Immobilizer "Ghost": description, installation instructions

Immobilizers do not just turn off the engine when unauthorized access is attempted, but provide multi-factorial protection - some models even include control of mechanical door, hood and tire locks.

The immobilizer is a component of the complex protection of the car against theft. Variants of this device function differently, but they have the same principle of operation - do not allow the car to start without the necessary identification.

On the official website of the Ghost immobilizer, nine options for this type of anti-theft protection are presented.

The main technical characteristics of the immobilizers "Ghost"

General technical characteristics of all models of the Ghost immobilizer are given in this table.

Voltage	In 9-15
Operating temperature range	from -40 оC to + 85 оС
Consumption in standby/working mode	2-5 mA / 200-1500 mA

Types of security system "Ghost"

In addition to immobilizers, the official website of the Ghost company presents alarms, beacons and mechanical protection equipment, such as blockers and locks.

Official site of the company "Prizrak"

Immobilizers do not just turn off the engine when unauthorized access is attempted, but provide multi-factorial protection - some models even include control of mechanical door, hood and tire locks.

Slave- and GSM-alarm systems work on the principle of notification of a hijacking attempt. They differ in that GSM sends a signal to a remote key fob, while the Slave type does not support such devices - it is recommended to use it only if the car is in the owner's line of sight.

Radio tag "Ghost" Slim DDI 2,4 GHz

The Ghost immobilizer tag is a portable lock release device, most commonly worn on a car key chain. The base unit “recognizes” the tag by exchanging signals with it, after which it allows the owner to start the car.

Radio tag "Ghost" Slim DDI fits two immobilizers - "Ghost" 530 and 540, as well as a number of alarms. This device uses multi-level encryption, which makes it virtually impossible to hack such a label.

What does Dual Loop Authentication mean?

According to the instructions for the Ghost immobilizer, dual-loop authentication, which is used in all models, means that the lock can be unlocked either using a radio tag or manually by entering a PIN code.

The security system can also be configured so that unlocking is performed only after passing both levels of authentication.

Popular Models

Of the Prizrak immobilizer line, the most frequently installed models are the 510, 520, 530, 540 and Prizrak-U models, which combine a sufficient set of functions at an affordable price.

Immobilizer "Ghost" 540

Devices of the 500th series have similar characteristics (instructions for using the Ghost 510 and 520 immobilizers are completely combined into one), but differ in the presence of additional functions for more expensive models.

Comparative characteristics are given below:

Ghost-510	Ghost-520	Ghost-530	Ghost-540
Compact central unit	There is	There is	There is	There is
DDI radio tag	No	No	There is	There is
Enhanced protection against signal interception	No	No	There is	There is
Service mode	There is	There is	There is	There is
PINtoDrive technology	There is	There is	There is	There is
Mini-USB	There is	There is	There is	There is
Wireless engine lock	There is	There is	There is	There is
Bonnet lock	There is	There is	There is	There is
pLine wireless relay	No	There is	No	There is
Dual loop authentication	No	No	There is	There is
Synchronization of the relay and the main unit	No	There is	No	There is
AntiHiJack technology	There is	There is	There is	There is

Ghost-U is a budget model with fewer features - of all those listed in the table, this device has only a compact central unit, the possibility of a service mode and AntiHiJack protection technology.

Immobilizer "Ghost-U"

The PINtoDrive function protects the car from unauthorized attempts to start the engine by requesting a PIN each time, which the owner sets when programming the immobilizer.

AntiHiJack technology is designed to protect against the force capture of the machine. The principle of its operation is to block the engine while driving - after the offender has retired to a safe distance from the car owner.

Advantages

Some benefits (such as two-loop authentication or service mode) apply to the entire line of devices from this company. But there are some that are available only for some models.

Hood opening protection

A built-in lock installed at the factory cannot always withstand force, for example, opening with a crowbar. The anti-theft electromechanical lock is a device of enhanced protection against intruders.

Models 540, 310, 532, 530, 520 and 510 have the ability to control an electromechanical lock.

Comfortable operation

After installing the device and configuring its operation in the "Default" mode, the car owner will not need to take any action - it is enough to have a radio tag with you, which will automatically turn off the immobilizer when you approach the car.

Rod protection

The "rod" (or "long key") method used for hijacking is to intercept the signal from the radio tag and transmit it to the immobilizer from the hijacker's own device.

The "Fishing Rod" method for car theft

Ghost immobilizers use a dynamic encryption algorithm that makes it impossible to intercept the radio signal.

Service Mode

There is no need to transfer the RFID tag and PIN code to the service employees and thereby compromise the immobilizer - it is enough to transfer the device to the service mode. An additional advantage would be its invisibility to diagnostic equipment.

Location tracking

You can control the location of the car through a mobile application that works in conjunction with any Ghost GSM system of the 800 series.

Engine start inhibit

For most Ghost immobilizers, blocking occurs by breaking the electrical circuit. But models 532, 310 "Neuron" and 540 implement inhibition using the digital CAN bus.

Immobilizer "Ghost" model 310 "Neuron"

When using this method, the device does not require a wired connection - therefore, it becomes less vulnerable to hijackers.

Smartphone controlled alarms

Only GSM-type alarms are synchronized with the mobile application - in this case, the smartphone is used instead of the key fob. Slave systems do not have the technical ability to work with the application.

Disadvantages

Various car theft protection systems may have their drawbacks, but most often this applies to any system without referring specifically to the Ghost company:

• Owners note the rapid discharge of batteries in the alarm key fob.
• The immobilizer sometimes conflicts with other electronic systems of the car - it is better to check the information before buying. With two-loop authentication, the owner can simply forget the PIN code, and then start the car without specifying the PUK code or contacting the support service.

Control from a smartphone depends on the network of the mobile operator, which can also be a disadvantage if it is unstable.

Mobile app

The Ghost mobile app is available for iOS and Android platforms. It is synchronized with the GSM system and allows you to use your smartphone to control the security system.

Installation

The application can be downloaded from the AppStore or Google Play, and all the necessary components will be installed on your smartphone automatically.

Instructions for use

The application works only when you have access to the network. It has a friendly, intuitive interface that even an inexperienced user can easily figure out.

Capabilities

Through the application, you can receive alerts about the state of the machine, control the alarm and security status, remotely block the engine and track the location.

Mobile application "Ghost" for managing GSM alarms

In addition, there is an auto-start and engine warm-up function.

Immobilizer Installation Instructions

You can entrust the installation of the immobilizer to car service employees or do it yourself according to the instructions.

To install the Ghost immobilizer 530, the general scheme for connecting devices of the 500th series is used. It must also be used as installation instructions for models 510 and 540:

1. First you need to install the device unit in any hidden place in the cabin, for example, under the trim or behind the dashboard.
2. After that, in accordance with the already mentioned electrical circuit, you should connect it to the vehicle's on-board network.
3. Further, depending on the type of immobilizer used, a wired engine compartment or a wireless controller is installed. For example, according to the instructions for the Ghost 540 immobilizer, it blocks using the CAN bus, which means that the module of this device will be wireless.
4. Next, apply voltage to the device until an intermittent sound signal occurs.
5. After that, the immobilizer will automatically synchronize with the vehicle control unit - this will take a few minutes.
6. Within 15 minutes after installation, the blocker must be programmed.

This instruction can also be used for the Prizrak-U immobilizer, but for this model the device will need to be connected according to a different electrical circuit.

See also: The best mechanical protection against car theft on the pedal: TOP-4 protective mechanisms

Conclusion

Modern immobilizers are made as easy as possible to install and use. The level of anti-theft protection they also have is an order of magnitude higher than that of devices of the previous generation.

The cost of such devices most often depends on the level of protection and the complexity of installation.

Immobilizer Ghost 540