Immobiliser Probs

[Ahhh Moneypenny]

Hi

Just bought my first Subaru am finding the immobiliser temperamental and not sure if it's me (strong possibility!!) or the battery in the little button key thingy is low. Sometimes it won't lock when I press the button, other times it won't start, apparently if you unlock it then leave it longer than 30 seconds before you start it the immobiliser kicks in so you turn the key until the red lights are on press the button then the engine starts, and more often than not it works but I was stuck 20mins yesterday trying this, eventually it worked, am I not pressing the button long enough or could the battery be low?

Questions, Questions I know!!Any advice appreciated

[GregE240]

Why not replace the battery, then see if the problem persists?

[Ahhh Moneypenny]

GregE240 said:

Why not replace the battery, then see if the problem persists?

I was going to be this woman in Halfords said do not remove the battery????? So now am in a quandry as what to do.

[GregE240]

Try taking it to a main dealer?

Halfords isn't exactly the font of all knowledge automotive...

[Orangecurry]

Ahhh Moneypenny said:

Hi

Just bought my first Subaru am finding the immobiliser temperamental and not sure if it's me (strong possibility!!) or the battery in the little button key thingy is low. Sometimes it won't lock when I press the button, other times it won't start, apparently if you unlock it then leave it longer than 30 seconds before you start it the immobiliser kicks in so you turn the key until the red lights are on press the button then the engine starts, and more often than not it works but I was stuck 20mins yesterday trying this, eventually it worked, am I not pressing the button long enough or could the battery be low?

Questions, Questions I know!!Any advice appreciated

if it is the original UK Subaru fitted alarm, mine started doing what yours is doing, and (with lots of new batteries at every chance) got worse until one day it just decided to refuse to allow the car to start.

IMO get rid and get a new one - I had the Laserline 213 fitted 'professionally', and I can now unlock the car from miles away or through several solid walls - much better than having to press the old fob up against the glass

The Laserline 213 was also Thatcham approved in May 2006, so it'll be a long time before it drops off insurance companies approved list.

[Weso]

I had a similar problem with mine (2001 WRX). The sigma plipper was really temperamental and would sometimes work and sometimes not. Changed the batteries (fine to do yourself but don't leave without batteries for too long), and no real difference. In the end I unsrewed the back, bent the contacts a bit and it's been perfect ever since! Might be worth a try.

[Ahhh Moneypenny]

Thanks guys, am going to up grade the alarm system as it has been really temporamental, taking the shine of my new car!!