TVR Chimaera 2000 W Reg 4.5ltr -ignition key/immobiliser
Discussion
The ignition key I have is referred to as the radio key in the book. The head of the key is black with a grey button on one side and a smaller grey button on the edge. This smaller button releases the boot lock. The larger grey button locks and unlocks and alarms and disarms. I also have a small black flat plastic key referred to as the contact key. This is for the immobiliser which has a point near the ignition switch on the side of the steering cowling. The problem I seem to be having is that when the vehicle is unlocked, whether I'm outside the vehicle with the ignition key or I am in the vehicle and probably had the engine running and now switched off, it will not restart unless I insert this small contact key, which means taking the ignition key out of the ignition and inserting the contact key to turn off the immobiliser and then within 10 - 15 seconds, re-insert the ignition key to start the vehicle. Both keys are on the same ring. The book says that by pressing the grey button on the radio key for less than 2 seconds, it will turn off the immobiliser and the car will start. However, all that seems to happen is it locks the car up. So does anyone have any ideas? Thanks in advance for the flood of replies, or am I just alone with this problem.
I have the same system as you. It was the last step in having a new alarm immobiliser fitted by Carl Baker a few years ago.
The simple answer is that if you don't start the car within (I think it is) 30 seconds after unlocking, the immobiliser re-arms.
He gives you longer than TVR did (15 seconds), but not long enough to check if the Mrs's bum looks big in this, hesitate before answering, duck to avoid the flying frying pan, and still start the car.
If the immobiloiser has re-armed, you just need to lock and unlock the car - two pushes on the big grey button - and turn the ignition on all the way to the pre-start position.
The remote boot opener makes all this worthwhie, and the TVR boot opener (button under the dash with the ignition on) still works.
The simple answer is that if you don't start the car within (I think it is) 30 seconds after unlocking, the immobiliser re-arms.
He gives you longer than TVR did (15 seconds), but not long enough to check if the Mrs's bum looks big in this, hesitate before answering, duck to avoid the flying frying pan, and still start the car.
If the immobiloiser has re-armed, you just need to lock and unlock the car - two pushes on the big grey button - and turn the ignition on all the way to the pre-start position.
The remote boot opener makes all this worthwhie, and the TVR boot opener (button under the dash with the ignition on) still works.
It's not the standard TVR system, it's the one fitted by Carl Baker when he redesigned the Meta system - mine is a Meta 99T.
This is what the key looks like:
PS I have never had to use the extra two pronged little thing that presses onto the contacts on the steering column.
I am guessing that is there in case of emergencies, like trying to start the car with a key that doesn't have the immobiliser chip.
Just ignore it, your ignition key big button will unlock the car, release the steering lock, and disarm the immobiliser.
The little button, as you said, does the boot.
This is what the key looks like:
PS I have never had to use the extra two pronged little thing that presses onto the contacts on the steering column.
I am guessing that is there in case of emergencies, like trying to start the car with a key that doesn't have the immobiliser chip.
Just ignore it, your ignition key big button will unlock the car, release the steering lock, and disarm the immobiliser.
The little button, as you said, does the boot.
Thanks for all the replies, chaps. QBee's pic of the key is just like mine. I just can't believe that it seems normal to have to lock and unlock the car using the grey button to get the immobiliser off and be able to start the car. For instance, go shopping in car, stop at shop and turn engine off, LED flashing on immobiliser, I'm still in car waiting, good lady returns from shopping, how do I start car?
Carbri said:
Thanks for all the replies, chaps. QBee's pic of the key is just like mine. I just can't believe that it seems normal to have to lock and unlock the car using the grey button to get the immobiliser off and be able to start the car. For instance, go shopping in car, stop at shop and turn engine off, LED flashing on immobiliser, I'm still in car waiting, good lady returns from shopping, how do I start car?
Lock and unlock is the only way i have found. Or leave the ignition switched on at the pre-start position. I agree it is a little frustrating.If you want to know more, email Carl through his website. www.tvruk.tv
I think modern cars must simply know the key is in (range of) the car once you have unlocked it.
My wife's Saab is the same age as my TVR, and we never lock it at home as we have an electric gate, the cars aren't visible from the road, and we live in the country nowhere near a big city or a theft hot spot. Also, with the car being worth about £800, my theory is if you leave nothing in the car, then if some chancer climbs the gate and tries to get into the locked car, the damage he will cause would write the car off.
I do see the immobiliser light flashing in the dark, yet if i get into it holding the keys it just starts. You cannot nick a Saab without the keys - it has a transmission lock, not a steering lock, which as far as i am aware is impossible to get at
Many thanks for the info. It's nice to know someone else has the same system, key and way of operating. I just thought it seemed a little strange, but there again, it is a TVR. At least I now know there is nothing wrong. I have only owned the car 6 weeks, so it's all a bit strange to me at the moment. However, still think it's good fun even just listening to it ticking over! Once again, thanks for the info.
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