Right guys,
I am aware that the 1997 Wranglers in the UK have a certain immobiliser installed that is not the SKIM system installed into the 98 onwards models.
I am also aware that these May & Scofield units have problems, I unfortunately had the issue where the immobiliser would not deactivate using the key fob and the jeep was basically dead.
FEAR NO MORE! I HAVE THE ANSWER!
After lots of research I figured out a way to bypass and remove the unit eliminating the dreaded May & Scofield unit.
You are going to need a new reprogrammed ECU, I found a company called Flagship One based in NYC who sent me out a new ECU for £220 including postage. As far as I'm aware this is the cheapest I could find, they took my VIN number and basic info of the Keep gave me the quote called me up for payment and then it was just a case of me waiting for it to arrive.
Before you get all excited and throw your new ECU in there is something you need to do first, remove the immobiliser, this is located behind the guage cluster (you might have noticed thats where the click comes from when deactivating the immobiliser)
If you dont do this you risk the chance of it locking your new ECU out and you're back to square one..
To remove this is pretty simple here are the steps
1. Remove the 'knee plate' under the steering wheel. 2 screws hold this on
2. remove the long defrost panel
3. One this is done you will be able to access the screws for the plastic bezel surrounding the guage cluster. 2 on the bottom and 3 on the back near the windshield.
4. One this i removed you will be able to see the 4 screws holding the guage cluster to the dash, once you remove these the cluster pulls right out.
5. Now this is where it get interesting. You will see a blank metal plate. You will need to either try get behind where the studs are with your fingers and remove the nuts OR just drill the studs out.
6. Once you do this the plate will come away and you will see the black immobiliser attached to the back of said plate! Unplug this and (preferably) have a bonfire with it!
Now you are ready to install your new ECU
BE AWARE IF YOU REMOVE THE UNIT BEFORE YOUR NEW ECU ARRIVES YOUR JEEP WILL BE DEAD
The ecu is located behind the battery.. pretty simple to swap out just remove the battery take off the cover remove the 3 big clips, 4 screws and it comes away very easy.
I hope this helps anyone who needs it as it took me alot of work to figure all this out and put it into practice
I am aware that the 1997 Wranglers in the UK have a certain immobiliser installed that is not the SKIM system installed into the 98 onwards models.
I am also aware that these May & Scofield units have problems, I unfortunately had the issue where the immobiliser would not deactivate using the key fob and the jeep was basically dead.
FEAR NO MORE! I HAVE THE ANSWER!
After lots of research I figured out a way to bypass and remove the unit eliminating the dreaded May & Scofield unit.
You are going to need a new reprogrammed ECU, I found a company called Flagship One based in NYC who sent me out a new ECU for £220 including postage. As far as I'm aware this is the cheapest I could find, they took my VIN number and basic info of the Keep gave me the quote called me up for payment and then it was just a case of me waiting for it to arrive.
Before you get all excited and throw your new ECU in there is something you need to do first, remove the immobiliser, this is located behind the guage cluster (you might have noticed thats where the click comes from when deactivating the immobiliser)
If you dont do this you risk the chance of it locking your new ECU out and you're back to square one..
To remove this is pretty simple here are the steps
1. Remove the 'knee plate' under the steering wheel. 2 screws hold this on
2. remove the long defrost panel
3. One this is done you will be able to access the screws for the plastic bezel surrounding the guage cluster. 2 on the bottom and 3 on the back near the windshield.
4. One this i removed you will be able to see the 4 screws holding the guage cluster to the dash, once you remove these the cluster pulls right out.
5. Now this is where it get interesting. You will see a blank metal plate. You will need to either try get behind where the studs are with your fingers and remove the nuts OR just drill the studs out.
6. Once you do this the plate will come away and you will see the black immobiliser attached to the back of said plate! Unplug this and (preferably) have a bonfire with it!
Now you are ready to install your new ECU
BE AWARE IF YOU REMOVE THE UNIT BEFORE YOUR NEW ECU ARRIVES YOUR JEEP WILL BE DEAD
The ecu is located behind the battery.. pretty simple to swap out just remove the battery take off the cover remove the 3 big clips, 4 screws and it comes away very easy.
I hope this helps anyone who needs it as it took me alot of work to figure all this out and put it into practice