Alarm/ locking problems

[stillgrinning]

I have done a search throughout the Tuscan forum but I can't find anything relating to my problem which is:

A few days ago I came back from somewhere and when I got out of the car and pressed the button on the key nothing happened. I went and got the spare key just in case it was a problem with the key but it still wouldn't shut the drivers window (which I had left open) and set the alarm.

I have been using the car for the last couple of days and have had to plug the little fob thing into the dash to deactivate the immobiliser and then she starts and runs absolutely peachy.

Any inexpensive or DIY thoughts or am I in for another trip to Coventry !

Thanks in advance.

Ian

[S6PNJ]

Ian, I had a similar problem the other month - called the AA out in the end (well I was stopping several large lorries from getting off their ferry!!!). The chap that came out was well versed in TVR alarms (and others) and knew all about the Meta alarms.

In my case, the symptoms were:
Couldn't lock the car with the fob. From trying various things (including fuses), the alarm then sounded and I couldn't turn it off. Couldn't start the car or de-arm the alarm even with the manual fob thing. As the car was immobilised, couldn't lower the windows. I ended up locking myself out and having to get in the 'special' way.

In my case the solution was:
AA man went into the driver footwell, removed the ali plate covering the pedals (to give better access) and removed the side panel nearest the wheel held in place with velcro. In here is your ECU and Meta control box (1 of 2). There is a small lead (3 pin I think) that plugs in here and 'talks' to the other unit. If they can't talk, the alarm won't activate/de-activte. As soon as the plug was re-inserted (it had probably come out due to 3 days at the 'Ring!) and the alarm button pressed, all was good again.

This might be your problem, it might not. If all else fails, give Carl Baker a ring at www.tvruk.tv he is pretty much the guru with Meta alarms I understand.

[asrovak]

stillgrinning said:

I have done a search throughout the Tuscan forum but I can't find anything relating to my problem which is:

A few days ago I came back from somewhere and when I got out of the car and pressed the button on the key nothing happened. I went and got the spare key just in case it was a problem with the key but it still wouldn't shut the drivers window (which I had left open) and set the alarm.

I have been using the car for the last couple of days and have had to plug the little fob thing into the dash to deactivate the immobiliser and then she starts and runs absolutely peachy.

Any inexpensive or DIY thoughts or am I in for another trip to Coventry !

Thanks in advance.

Ian

I managed to permanently immobilise the car after pulling the wrong fuse out!. Disconnecting the battery for a few secs reset everything ok.

[stillgrinning]

asrovak said:

stillgrinning said:

I have done a search throughout the Tuscan forum but I can't find anything relating to my problem which is:

A few days ago I came back from somewhere and when I got out of the car and pressed the button on the key nothing happened. I went and got the spare key just in case it was a problem with the key but it still wouldn't shut the drivers window (which I had left open) and set the alarm.

I have been using the car for the last couple of days and have had to plug the little fob thing into the dash to deactivate the immobiliser and then she starts and runs absolutely peachy.

Any inexpensive or DIY thoughts or am I in for another trip to Coventry !

Thanks in advance.

Ian

I managed to permanently immobilise the car after pulling the wrong fuse out!. Disconnecting the battery for a few secs reset everything ok.

That sounds like somehting that I could do ! IS there anything I need to know before I do it ?

Ian

[hallsie]

I had a similar problem after the accumate got mysteriously unplugged after the wife had been in the garage!!
A simple removal of the earth terminal behind the cover under the front passenger wheel arch for about a minute, and then reconnected it, and TA DAAA, all the alarm system and immobiliser working again..
Of course, a call to Taylor TVR in maidstone was needed to actually work this out whilst in panic mode.
Thanks Dan

Stu

[Mustang Baz]

Have also experienced a similar problem just this morning - the first time the Tusc has not started in 4 yrs

All was well unlocking the car, but upon turning the ignition, the car resolutely failed to catch/start. I could hear a "clicking" noise akin to sparks trying to ignite, and the pod flashed on and off with intelligible gibberish, but the car simply would not start. It now will not lock/immobilise but the windows/doors work okay, as does the Pod?? Have not yet called the AA but any thoughts appreciated. Car has been used for a long hoon app 3 weeks ago, but I have regularly started it and warmed it up since this time.

Could it be battery issues? This was still reading 11 volts on the pod and up until today, had always been north of 14v.

[stillgrinning]

Having left my lights on in the past, your problem sounds like a flat battery for whatever reason. All the symptoms sound exactly the same.

It has to be very very flat for you not to be able to open the doors and the clicking sounds like the fuel pump.

You may have left the boot slightly open or the interior light on - something small and insignificant - or the battery has just given up the ghost in this cold weather.

Either way, it doesn't sound to drastic so fingers crossed !

Ian

[Jediworrier]

Mustang Baz said:

Have also experienced a similar problem just this morning - the first time the Tusc has not started in 4 yrs

All was well unlocking the car, but upon turning the ignition, the car resolutely failed to catch/start. I could hear a "clicking" noise akin to sparks trying to ignite, and the pod flashed on and off with intelligible gibberish, but the car simply would not start. It now will not lock/immobilise but the windows/doors work okay, as does the Pod?? Have not yet called the AA but any thoughts appreciated. Car has been used for a long hoon app 3 weeks ago, but I have regularly started it and warmed it up since this time.

Could it be battery issues? This was still reading 11 volts on the pod and up until today, had always been north of 14v.

If it was mine I'd be checking the battery connections and earth to the engine. Good luck

[stillgrinning]

Totally top tips Guys.

Finally got round to getting the wheel off, accessed the battery, took off the earth (the black one), left it off for a minute and then put it back on. The lights flashed and Roberts your mothers brother !

Put it all back, put the wheel back on and it locked, unlocked, windows went up and down when I opened the doors and it started first time ! The key worked to turn on and turn off the alarm.

Very impressed that a muppet could do it !

Many thnaks again for the help.

[asrovak]

stillgrinning said:

asrovak said:

stillgrinning said:

I have done a search throughout the Tuscan forum but I can't find anything relating to my problem which is:

A few days ago I came back from somewhere and when I got out of the car and pressed the button on the key nothing happened. I went and got the spare key just in case it was a problem with the key but it still wouldn't shut the drivers window (which I had left open) and set the alarm.

I have been using the car for the last couple of days and have had to plug the little fob thing into the dash to deactivate the immobiliser and then she starts and runs absolutely peachy.

Any inexpensive or DIY thoughts or am I in for another trip to Coventry !

Thanks in advance.

Ian

I managed to permanently immobilise the car after pulling the wrong fuse out!. Disconnecting the battery for a few secs reset everything ok.

That sounds like somehting that I could do ! IS there anything I need to know before I do it ?

Ian

Yes, dont leave your keys in the ignition, reconnecting the battery locks and immobilises the car.
guess what I did.....DOH!

[stillgrinning]

asrovak said:

stillgrinning said:

asrovak said:

stillgrinning said:

I have done a search throughout the Tuscan forum but I can't find anything relating to my problem which is:

A few days ago I came back from somewhere and when I got out of the car and pressed the button on the key nothing happened. I went and got the spare key just in case it was a problem with the key but it still wouldn't shut the drivers window (which I had left open) and set the alarm.

I have been using the car for the last couple of days and have had to plug the little fob thing into the dash to deactivate the immobiliser and then she starts and runs absolutely peachy.

Any inexpensive or DIY thoughts or am I in for another trip to Coventry !

Thanks in advance.

Ian

I managed to permanently immobilise the car after pulling the wrong fuse out!. Disconnecting the battery for a few secs reset everything ok.

That sounds like somehting that I could do ! IS there anything I need to know before I do it ?

Ian

Yes, dont leave your keys in the ignition, reconnecting the battery locks and immobilises the car.
guess what I did.....DOH!

I shouldn't - but I have to....... sorry !

If it's any help, nothing worked this morning as the car qwas so covered in snow that whatever method the key uses to communicate with the car just wasn't playing !

[asrovak]

stillgrinning said:

asrovak said:

stillgrinning said:

asrovak said:

stillgrinning said:

I have done a search throughout the Tuscan forum but I can't find anything relating to my problem which is:

A few days ago I came back from somewhere and when I got out of the car and pressed the button on the key nothing happened. I went and got the spare key just in case it was a problem with the key but it still wouldn't shut the drivers window (which I had left open) and set the alarm.

I have been using the car for the last couple of days and have had to plug the little fob thing into the dash to deactivate the immobiliser and then she starts and runs absolutely peachy.

Any inexpensive or DIY thoughts or am I in for another trip to Coventry !

Thanks in advance.

Ian

I managed to permanently immobilise the car after pulling the wrong fuse out!. Disconnecting the battery for a few secs reset everything ok.

That sounds like somehting that I could do ! IS there anything I need to know before I do it ?

Ian

Yes, dont leave your keys in the ignition, reconnecting the battery locks and immobilises the car.
guess what I did.....DOH!

I shouldn't - but I have to....... sorry !

If it's any help, nothing worked this morning as the car qwas so covered in snow that whatever method the key uses to communicate with the car just wasn't playing !

[asrovak]

asrovak said:

stillgrinning said:

asrovak said:

stillgrinning said:

asrovak said:

stillgrinning said:

I have done a search throughout the Tuscan forum but I can't find anything relating to my problem which is:

A few days ago I came back from somewhere and when I got out of the car and pressed the button on the key nothing happened. I went and got the spare key just in case it was a problem with the key but it still wouldn't shut the drivers window (which I had left open) and set the alarm.

I have been using the car for the last couple of days and have had to plug the little fob thing into the dash to deactivate the immobiliser and then she starts and runs absolutely peachy.

Any inexpensive or DIY thoughts or am I in for another trip to Coventry !

Thanks in advance.

Ian

I managed to permanently immobilise the car after pulling the wrong fuse out!. Disconnecting the battery for a few secs reset everything ok.

That sounds like somehting that I could do ! IS there anything I need to know before I do it ?

Ian

Yes, dont leave your keys in the ignition, reconnecting the battery locks and immobilises the car.
guess what I did.....DOH!

I shouldn't - but I have to....... sorry !

If it's any help, nothing worked this morning as the car qwas so covered in snow that whatever method the key uses to communicate with the car just wasn't playing !

I know, sort of funny at the time, and even funnier now. Seriously though, look for the simplest fix first. If your car is outside like mine, It is probably electrical and water induced, I noticed a significant decrease in electrical lethargy after cleaning/changing fuses(doors and windows worked better/snappier). If disconnecting the neg terminal from the battery doesnt work for you, then check other electrical connections but dont delve to deeply unless you are comfortable with car electrics. they have a mind of their own once they go wrong and a pro might be the only course of action.
And dont forget - dont leave your keys in the ignition

[stillgrinning]

I know this thread looked dead but now the bloody alarm is refusing to unlock the car !

It has been intermittent in the recent past and I am hoping that I will be able to get into the car at some point but when I do can anyone give me any tips on anything I can do to try and stop this happening again (or whether I shouldn't just take the poxy thing to a specialist ?)

thanks again in advance !

[S6PNJ]

Ian,
Did you check the connectors on the ecu boxes in the drivers footwell? If not, might be worth a look.

[stillgrinning]

S6PNJ said:

Ian,
Did you check the connectors on the ecu boxes in the drivers footwell? If not, might be worth a look.

That sounds like the next place to start but try to imagine that I am a brainless numpty and that I don't know what an ecu looks like and that the drivers footwell is a vast open space with few signposts to ecus (please)

Thanks

Ian

[asrovak]

stillgrinning said:

S6PNJ said:

Ian,
Did you check the connectors on the ecu boxes in the drivers footwell? If not, might be worth a look.

That sounds like the next place to start but try to imagine that I am a brainless numpty and that I don't know what an ecu looks like and that the drivers footwell is a vast open space with few signposts to ecus (please)

Thanks

Ian

Have you dun what i said? - minus keys etc?