Update: I have made contact with a handful of companies that offer the SKIM removal from PCM service. This service would usually involve my PCM being reprogrammed to no longer look for the SKIM system and once my PCM is returned to me, all I would have to do is unplug my SKIM and install the PCM back into my Jeep and start it up. The car would no longer have an immobiliser (the light would remain on but thats fixable by macgyvering the dash cluster) and that is a tiny price to pay for having a working car again. In any case, I can install an aftermarket immobiliser system with workarounds and redundancys that are in my control as the owner of the vehicle and not monopolised by specialist dealerships.
Heres the spanner in the works. I would presume that I would unplug my Column Lock Module ( EVL / ELV / ESCL / ESL) at the same time as the SKIM. But would that be enough? The PCM will be reprogrammed to forget the SKIM but I worry that another component of the car will be looking for the Column Lock Module and put me back at square one: No Crank, No Jeep and No Sleep.
Here are the plugs that would be involved in this procedure:
The Sentry Key Remote Entry Connector has an 8 way connector (Please see photo)
1 - -
2 D508 20WT/GY COM - LIN TIRE PRESSURE MONITOR LAN
3 F941 20PK/LG FUSED IGNITION SWITCH OUTPUT (RUN-START)
4 Z18 20BK/LB GROUND
5 A114 18GY/RD FUSED B(+)
6 D55 20WT/OR CAN B BUS (+)
7 D54 20WT CAN B BUS (-)
8 - -
The Column lock module (for RHD export WH models only) has a four way connector (please see photo)
1 A935 18RD FUSED B(+)
2 Z906 18BK GROUND
3 A306 18RD/VT FUSED B(+)
4 D506 20WT/DG COM - LIN STEERING COLUMN LAN
There is also a hidden connector somewhere (I havent found it) known as the Steering Column Lock Translator (for RHD export WH models only) which is a 6 way connector (no photo).
1 A108 20LG/RD FUSED B(+)
2 Z907 20BK GROUND
3 D506 20WT/DG COM - LIN STEERING COLUMN LAN
4 D55 20WT/OR CAN B BUS (+)
5 D54 20WT CAN B BUS (-)
6 - -
This connector is a secondary ignition switch connector (ELV EXPORT only) and is a 2 way attached to the ignition switch housing. (please see photo).
1 A306 18RD/VT FUSED B(+)
2 A935 18RD FUSED (+)
Here are the big questions:
Is the SKIM the only component that communicates with the Column Lock Module?
The wiring seems to indicate this is not the case as I have found that the Column lock modules Red wire ( A935 18RD FUSED B(+) ) and Red/Violet wire ( A306 18RD/VT FUSED B(+) ) are a direct link from the Column Lock Module to the 2 way ignition switch connector. I have also found that the White/Grey wire ( Pin 4, D508 20WT/GY ) from the Column Lock Module has continuity to the SKIM connector( Pin 2, D506 20WT/DG ) which is shared by the tire pressure monitoring network.
Despite this, reassuringly from the scan tool, trouble code(s) from the Column Lock Module are only written and read from the WCM / SKREEM according to my reports.
Can we confirm that the SKIM is the only component that communicates bi-directionally with the Column Lock Module?
After the PCM is de-skimmed, and the SKIM is unplugged will any of the cars components be looking for the (also unplugged at that stage) Column Lock Module, leading to another dreadful engine kill command to the PCM ?
To those who dabble, what do you think?
To those who offer this service and who know immobiliser systems inside and out, my posts regarding my No Crank, No Jeep, No Sleep issue at jeepforum, jeepgarage and ausjeepoffroad have had many thousands of views so far and I would love to be able to promote a successful job done by your business.
Thanks in advance, hopefully this will be resolved for me early in the new year, and this info and your advice will help others in the future. I wish you all a fantastic decade ahead.