Immobilised Griff

[DarkMatter]

My '96 Griff 500 is in my garage and will not start. The fuel pump primes ok and the engine cranks over ok but there's not even a hint of it trying to fire. I've checked and can't see a spark at the plugs so I suspect the ignition immobiliser - I'm assuming that it has one.

The car has a non-standard alarm called a GT Auto Alarm model GT136142 for which I have no description or instructions.

I last used the car on Wednesday, when opening the car in the dark I inadvertently pressed the panic button on the alarm remote control. Having then pressed the correct button and entered the car it would not start until I armed/dis-armed it again. I've tried arming/dis-arming a few times today but it still will not start.

I know I can contact the alarm expert, Carl Baker, probably after Christmas, but I'm hoping there's something I can do to fix it myself. Any suggestions?

Thanks, Andrew.

[fat griff]

Maybe the starter motor is jammed, try knocking or shorting it out. Also there is a in-line 90amp or 100amp fuse down near there that could of blown. Good luck!

[GJR]

Hi Andrew,

Don't know much about ignition systems and I'm sure someone better informed will comment in a while, but I think that if the imobiliser was the problem the car wouldn't turn over at all. Maybe it's the coil or leads??

G

[griff50tvr]

If it is the immobiliser, you should have a concealed reset button. On my '99 Griff, it is located ....... I'm not posting on here where it is but, if you can't find it and want to try resetting it, reply to the email I have sent you.

Edited by griff50tvr on Saturday 23 December 16:11

[DarkMatter]

Thanks for your suggestions chaps.

The good news is that I've got it started. The bad news is that I'm not exactly sure how.

I was intending to measure the voltage on the positive and negative terminals of the coil. I turned on the ignition, pressed the alarm button to disarm, the fuel pump primed and the engine turned but did not fire. I left the ignition on in order to measure the voltage at the coil.

First of all I earthed my meter on the engine block and put the other lead on the positive then negative terminal of the coil - each indicated 0.6 volts. For no particular reason I removed and refitted one of the connectors on the positive terminal, then remeasured the voltage which was still 0.6 volts.

Being uncertain as to whether I had found a good earth for my meter I connected it to the chassis, then measured the voltages again. This time I measured 12.4 volts. As this seemed to be a good sign I tried to start the car and it fired and ran ok.

I guess the real confirmation will come when I try to start it tomorrow, but it would be nice to know why the actions I took lead to the car starting.

[lordgrover]

Any problems since?

[DarkMatter]

lordgrover said:

Any problems since?

No, it's been fine - I'm now being extra careful to ensure that I don't press the 'panic' button on the remote fob.