Locked out of my Griff...immobiliser problem?

Locked out of my Griff...immobiliser problem?

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TvrIanD

Original Poster:

32 posts

129 months

Sunday 31st August 2014
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Today I could not unlock my '97 Griff 500 with either of the key fobs. Changed batteries, dismantled fobs, re-assembled fobs with the same result...nothing.

I have just checked for illuminated LEDs on the lower dash and at ignition and there's none to be seen. The battery should be fully charged. Would this suggest the immobiliser fuse has blown?

I have just had the dash professionally re-veneered including removal and replacement. Any possibility that the removal and then replacement of the dash components might have caused an electrical issue? I have never had immobiliser fuse issues up until this point.

Be interested to hear of any suggestions including the fuse location. I'm aware of how to get into the vehicle.

Hedgehopper

1,537 posts

244 months

Monday 1st September 2014
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My '97 handbook mentions several fuses that are connected to the alarm. They are 6, 7, 12, and 13.

When I have any electrical problems the first thing I do is to disconnect the battery for 30 seconds or so and re-boot the systems..quite often seems to work.

Good luck.

TvrIanD

Original Poster:

32 posts

129 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
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Managed to get into vehicle and battery was totally flat. Managed to jump start (so no immobiliser issue), fully charged battery, but 24 hrs later battery totally drained again. Also now noticed that the warning symbol LEDs for the lights are not correct, e.g. no LED illuminated when side lights on and wrong colour for full beam. Beginning to wish I had never had my dash re-veneered as I sense my electrics have now been compromised!

PeteGriff

1,262 posts

157 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
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TvrIanD said:
Managed to get into vehicle and battery was totally flat. Managed to jump start (so no immobiliser issue), fully charged battery, but 24 hrs later battery totally drained again. Also now noticed that the warning symbol LEDs for the lights are not correct, e.g. no LED illuminated when side lights on and wrong colour for full beam. Beginning to wish I had never had my dash re-veneered as I sense my electrics have now been compromised!
Ian, it sounds to me like there have been some incorrect connections made by whoever done the work! Was it working OK when you had it back? As you may have seen from my post I have just replaced my dash with one of my own manufacture, I took all the wires off only after labelling everything and taking pictures, then when wring up new dash replaced all exactly how they had originally came off. I had no issues when all installed. If I can help with any photos from my exercise let me know. Regards, Pete

GJR

827 posts

280 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
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Hi Ian, if the car was fine before the dash work and has been problematic since (plus the LED issues) , it does sound as if something has been incorrectly re-connected or damaged. I took loads of pictures of the wiring of my dash when I re-veneered (97 500 also). If you need them for reference let me know.

If the battery has fully discharged a couple of times it'd probably be better in the long run to replace it. But, it's probably better to stick with the old one until you resolve the problem. Can you measure the drain with a multimeter? Pull fuses and relays until the drain drops off. I'm no expert with the electrics so someone else may be able to advise here.

GJR

827 posts

280 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
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Ahhh..... Snap Peter. biggrin

TvrIanD

Original Poster:

32 posts

129 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
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PeteGriff said:
Ian, it sounds to me like there have been some incorrect connections made by whoever done the work! Was it working OK when you had it back? As you may have seen from my post I have just replaced my dash with one of my own manufacture, I took all the wires off only after labelling everything and taking pictures, then when wring up new dash replaced all exactly how they had originally came off. I had no issues when all installed. If I can help with any photos from my exercise let me know. Regards, Pete
Yes I have seen your new dash thread. Very nice.

Indeed it looks like some wrong connections. Almost certainly wasn't working OK when I got the vehicle back, but did not think to check when the car was dropped back in daylight. Interestingly the garage were late in delivering back the vehicle as the immobiliser fuse had popped. This hadn't happened before during my ownership, and I had had no previous signs of a battery on its way out prior to the dash refurb. The garage concerned have been very forthcoming though in offering to get this investigated, so we'll see what happens. Just taking the edge off the excitement of having a very nice re-veneered dash.

TvrIanD

Original Poster:

32 posts

129 months

Wednesday 3rd September 2014
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GJR said:
Hi Ian, if the car was fine before the dash work and has been problematic since (plus the LED issues) , it does sound as if something has been incorrectly re-connected or damaged. I took loads of pictures of the wiring of my dash when I re-veneered (97 500 also). If you need them for reference let me know.

If the battery has fully discharged a couple of times it'd probably be better in the long run to replace it. But, it's probably better to stick with the old one until you resolve the problem. Can you measure the drain with a multimeter? Pull fuses and relays until the drain drops off. I'm no expert with the electrics so someone else may be able to advise here.
I'm no electrics expert either. Indeed a new battery at some point and probably a complete overhaul of the electrics (have had conversations with Carl Baker to potentially arrange this). However, the garage are no amateurs and I would think they themselves would have taken pictures etc. (they are TVR specialists..I haven't mentioned them by name as we do not really know the source of the problem as yet). I may well take you up on the picture offer if indeed sorting this out proves to be a problem. Thanks.

neutral 3

6,474 posts

170 months

Thursday 4th September 2014
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My car wouldn't start yesterday, Cobra alarm fob wasn't operating and the the boot release button on the fob wasn't working either and the dash boot opening switch was operating
I rang my auto electrician and he suggested disconnecting then reconnecting the car battery, which we did and the beast started but I still couldn't open the boot and very low on fuel. Managed to get back and took all the fuses out to check them on removing a blue 15 amp the central locking activated. I also removed all the relays on the fuse board and refitted them. I then tried the fob button and imeadiately it beeped and the beast sprang into life !!

So my problem is fuse related.

Brighton Speed Trials this Saturday here we come !!

PeteGriff

1,262 posts

157 months

Thursday 4th September 2014
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neutral 3 said:
My car wouldn't start yesterday, Cobra alarm fob wasn't operating and the the boot release button on the fob wasn't working either and the dash boot opening switch was operating
I rang my auto electrician and he suggested disconnecting then reconnecting the car battery, which we did and the beast started but I still couldn't open the boot and very low on fuel. Managed to get back and took all the fuses out to check them on removing a blue 15 amp the central locking activated. I also removed all the relays on the fuse board and refitted them. I then tried the fob button and imeadiately it beeped and the beast sprang into life !!

So my problem is fuse related.

Brighton Speed Trials this Saturday here we come !!
This may not be connected with your issues, but a couple of years ago I had starting issues due to immobiliser NOT deactivating when key inserted (430 Pre-cat with Gemini system), it then started ran and cut out! Traced the blighter to a dodgy inline fuse on immobiliser circuit! I subsequently sorted all the connections, repalcing where required and then going through all the untidy 'spaghetti' making sure connections are good. To date NO more issues. By the way when my Griff was in being retrimmed recently I took the opportunity of tidying up all the wiring, checking connectors and relocating the 'mess' hanging above the battery into a nice plastic equipment box with cutouts fo rth erelays and fuses.

We must remember our cars ar up to 22 years old now so wiring, fuses and connectors are ageing. Hope this has been helpful, regards, Pete

Pete Mac

755 posts

137 months

Friday 5th September 2014
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TvrIanD said:
However, the garage are no amateurs and I would think they themselves would have taken pictures etc. (they are TVR specialists..I haven't mentioned them by name as we do not really know the source of the problem as yet
Sorry Ian, it's too coincidental that you have a problem straight after a new dash.

It's not hard to have your battery checked over to make sure the cells are OK and they are holding their charge.

I am certainly not an electrics expert but the only way I've ever cured faults is to go from one end and check everything on the way. Dash has been out? my money is one or two wrong connections there somewhere. Your garage may be TVR specialists but nobody is perfect and they also may have made a mistake in the connections. Good luck, Pete

Edited by Pete Mac on Friday 5th September 07:45