Electronic vehicle immobilization

The electronic immobilizer is both an anti-theft device and start release. On the MINI, a newly developed electronic immobilizer (4th generation) is introduced. This development uses a new and modern encryption method.

Each vehicle is assigned a 128-bit secret code. This secret code is stored in a BMW database. This means that the secret code is only known to BMW. The secret code is programmed and locked in the CAS control module and the DME control module. When the secret code is in the control modules, it can no longer be deleted or changed. This means that each control module is assigned to a certain vehicle. The CAS control module and the EWS control module mutually identify themselves with the secret number and the same algorithm.

If the identification data is correct, the CAS control module activates the starter motor via a relay in the control module. At the same time, the CAS control module sends the DME control module an encoded release signal (changing code) for the engine start. The DME control module only enables the engine start if a correct enable signal is received from the CAS control module. These procedures may result in a slight start delay (up to half a second).