AM tracker deactivating

[johnnyBv8]

The tracker on my new (to me) 2009 Vantage doesn't seem to be deactivating (the red PATS light stays on for 60 seconds after setting off). I only have one tag, and I'm guessing the internal battery has died in it. The car itself has a newish battery, but still seems to be draining within a few days, so I'm guessing the two may be linked. A couple of questions:

1) Can the battery inside the tracker fob be replaced?
2) Can the system be deactivated altogether?

Thanks

[Jon39]

I am not expert on these matters, but if the tracker subscription has lapsed, you can ignore the PATS light (which still illuminates initially), and you do not need to carry the plastic (thingys).

Am sure that you must be able to replace the batteries.
Not paying must deactivate the system, but you might be thinking, how to turn off the PATS light, which I cannot answer.

Enjoy your new car.

[johnnyBv8]

Ok, thanks. I thought that the PATS light and the battery drain could be linked, but perhaps not. I think I'll just take it in to the dealer, as there are a couple of other things I want them to do anyway.

[IanV12VR]

The batteries in the fob cannot be replaced and if you want to continue with your tracker (and have paid your subscription) you will need to buy a new fob, not cheap! Mine only seem to last just over a year before they go. On our V12VSR we have the new system where the fob can be switched off when not in use and the batteries can be replaced. A much meter system.

As for the PATS light being on after switched off then cannot help on that but seems to recall seeing threads where the tracker has been responsible for battery drain. I would have thought if you do not pay the subscription it will just stop them alerting you when there is an alarm but not stop it working in the car.

[Wobbly]

You don't have to buy a new fob, I had my tracker linked to my iphone, this did away with the fobs.

I used it like this for a few years, but when I changed insurance company and they didn't insist on a tracker, I let the subscription lapse.

[Grant3]

Yup I agree with Wobbly, the Euro-Watch system allows you to use (most, but not all) your mobile phone as your tag.. usually via Eurowatch customer services when the subscription is activated.

[Grumpydev]

If it's the eurowatch one (can't remember when it switched to the new one) then you can replace the batteries by prising it open (trim removers work well for this) and soldering two wires - you can get the replacement batteries from here:

https://cellpacksolutions.co.uk/products/batteries...

Much easier to pair a phone though

[johnnyBv8]

Yep, it's Eurowatch. The only reason for getting a new fob (or the tracker deactivated) was that I thought perhaps they were draining the battery. However, not sure they will be based on the advice in this thread....presumably if subscription has lapsed and the tag battery is flat, then it won't be doing anything anyway (and hence not draining the battery!).

[Grumpydev]

johnnyBv8 said:

Yep, it's Eurowatch. The only reason for getting a new fob (or the tracker deactivated) was that I thought perhaps they were draining the battery. However, not sure they will be based on the advice in this thread....presumably if subscription has lapsed and the tag battery is flat, then it won't be doing anything anyway (and hence not draining the battery!).

Unless its faulty I guess.. I thought if the tracker was deactivated the PATS light didn't even come on.

[cayman-black]

Grumpydev said:

Unless its faulty I guess.. I thought if the tracker was deactivated the PATS light didn't even come on.

I have no tracker . The PATS light on my car works as the OP has described.

[Minglar]

Hi johnnyBv8

As others have mentioned there have been some previous threads on this subject, so it's worth searching. The first thing to do imho is to call Eurowatch. They can check remotely if the tracker unit in your car is working correctly. If it is, then ask them to pair your phone there and then. It only takes a few minutes and saves the hassle of carrying the oversized fob around (if you do prefer the fob, you can still go down that route). If the tracker unit is faulty, then be careful, as this can result in a rapid battery drain. The red light was the first sign of a fault as I used my phone to pair. The day I had the car booked in to replace the unit with the new CobraTrak system, the battery was flat and the car wouldn't start. This was only a couple of weeks after Eurowatch diagnosed the fault. As Ian said earlier, the newer system is much better. Smaller tags and they can be switched off when not in use. Hope that helps.

Best Regards

Minglar

[johnnyBv8]

Thaks guys - no answer when I phoned Eurowatch, so I've emailed them. Will update when resolved!

[johnnyBv8]

Just spoken to Eurowatch - apparently it has already been deactivated/blocked on my car, so shouldn't be causing any problems. It's had a recent battery....not sure what else to check, so I'll need to put it into the dealer I think!

[Brital]

AML have had problems with some of the transponders failing. They are understandably but sadly not easy to get at. A bugger if the insurance (eg AMOC Lockton scheme) insist on a Tracker. If you do need to replace I've found the Vodafone tracking service much much better than Eurowatch.

[arinb12]

Have been reading about rapid battery drain being caused by possible tracker fault. I don't have a subscription but I was interested to know what fuse I can pull to test that it's not the cause of my battery drain? I have an 09 v8vantage

[johnnyBv8]

Hi, it's fuse 2. My responses on the link below cover it. In the end the solution was just to get the dealer to deactivate it:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[viglaman]

A million apologies for the thread bump but we seem to have a problem. Cellpack solutions do not make this anymore:

https://cellpacksolutions.co.uk/products/batteries...

I have a stash of 1 left but we need a solution. Anybody?

[Jon39]

Jon39 said:

I am not expert on these matters, but if the tracker subscription has lapsed, you can ignore the PATS light (which still illuminates initially), and you do not need to carry the plastic (thingys).

Am sure that you must be able to replace the batteries.
Not paying must deactivate the system, but you might be thinking, how to turn off the PATS light, which I cannot answer.

Enjoy your new car.

When I clicked on this topic to view the new post, I saw my own post (above) from 2016.
I immediately realised, that I knew even less about what I am saying then, than I do now.

These days I know that a failed tracker battery can cause main battery drain, with all sorts of annoying consequences.