Locked out of my Griff...immobiliser problem?

[TvrIanD]

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.

[TvrIanD]

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!

[TvrIanD]

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]

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.