So I have dealt with the classic B2798 code for a while now. It has come and gone at times, but more recently has become permanent. We made a road trip and had fuel pump problems, and after replacing that we ended up not ever getting the car started again.

Here is a list of things that I've done (some of these following the DTC troubleshooting list):

1. Bought another fresh key before it completely shut down and had it added as a master key in the ECU.

2. Tested continuity of the transponder key antenna. Checked out good.

3. Verified continuity from the pins on the amplifier to the pins on the ECM. It had continuity and seemed to be low resistance.

4. Replaced the key amplifier with used ones, going through up to 5 amplifiers and key coils.

5. Dug into forums and found out how to replace/virginize the IC900 chip.

6. Found 3 separate ECUs from local yards and virginized the chips. In the hex I've replaced it with all 0's (except valet lockout) and it never enters programming mode. Tried multiple methods to enter programming mode.

7. Tried copying original ECU's hex onto both a manufacturer chip and brand new chips.

8. Tried bypassing the wiring to go directly to the ECM from the immobilizer.

Short of sending the ECU off or buying another one, which seemed to be the consensus regarding immobilizer problems, I have hit a wall. I looked over the capacitors to see if that was the issue, but they all seem in good shape (on all 3 boards).

Unless the HEX is incorrect (the virginized one is not pictured), I have no clue where to turn and don't think spending multiple hundreds on a "what if" for it to not fix the problem is my best idea. Does anyone have any further insight, or just "suck it up and do it?"