Why repair meta alarm if you can replace it?
Discussion
I know there are some very well respected people who can work miracles with the TVR Meta alarm, but I am curious why you wouldn't just remove such an old alarm and replace it with something more modern?
Is it becuase the Meta alarm is so well integrated with the TVR that a different unit could not be made work or would be hugely complex to install?
Reason for asking is that whilst I could take a day off work and travel to a remote TVR alarm guru to get things fixed, a much more convenient option would be to get a more local mobile specialist to fix it at my home.
Is it becuase the Meta alarm is so well integrated with the TVR that a different unit could not be made work or would be hugely complex to install?
Reason for asking is that whilst I could take a day off work and travel to a remote TVR alarm guru to get things fixed, a much more convenient option would be to get a more local mobile specialist to fix it at my home.
Or just buy a replacement Meta alarm and plug it in yourself. Bought from https://www.abacuscaralarms.co.uk/tvr-alarms.html it will come already wired to correct the error TVR made when fitting it the their cars.
The only wiring you may need to do is if you want the remote boot release but that is only one wire.
People complain about the alarm/immobiliser issues but forget they are all over 20 years old now. Meta are actually a good unit.
Steve
The only wiring you may need to do is if you want the remote boot release but that is only one wire.
People complain about the alarm/immobiliser issues but forget they are all over 20 years old now. Meta are actually a good unit.
Steve
The Meta system is a decent unit but I replaced my old one with a Sterling 1 Toad unit. As Steve says a new Meta is simply plug and play the Sterling is a simple enough installation for someone familiar with electrics but if you have to pay for labour it may not be cost effective.
The Toad system is a well engineered unit with much more substantial relays than the original Meta. At around £100 it is significantly less expensive than the Meta. By the addition of a simple relay, key fob boot opening is also available. If you can install it yourself the Toad option is to be recommended, several owners have fitted them but if you need professional installation then plug and play could be the preferred choice.
The Toad system is a well engineered unit with much more substantial relays than the original Meta. At around £100 it is significantly less expensive than the Meta. By the addition of a simple relay, key fob boot opening is also available. If you can install it yourself the Toad option is to be recommended, several owners have fitted them but if you need professional installation then plug and play could be the preferred choice.
Penelope Stopit said:
The problem with TVR factory alarms is that the majority of them are fitted in the same location and wired the same
The above does weaken the security by much
There is also too much information about them @ internet
If the job doesn't have to be done for insurance purposes, it's worth finding the best alarm manufacturer and fitting a good basic alarm with central locking if required
Immobilisers are often more trouble than they are worth, there are many ways to add immobilisation without relying on electronic boxes
I'm not sure the location of either the Meta alarm or the immobiliser is really much of an issue. To get to either isn't a five minute job. Unless someone has 'adjusted' the dash top to make it quick release.The above does weaken the security by much
There is also too much information about them @ internet
If the job doesn't have to be done for insurance purposes, it's worth finding the best alarm manufacturer and fitting a good basic alarm with central locking if required
Immobilisers are often more trouble than they are worth, there are many ways to add immobilisation without relying on electronic boxes
If it still has the standard bolts in the standard locations, you might be able to get to both the alarm and the immobiliser in half an hour if you're lucky. If you haven't had the dash top off before, it's an afternoon's job.
Steve_D said:
Or just buy a replacement Meta alarm and plug it in yourself. Bought from https://www.abacuscaralarms.co.uk/tvr-alarms.html it will come already wired to correct the error TVR made when fitting it the their cars.
The only wiring you may need to do is if you want the remote boot release but that is only one wire.
People complain about the alarm/immobiliser issues but forget they are all over 20 years old now. Meta are actually a good unit.
Steve
I did just this over last winter and went for the remote boot release. Very good service from Abacus Car Alarms, kit was very easy to fit. Remote also now works at a distance form the car, old one was not very good (and yes I did try new batteries!).The only wiring you may need to do is if you want the remote boot release but that is only one wire.
People complain about the alarm/immobiliser issues but forget they are all over 20 years old now. Meta are actually a good unit.
Steve
The following is known to all and sundry, no problem posting it here
Add-on immobilisers became a money making machine for all involved
Old add-on immobilisers are nothing other than a remote control switch
Fitting a hidden switch/switches that cut crank and ignition circuits do the exact same thing as old immobilisers do
Car thieves amongst millions of other people know all about the above,
It is harder to find hidden switches and their wiring at owner chosen locations than it is to find factory fitted immobilisers and their wiring at common locations
British authorities failed their people when Insurance companies and Thatcham were allowed to work together in creating a system that insisted vehicle owners had to have Thatcham approved old type immobilisers fitted to their vehicles
A hidden switch achieves exactly the same thing as a Thatcham approved old type immobiliser
Hard to believe yet it happened
More modern immobilisers use code to ECU technology and cant be easily hacked or linked out
Add-on immobilisers became a money making machine for all involved
Old add-on immobilisers are nothing other than a remote control switch
Fitting a hidden switch/switches that cut crank and ignition circuits do the exact same thing as old immobilisers do
Car thieves amongst millions of other people know all about the above,
It is harder to find hidden switches and their wiring at owner chosen locations than it is to find factory fitted immobilisers and their wiring at common locations
British authorities failed their people when Insurance companies and Thatcham were allowed to work together in creating a system that insisted vehicle owners had to have Thatcham approved old type immobilisers fitted to their vehicles
A hidden switch achieves exactly the same thing as a Thatcham approved old type immobiliser
Hard to believe yet it happened
More modern immobilisers use code to ECU technology and cant be easily hacked or linked out
How many TVR have been stolen in the last two decades. During my time of ownership one Griff got joy ridden and burnt out and I’ve not heard of any others in over a decade.
That’s not so say there have not been more and more of a problem going forward but the reputation such as it is with TVR most thieves wouldn’t feel comfortable stealing an unreliable car that probably won’t start immobilised or not anyway
That’s not so say there have not been more and more of a problem going forward but the reputation such as it is with TVR most thieves wouldn’t feel comfortable stealing an unreliable car that probably won’t start immobilised or not anyway
Classic Chim said:
How many TVR have been stolen in the last two decades. During my time of ownership one Griff got joy ridden and burnt out and I’ve not heard of any others in over a decade. That’s not so say there have not been more and more of a problem going forward but the reputation such as it is with TVR most thieves wouldn’t feel comfortable stealing an unreliable car that probably won’t start immobilised or not anyway
+1The local TVR garage told me that they have never heard of a TVR being stolen. Far more lucrative cars out there for the miscreants.
Yet another misleading post from the non owner stopit. Why he lurks on a Forum for cars he does not own is a mystery perhaps he is hoping to pick up crumbs of thanks from unaware owners for his cut and pastes. He really cannot have much in his life, poor fellow!
Loubaruch said:
Classic Chim said:
How many TVR have been stolen in the last two decades. During my time of ownership one Griff got joy ridden and burnt out and I’ve not heard of any others in over a decade. That’s not so say there have not been more and more of a problem going forward but the reputation such as it is with TVR most thieves wouldn’t feel comfortable stealing an unreliable car that probably won’t start immobilised or not anyway
+1The local TVR garage told me that they have never heard of a TVR being stolen. Far more lucrative cars out there for the miscreants.
Yet another misleading post from the non owner stopit. Why he lurks on a Forum for cars he does not own is a mystery perhaps he is hoping to pick up crumbs of thanks from unaware owners for his cut and pastes. He really cannot have much in his life, poor fellow!
Yet
You haven't even bothered to check something of yours that shares a circuit with the whole wide world
Think about it
Loubaruch said:
+1
The local TVR garage told me that they have never heard of a TVR being stolen. Far more lucrative cars out there for the miscreants.
Yet another misleading post from the non owner stopit. Why he lurks on a Forum for cars he does not own is a mystery perhaps he is hoping to pick up crumbs of thanks from unaware owners for his cut and pastes. He really cannot have much in his life, poor fellow!
Agreed. It’s a bloody joke because someone might have bought the Chinese Alto he cheakily tried to post up after the well known well proven Guru in Phil posts. He’s annoying a lot of people and thinks it’s clever. The local TVR garage told me that they have never heard of a TVR being stolen. Far more lucrative cars out there for the miscreants.
Yet another misleading post from the non owner stopit. Why he lurks on a Forum for cars he does not own is a mystery perhaps he is hoping to pick up crumbs of thanks from unaware owners for his cut and pastes. He really cannot have much in his life, poor fellow!
As for your site I’ve had that saved for a good 10 years maybe and very helpful its proved to be on a number of occasions.
This chap posts bad advice mostly. Maybe we should start a thread warning of such masqueraders,
I wish he would buy a Tvr so he can stop posting and start fixing as he won’t have time to come on here wasting everyone’s time. Never ever trust your TVR with anyone other than an experienced Tvr mechanic so you’d never trust someone who is nameless and faceless on here unless he’s going to turn up at the next big TVR gathering so we can all say hello!
Edited by Classic Chim on Saturday 12th June 18:29
Classic Chim said:
Agreed. It’s a bloody joke because someone might have bought the Chinese Alto he cheakily tried to post up after the well known well proven Guru in Phil posts. He’s annoying a lot of people and thinks it’s clever.
As for your site I’ve had that saved for a good 10 years maybe and very helpful its proved to be on a number of occasions.
This chap posts bad advice mostly. Maybe we should start a thread warning of such masqueraders,
I wish he would buy a Tvr so he can stop posting and start fixing as he won’t have time to come on here wasting everyone’s time. Never ever trust your TVR with anyone other than an experienced Tvr mechanic so you’d never trust someone who is nameless and faceless on here unless he’s going to turn up at the next big TVR gathering so we can all say hello!
You've now been added to my blocked users scriptAs for your site I’ve had that saved for a good 10 years maybe and very helpful its proved to be on a number of occasions.
This chap posts bad advice mostly. Maybe we should start a thread warning of such masqueraders,
I wish he would buy a Tvr so he can stop posting and start fixing as he won’t have time to come on here wasting everyone’s time. Never ever trust your TVR with anyone other than an experienced Tvr mechanic so you’d never trust someone who is nameless and faceless on here unless he’s going to turn up at the next big TVR gathering so we can all say hello!
Cheers
Loubaruch said:
+1
The local TVR garage told me that they have never heard of a TVR being stolen. Far more lucrative cars out there for the miscreants.
Yet another misleading post from the non owner stopit. Why he lurks on a Forum for cars he does not own is a mystery perhaps he is hoping to pick up crumbs of thanks from unaware owners for his cut and pastes. He really cannot have much in his life, poor fellow!
Although I don't use the report button you've been reported for continually posting abuse in my directionThe local TVR garage told me that they have never heard of a TVR being stolen. Far more lucrative cars out there for the miscreants.
Yet another misleading post from the non owner stopit. Why he lurks on a Forum for cars he does not own is a mystery perhaps he is hoping to pick up crumbs of thanks from unaware owners for his cut and pastes. He really cannot have much in his life, poor fellow!
Your posts to me are never on topic
It is known throughout the TVR forums that I am a genius in solving electrical problems
Having gained a much respected reputation here I am not going to allow evil people such as yourself to attempt to blacken my reputation
The lies you post about me are cringeworthy
Penelope Stopit said:
Although I don't use the report button you've been reported for continually posting abuse in my direction
Your posts to me are never on topic
It is known throughout the TVR forums that I am a genius in solving electrical problems
Having gained a much respected reputation here I am not going to allow evil people such as yourself to attempt to blacken my reputation
The lies you post about me are cringeworthy
That’s very funny I must say. Cracked me up anyway. Your posts to me are never on topic
It is known throughout the TVR forums that I am a genius in solving electrical problems
Having gained a much respected reputation here I am not going to allow evil people such as yourself to attempt to blacken my reputation
The lies you post about me are cringeworthy
Pen, why don’t you start a thread introducing yourself to the community so we can get to know who and what your credentials are as you are not known physically to any of us and your profile offers even less info. Maybe a link to your auto electrical company so we can critique your business from a lap top miles away,
There are probably less than 500 Tvr on the road at any given time, it’s been years since I looked and only 1000 or so Chims registered for the road at that time, not all of those actually leave the comfort of a warm garage so it’s an extremely small community.
We have a few well respected dealers who know what relays to fit.
We also have many people who offer there advice on here who are known to be hands on guru with Tvr. They know there stuff and we value them hugely for this free advice.
So in summery we trust very few people in the uk to work on our cars so your rather faceless image on here does you no favours.
We all post drivel now and then, I’ve observed things then written my thoughts on it but happy to be corrected by more experienced people who we know and trust. When you start waffling about millions of people knowing about our alarm system failings or where it’s housed and how that is a Tvr failing is nonsense isn’t it!
Leave your alarm alone, after market alarms go out of business then your f
ked. Abacus Alarms are the go too company with a really helpfull chap who answers the phone and can sort 80% of meta problems out on said phone as when they fail it’s either connection or mostly component faults.
The damned alarms are one of the more reliable aspects of the car if you actually think about it.
What experience of TVR repair work do you have.
The pain it takes only truly hardcore men stick it.
I’d like to know who the bloke with the respected reputation is please.
That would help wouldn’t it or do I take it you are a genius who is going to save everyone with your posts that often actually mislead people.
We just want advice from people we know to have the practical knowledge, get my drift.
By your own admission you are obsessed with relays.
Electrics are cool but a switch is a switch what’s the big deal.
We have more things to work on owning a Tvr than just a few electrics.
It might be great if you could put your genius to good work and study the later T cats more complicated electrics and help then guys out.
Nothing about the old cars require your genius unless you can repair speedo’s
Have a nice day sir.
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