 Limited did NOT have a chipped key, and they did not change the body at all until '00, and then it was a new grill and bumpers.

I was a tech at a Toy dealer for 2 years... I don't think we ever needed to program a chip for a 3rd Gen. 4th Gen's were/are a bitch.

EDIT;
I just logged into infostream... Toyota's Dealer-only technician library. I see no reference to an anti-theft system in the Trouble Code diagnostic charts. I think you're okay with your '99 ECU.

 

It's was an optional theft deterrent system. It comes off connector E11 on the ECU and specifically uses pins 4,5,10,11,16. Problem is, I don't know if the donor vehicle my engine/ecu came from (1999 4-runner) had this option or not. So, I guess the question is: What happens if you leave this unwired, assuming one had the option?

Scott

 

My mom's limited 99' 4runner has a chipped key set.

It was ridiculously expensive to get new keys made/reprogramed