Immobiliser or me??
Discussion
Afternoon all,
So, had the new car for two days now and it's all I hoped it would be and more.....but we ended being stranded for 2 hours today due to what I think must have been immobiliser based.
I don't know what type of alarm etc it has, but it looks original. With the ignition key came a key fob with one button on it, and a USB flash drive looking thing that I gather can go into a slot behind the ignition slot.
Got back to the car, unlocked it, key in, depress fob to prime fuel pump (as advised) and start. Engine turned over for 2-3 seconds then died. Tried locking and unlocking the car and going through same routine but still no joy. Fob then started not priming the pump (no noise at least) so called AA. 2 hours of waiting without them turning up still, we tried a load of things again including hitting the central locking button on the dash and finally it started and stayed started.
Very puzzled, but can anyone advise as to what I've done wrong here? Did I get the whole system confused/out of sync?
No instructions, so help would be much appreciated. Did feel like a bit of an idiot, and I'm no technical mind at all.
Thanks,
So, had the new car for two days now and it's all I hoped it would be and more.....but we ended being stranded for 2 hours today due to what I think must have been immobiliser based.
I don't know what type of alarm etc it has, but it looks original. With the ignition key came a key fob with one button on it, and a USB flash drive looking thing that I gather can go into a slot behind the ignition slot.
Got back to the car, unlocked it, key in, depress fob to prime fuel pump (as advised) and start. Engine turned over for 2-3 seconds then died. Tried locking and unlocking the car and going through same routine but still no joy. Fob then started not priming the pump (no noise at least) so called AA. 2 hours of waiting without them turning up still, we tried a load of things again including hitting the central locking button on the dash and finally it started and stayed started.
Very puzzled, but can anyone advise as to what I've done wrong here? Did I get the whole system confused/out of sync?
No instructions, so help would be much appreciated. Did feel like a bit of an idiot, and I'm no technical mind at all.
Thanks,
Sounds from your description as if it is the original Meta system. Operating instructions are available from
Abacus
It sounds as if the immobiliser switched off because you say it cranked and fired up for a couple of seconds. Normally the immobiliser will cut out the starter and fuel circuits.
Abacus
It sounds as if the immobiliser switched off because you say it cranked and fired up for a couple of seconds. Normally the immobiliser will cut out the starter and fuel circuits.
Edited by Mr Jenks on Sunday 7th July 19:19
Sorry, I'm not technical at all so not sure what sound the relays make - but the fuel pump whine isn't happening now, although car is unlocking etc.
When I picked up the car, and the first day I used it, I would insert key so that ignition was on, depress button on key fob and fuel pump would prime.
This afternoon (when car wasn't starting) the pump would prime when turning the key rather than hitting the fob button.
This evening, having got the car home earlier (not sure how I got it started given what's happened since), pump primed and engine started for a second then died.
So having only had the car 72 hours, and not been advised of similar problems from previous owner, my concern is that I'm just doing (or not) something very simple to affect it. So it's on the drive and I'm puzzled!
Sorry, I can imagine newbies with probably simple problems might get a bit tedious.
If anyone has the basic walk through procedure for the meta alarm system, so that I know I'm not going nuts, that might be useful.
Thanks in advance.
When I picked up the car, and the first day I used it, I would insert key so that ignition was on, depress button on key fob and fuel pump would prime.
This afternoon (when car wasn't starting) the pump would prime when turning the key rather than hitting the fob button.
This evening, having got the car home earlier (not sure how I got it started given what's happened since), pump primed and engine started for a second then died.
So having only had the car 72 hours, and not been advised of similar problems from previous owner, my concern is that I'm just doing (or not) something very simple to affect it. So it's on the drive and I'm puzzled!
Sorry, I can imagine newbies with probably simple problems might get a bit tedious.
If anyone has the basic walk through procedure for the meta alarm system, so that I know I'm not going nuts, that might be useful.
Thanks in advance.
The original Meta system as fitted to many TVRs had both the key fob and the flash drive lookalike.
The flash drive thing when inserted into the slot by the steering column will activate/de activate the immobiliser only. It does not affect the alarm.
The meta alarm is controlled from the key fob but the meta alarm also links electrically to the immobiliser so that normally you only need to use the key fob. Presumably TVR thought that if the alarm failed you could still have the immobiliser function.
When you initially open the doors using the key fob this also de activates the immobiliser but by the time you have got seated etc. the immobiliser has usually reset so when turning on the ignition the car fails to start. You need to blip the key fob again and you should hear the fuel pump give a short prime and then stop. If you then turn the ignition key to start the engine it should roar into life. Perhaps you are blipping the fob twice and resetting the immobiliser.
The Meta immobiliser isolates 3 circuits: The fuel pump, the ignition module and the starter motor If you cannot turn the engine over then the immobiliser has activated.
There are two metal cased relays in the footwell that provide power to both the ECU ( Electronic Control Unit) and the fuel pump , the latter being controlled by the immobiliser. These two relays are notorious for failing and/or going intermittent thats why the post above asks you to check them.
If you do investigate the wiring in the passenger footwell ( by removing the vertical carpet piece) be prepared for a shock, its a real mess! But dont be alarmed they are all ( well unless modified) like that.
I hope this makes sense.
The flash drive thing when inserted into the slot by the steering column will activate/de activate the immobiliser only. It does not affect the alarm.
The meta alarm is controlled from the key fob but the meta alarm also links electrically to the immobiliser so that normally you only need to use the key fob. Presumably TVR thought that if the alarm failed you could still have the immobiliser function.
When you initially open the doors using the key fob this also de activates the immobiliser but by the time you have got seated etc. the immobiliser has usually reset so when turning on the ignition the car fails to start. You need to blip the key fob again and you should hear the fuel pump give a short prime and then stop. If you then turn the ignition key to start the engine it should roar into life. Perhaps you are blipping the fob twice and resetting the immobiliser.
The Meta immobiliser isolates 3 circuits: The fuel pump, the ignition module and the starter motor If you cannot turn the engine over then the immobiliser has activated.
There are two metal cased relays in the footwell that provide power to both the ECU ( Electronic Control Unit) and the fuel pump , the latter being controlled by the immobiliser. These two relays are notorious for failing and/or going intermittent thats why the post above asks you to check them.
If you do investigate the wiring in the passenger footwell ( by removing the vertical carpet piece) be prepared for a shock, its a real mess! But dont be alarmed they are all ( well unless modified) like that.
I hope this makes sense.
Edited by Loubaruch on Monday 8th July 00:18
I'm based in Winchester - been on the phone to Carl Baker for an hour and he was excellent and very patient. Talked me through the whole thing, and it turns out to be the fuel and run relays (think that's what he called them) and so far swapping them around has worked. Ordered two new ones this morning as advised until I can get a slot for him to have a proper look with a view to updating the system.
Thanks all for your help and comments.
Thanks all for your help and comments.
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