Discussion
I'm looking into buying a spare alarm remote, but I have a couple queries which I hope somebody can help me with first.
1) I'm not sure what make of alarm I have fitted. The car is a pre-facelift Chimaera 4.0HC (1996). Confusingly the manual seems to have instructions for a remote with two buttons, the one I've got is kind of square-ish with one round button in the centre.
2) What is the purpose of the black stick thingy. I realise it fits into a socket on the steering column, does this turn off the immobilizer? I guess I shouldn't keep the spare inside the car if this is the case!
Chimaera 4.0HC
1) I'm not sure what make of alarm I have fitted. The car is a pre-facelift Chimaera 4.0HC (1996). Confusingly the manual seems to have instructions for a remote with two buttons, the one I've got is kind of square-ish with one round button in the centre.
2) What is the purpose of the black stick thingy. I realise it fits into a socket on the steering column, does this turn off the immobilizer? I guess I shouldn't keep the spare inside the car if this is the case!
Chimaera 4.0HC
I just got a couple of extra remotes. They are for a meta alarm and, again, were about £40 a piece.
You might be able to find the alarm manufacturers name on the printed circuit board inside your remote. Must be some way of opening it so you can change the battery.
From your description, (one button, squarish (rounded corners?) and a stick) it sounds like you might have the same alarm as mine. my car is a 97 model, so pretty similar date. The alarm is a Meta system ... I think the model is something like a 99T.
You might be able to find the alarm manufacturers name on the printed circuit board inside your remote. Must be some way of opening it so you can change the battery.
From your description, (one button, squarish (rounded corners?) and a stick) it sounds like you might have the same alarm as mine. my car is a 97 model, so pretty similar date. The alarm is a Meta system ... I think the model is something like a 99T.
No joy with finding a spare Meta 99T alarm remote so far.
Asked at a car alarm specialist and they said they couldn't help me since the 8-digit code number inside the remote contains 8s and 9s. This means the remote transmits using a "rolling frequency" (different each time I think that means) rather than a fixed frequency.
They suggested going to a Fiat dealer (who also use Meta alarms apparently).
Chimaera 4.0HC
Asked at a car alarm specialist and they said they couldn't help me since the 8-digit code number inside the remote contains 8s and 9s. This means the remote transmits using a "rolling frequency" (different each time I think that means) rather than a fixed frequency.
They suggested going to a Fiat dealer (who also use Meta alarms apparently).
Chimaera 4.0HC
To get a new fob made up you need the code number that is printed on a plastic dog-tag that is seperate to the fob. The number inside the fob is no good. Meta have told me that if you do not have this dog-tag the only way to get a new fob is to send the alarm's 'brain' back to them. A spare immobiliser key can be made using a 'blank' and the socket that it fits into to demobilise the car.
The answer is :
All Griff & Chim from 02-01-96 had the Meta M99T alarm system fitted as standard .
This alarm system comprises 2 units linked together:The M99T control unit & battery backed siren & the M36T immobiliser along with the GEC Plessey Mk4 mircoave.
The key fob is not easy to recode to the car alarm system , best leave to a pro , TVR Dealer ,the Factory or a Meta specialist.
Hope this helps , as this came from the factory for insurance reasons.
I haven't got the red tag with the code number, but what I do have (printed on an old service receipt from the original dealer) is a Key code.
It's ten digits (6 numbers - one letter - 3 numbers), is this likely to be the same code as printed on the red tag?
Anyway, got the name of the local Meta dealer, so I'll go and ask them next weekend if they can help
Chimaera 4.0HC
It's ten digits (6 numbers - one letter - 3 numbers), is this likely to be the same code as printed on the red tag?
Anyway, got the name of the local Meta dealer, so I'll go and ask them next weekend if they can help
Chimaera 4.0HC
My Meta alarm fob fell apart today and after putting it back together it wouldn't work anymore - I only have one fob - that's all I got with the car (BTW - the ID nuber is 16 digits/letters long and is normally on a red plastic card, but again it was not with the car when I got it - but fortunately it's been written in the owner's manual. I contacted my local TVR dealer who said that once they got a replacement I would still need a working fob in order to program the new one, otherwise it's a complete new system! Luckily I managed to reassemble the old one and it works (phew!) so now I am waiting for the new fob to arrive. Moral here - make sure you've always got a spare alarm fob.
I've given up trying to find out the ID number for mine. I have tried the TVR dealer who sold the car from new, the factory and previous owners (although not all responded, they may have moved I guess) - none could help. 
So praying that it doesn't break is the short term solution , fitting a new alarm system in the long term.
So praying that it doesn't break is the short term solution , fitting a new alarm system in the long term.
I would have called the factory if I hadn't found the ID number written in the owner's manual, though as the dealer said - let's hope that nobody has replaced the alarm since the car left the factory! I don't think so - it's a 96 Chimaera and the fob looks about the right condition for the year...I just hope I'm right!
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