Flat battery

[fatgeorge]

Greetings from a newbie with an old problem.

After having a battery problem, I had to leave the car (93 Chimaera) for two weeks. Now not even the red flashing LED on the dash is working. It's time for a new battery but I'm locked out. Can someone pls let me know (by mail) how I can get back in to solve the problem. - FG

[k4trv]

Use the key and push the door lock down to open the door ??

Only the post 96/97 cars were "key-less"

No key ? Then we couldn't possibly say !!

Trev McM

[drum4it2]

you have mail (YHM)

[Marcos Maniac]

k4trv said:

Only the post 96/97 cars were "key-less"

what about 95's then

[the dodger]

Fatgeorge - are you in then?

Even with the early cars which had key-locks you can't get in with a flat battery! The key only operates a solenoid - VERY frustrating if you're locked out with a flatty.

This happened to me with a Ford (Sierra) ages ago and I'd left the lights on all day. Key still opened the door though so I could pop the bonnet to hook up jump leads.

[k4trv]

Marcos Manic said: what about 95's then??

Sorry, thought the key-less came in later !! Trev

the dodger said:

snippity: Even with the early cars which had key-locks you can't get in with a flat battery! The key only operates a solenoid - VERY frustrating if you're locked out with a flatty...........Snip

That's not how my 93 Chimaera door locks operate. The key locks and unlocks the door locking system irrespective of the solenoid. (since my solenoids [Oh Doctor !] have not worked for years until a new alarm system installed - I strongly suspect that's how all 93/94's work) The solenoid on the other hand can only lock or unlock when it has a serviceable battery.

Trev McM

[fatgeorge]

the dodger said:

Fatgeorge - are you in then? Even with the early cars which had key-locks you can't get in with a flat battery! The key only operates a solenoid - VERY frustrating if you're locked out with a flatty. This happened to me with a Ford (Sierra) ages ago and I'd left the lights on all day. Key still opened the door though so I could pop the bonnet to hook up jump leads.

Yes, but not with the key. If it's supposed to work with this 93, it's something that needs fixing.

Thanks all for the for replies, I was totally stumped.
- FG

[the dodger]

k4trv said:

the dodger said: snippity: Even with the early cars which had key-locks you can't get in with a flat battery! The key only operates a solenoid - VERY frustrating if you're locked out with a flatty...........Snip That's not how my 93 Chimaera door locks operate. The key locks and unlocks the door locking system irrespective of the solenoid. (since my solenoids [Oh Doctor !] have not worked for years until a new alarm system installed - I strongly suspect that's how all 93/94's work) The solenoid on the other hand can only lock or unlock when it has a serviceable battery. Trev McM

Well.......some days you learn nothing! So you have mechanical door locks via key but solenoid locks for the alarm? Hmmm.

still very surprised they changed solenoids and wiring sometime early 94, then again in 95

[K4TRV]

the dodger said:

k4trv said: the dodger said: snippity: Even with the early cars which had key-locks you can't get in with a flat battery! The key only operates a solenoid - VERY frustrating if you're locked out with a flatty...........Snip That's not how my 93 Chimaera door locks operate. The key locks and unlocks the door locking system irrespective of the solenoid. (since my solenoids [Oh Doctor !] have not worked for years until a new alarm system installed - I strongly suspect that's how all 93/94's work) The solenoid on the other hand can only lock or unlock when it has a serviceable battery. Trev McM Well.......some days you learn nothing! So you have mechanical door locks via key but solenoid locks for the alarm? Hmmm. still very surprised they changed solenoids and wiring sometime early 94, then again in 95

That sums it up. The solenoids on my 93 are/were wired for the alarm - there is nothing else that will trigger them. I do not have the button on the door opener next to gear lever to lock un-lock the solenoids. The "new" alarm merely sets the solenoids to lock or unlock. If locked via the alarm I can still use the key on the door lock and unlock the door mechanism (as I suspect all push button with key lock Chimaeras can) - alarm will then go off when the door is opened!! But if battery is flat I can still get in via the key. Hence my original post.

Trev McM

[the dodger]

K4TRV said:

That sums it up. The solenoids on my 93 are/were wired for the alarm - there is nothing else that will trigger them. I do not have the button on the door opener next to gear lever to lock un-lock the solenoids. The "new" alarm merely sets the solenoids to lock or unlock. If locked via the alarm I can still use the key on the door lock and unlock the door mechanism (as I suspect all push button with key lock Chimaeras can) - alarm will then go off when the door is opened!! But if battery is flat I can still get in via the key. Hence my original post. Trev McM

Ah-ha! Thanks for the info Trev. Does that mean your car - and all early cars (Rover g/b) did not have central locking as standard? learning all the time

[K4TRV]

the dodger said:

K4TRV said: That sums it up. The solenoids on my 93 are/were wired for the alarm - there is nothing else that will trigger them. I do not have the button on the door opener next to gear lever to lock un-lock the solenoids. The "new" alarm merely sets the solenoids to lock or unlock. If locked via the alarm I can still use the key on the door lock and unlock the door mechanism (as I suspect all push button with key lock Chimaeras can) - alarm will then go off when the door is opened!! But if battery is flat I can still get in via the key. Hence my original post. Trev McM Ah-ha! Thanks for the info Trev. Does that mean your car - and all early cars (Rover g/b) did not have central locking as standard? learning all the time

Yup, and I don't know if it was an "option" early on or not. My handbook does not refer to "central locking", also it shows the techique on how to lock/unlock and set the alarm with the key - not a blipper mentioned.

With new alarm I now do have remote central locking and a Rover gearbox !!

Trev McM

[the dodger]

Sorry to on (groan) Trev, I find it intreaging that you can lock and set the alarm from the drivers door key-lock (as I can) but the passenger's door is left unlocked! My handbook (dated March 1993) says on p21 "The Chimaera is fitted with deadlocks to the doors and a microwave alarm system, both of which can be activated by either door lock"

What does yours say?

[k4trv]

the dodger said:

Sorry to on (groan) Trev, I find it intreaging that you can lock and set the alarm from the drivers door key-lock (as I can) but the passenger's door is left unlocked! My handbook (dated March 1993) says on p21 "The Chimaera is fitted with deadlocks to the doors and a microwave alarm system, both of which can be activated by either door lock" What does yours say?

sorry, been away at meetings........
Same handbook, same date and same statement - but as I said from outset, alarm would set but no "clunk" from solenoids. Mine has never worked as-stated-on-the-tin (its a TVR !!), then I found it had a different alarm (a Clifford) and was isolated from door solenoids and indicators - right mess !!

So as you say, passenger door stays unlocked - I used to have it permanently locked, so passenger had to wait until I opened with inner knob.

So earlier cars could still be opened by key if battery was flat - returning to original query !!

Trev McM

[the dodger]

Thanks again Trev. I think we'll leave it there then as this could go on forever. The 94 cars I looked at (2 rover g/b, 1 BW) all had c/l by key. One only had std factory alarm so no blipper (all on the key and horn as the siren - as in the book I suppose). Others had alarm "upgrades" or replacements, or both. These you could use key or blipper. BTW mine is the BW g/b.

Goodnight and thanks again.