Quote:
Originally Posted by Dimman
On this page:
http://www.tc.gc.ca/roadsafety/safev...planations.htm
Go to section 9 and the immobilizer part. There was some manufacturer funny-business about the immobilizers that made them non-compliant unless they were modified, and if you see the part (won't let me cut-and-paste for some reason) about how manufacturers claim that it will affect safety and warranty, how many shops would do it with liability risks hanging over their head?
The problem was with whether their immobilizers (purely electronics) were compliant or not was by manufacturer's self disclosure.
It was a bit of a controversy in Subaru groups when there was about a $10k difference between US and Canadian STIs (even before our dollar was as high as it is now...). They may have been called out by agencies due to public outcry since that time though... |
My understanding on this section about the immobilizer are two points:
1. whether the car bought in US has it or not
2. whether that immobilizer is compliant with
CMVSS 114
With that, you really need to check before you buy to see if the car you are buying has immobilizer. If not, you are on a tricky route trying to find an installer to get a certified part installed without voiding the warranty or you can just forget about it. Or you can check if the dealer in US can install one for you that is also in compliant with
CMVSS 114. You might as well to check with their Canadian counterpart to determine the exact part number that is certified.
You are correct in one thing that it is probably very difficult to find any installer other than the dealer will do this kind of work.
So, that is something that you, as the importer, need to verify.
Taken from the webpage:
Importers should be aware of the following BEFORE they purchase a vehicle in the U.S.:
- there is no guarantee that an aftermarket immobilizer can be fitted to a vehicle;
- some manufacturers have indicated that the installation of an aftermarket immobilizer may affect a vehicle's warranty;
- some manufacturers have indicated that the installation of an aftermarket immobilizer may affect the performance of certain safety equipment on a vehicle;
- certified installers of CAN/ULC-S338-98 aftermarket immobilizers may not be available in your local area;
- modifications may be complex and expensive; and
- importers enter the importation process at their own risk and Transport Canada assumes no liability.
I would think this is just the way the manufacturers want you to install the OEM immobilizer. Since their Canadian counter part must have this manufactured after 2007, they should have the compliant part in their storage. What does that mean to us is that we have to take that hit from the dealer if immobilizer does not come in standard. That is all.