Where is the Immobilizer control unit located?

2011 KIA SPORTAGE
16,789 MILES • 2.4L • 4 CYL • 4WD • AUTOMATIC
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ANDRIN ATEM
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Hi, please may I know exactly where this module is actually hiding in this car. Please help with the location. Also the wiring diagram for it.


KNDPBCA23B7104034

Help me out am going crazy how Kia would do this intentional.

Thanks!
Aug 17, 2025 at 9:25 AM
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STRAILER
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Hi ANDRIN,

Without the smart key system, the immobilizer is located at the left side the dash by the steering column. Check out the images (below). Let us know if you need anything else.

Aug 17, 2025 at 12:43 PM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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Thanks Ken, so what do I have to remove before getting to it. Yes this is without smart key. Diagram as well for the wiring.

I appreciate your fast response
Aug 17, 2025 at 11:57 PM
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STRAILER
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You are welcome, yep, you will need to remove the steering column. I did find a better image of the unit though. Here are the wiring diagrams as well.
Aug 18, 2025 at 10:55 AM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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Found it Ken, thanks! Actually I am getting no immo light on dash when even key is in run position. Can you help me with the pin out signals on the immo ecu?
Aug 20, 2025 at 7:36 AM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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I need to find out what or who is responsible for turning the immo security on dashboard .
Aug 20, 2025 at 7:37 AM
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STRAILER
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The PCM is responsible for turning on the security light. I would run the codes with a CAN scanner to see what codes are stored.

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

This video will show you how.
Aug 20, 2025 at 10:00 AM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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I can’t remember the exact code, but it did mention Smarttra open circuit or short circuit. The ECU responsible for turning the security light in dash, looking at the diagram you sent, could it be the blue cable living the junction fuse box to the ecu than enabled the ecu turn in the light?

Aug 20, 2025 at 6:07 PM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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The immobilizer unit does not have a can arear network
Aug 20, 2025 at 6:11 PM
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STRAILER
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I would double check the "room LP" and "audio" fuses in the fuse panel inside the car.
Aug 21, 2025 at 6:53 AM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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The room lamp is find and the audio as well, when I check the diagram I saw the line for the room lamp and audio including the immo, it’s all good.
Aug 21, 2025 at 11:29 AM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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What I actually suspect is the line that turns in the Immo, if you look closely the diagram you sent. So I was wondering I I have the ecu pinout and I could locate this line and feed it with signal and see if the light turns on on run position.
Aug 21, 2025 at 11:30 AM
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STRAILER
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Sure, here it is, check out the images (below). Let us know what you find.
Aug 22, 2025 at 8:26 AM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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You got it right Ken, this must be the line that is open or short to ground, because that was the report I got from my scan tool. I will use a multimeter to check for continuity, am sure the line must be open. A million thanks Ken.
Aug 22, 2025 at 9:51 AM
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STRAILER
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No problem Andrin, I hope it is just a wiring issue.
Aug 22, 2025 at 10:14 AM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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I know so, I will update you with the results. Thanks I truly appreciate.
Aug 22, 2025 at 2:03 PM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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Please Ken, may I have the connector images and the images of both connectors of the ecu and the dashboard?

Am currently working on the car today.
Aug 27, 2025 at 3:26 AM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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What actually I need is the diagram of the connector which goes to the dashboard. So I can trace the orange of brown cable for open or short circuit
Aug 27, 2025 at 4:17 AM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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This is the connector to the instrument cluster, the orange and brown wire leaves the ecu into the instrument cluster
Aug 27, 2025 at 5:34 AM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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From the diagram, the wire on the ecu 69 to the instrument cluster is 13, but when I verify the connector I can’t find orange and brown on this position. If I can have a clear map on this orange and brown enough.
Aug 27, 2025 at 5:37 AM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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Following your diagram, this anti theft system is in the bcm to the pcm or from the pcm to the instrument cluster
Aug 27, 2025 at 6:01 AM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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Which of the anti theft system does it leave the pcm to? Referring the orange and brown wire.
Aug 27, 2025 at 6:03 AM
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STRAILER
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Only the brown/org and green wire go to the cluster.
Aug 27, 2025 at 8:19 AM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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Thanks Ken, you have been super supportive. Problem solved. That connector to instrument cluster, I noticed a short on 13 pin, so I had to cut it, then the key light showed with key on run position. Later I reconnected the wire and the light stayed on and kick the car and it started.
Aug 27, 2025 at 2:26 PM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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The wire I marked in red was shorting, because I ran a continuity with a multimeter and noticed the bit was shorted to ground.

Just as the fault code described
Aug 27, 2025 at 2:42 PM
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STRAILER
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Nice work getting the problem solved! Come back anytime.
Aug 27, 2025 at 5:40 PM
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ANDRIN ATEM
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Thanks men
Aug 27, 2025 at 10:48 PM