Sunshine & Dead Chimaera

[redders123]

The suns shining at its best and I 'd love to hear my Chim roar,but its dead dead as a parrot ! Car opens Ignition on ,what no fuel pump buzz,it must be the relays I thought so as I always carry spare and Ian at torque RVT replaced what were serviceable ones at last service so switched over these and still no run up of the fuel pump. Ok I think is the battery sufficiently charged so left on charger all day. Still no good Then I notice that the LED by my immobiliser key,the one located below the ignition is not flashing at all. If my fuel pump had failed surely I would spin the engine on the starter so now I wonder is my immobiliser goosed ??? Car has been laid up for last 3 weeks, any help or advice greatly appreciated, it a 97 P 4.0 with a Meta system by the way.

[QBee]

First suspect is the immobiliser. Or the mystery detachment of a battery terminal.

[Sardonicus]

Check the alarm fuse/s

[redders123]

Yes I did the 5 second battery detachment to reset the alarm system, being upside down in the footwell in this heat is no fun, add to that the car is parked alongside my house and the passenger side up against the house oh joy of joys - will check fuses as soon as I can get help to push- Thanks so far

[s p a c e m a n]

give the underneath of the dash on the passenger side a clump?

[redders123]

spaceman I have done that several times with my head now and still no good - car now moved to be more accessible fuses checked and accordingly on return of the fuse to the alarm circuit the alarm went off so that side works but still the immobiliser problem. To prove I'm genuine I've put upa pic of the current situation on my profile,if anybody has any idea to get around the immobiliser please email me at [e-mail] as I would not want that on a general info board - Failing that its a call to LLoyds TSB to upgrade my bank account to include AA homestart and recovery and a visit to Ian at RVTtorque or Christopher Neil if they still work on Tiv's on a low loader.

[TVRJAS]

redders123 said:

spaceman I have done that several times with my head now and still no good - car now moved to be more accessible fuses checked and accordingly on return of the fuse to the alarm circuit the alarm went off so that side works but still the immobiliser problem. To prove I'm genuine I've put upa pic of the current situation on my profile,if anybody has any idea to get around the immobiliser please email me at [e-mail] as I would not want that on a general info board - Failing that its a call to LLoyds TSB to upgrade my bank account to include AA homestart and recovery and a visit to Ian at RVTtorque or Christopher Neil if they still work on Tiv's on a low loader.

Have you tried putting the keys in the ignition to full position then pressing the alarm fob for 3-4 secs?

[redders123]

Yes Jas thanks for the suggestion but thats normal for thsi car that you have to hold for a few seconds on the fob,more worrying is that the LED is no lighting at all on the steering column

[TVRJAS]

redders123 said:

Yes Jas thanks for the suggestion but thats normal for thsi car that you have to hold for a few seconds on the fob,more worrying is that the LED is no lighting at all on the steering column

Sometimes the obvious is over looked ... Sorry I can't help any further redders... Hope your back in the sunshine soon.... Good luck

ps is it a Meta?... And have tried the key to disarm the whole thing?

Edited by TVRJAS on Sunday 7th July 23:30

[redders123]

Key to disarm the whole thing??? to my knowledge does not exist. Do you mean the back up on the steering column with the LED on which as I said is not flashing at all with the alarm active ? Yes it is a Meta system

[TVRJAS]

redders123 said:

Key to disarm the whole thing??? to my knowledge does not exist. Do you mean the back up on the steering column with the LED on which as I said is not flashing at all with the alarm active ?

If it is a meta... mine is a M99?36T2 you have a black key that fits in to the slot that disarms for 40secs.

When you say the red LED is not flashing at least this is good news ( It means your probs are the alarm)

Again if yours is a Meta? google meta and the code there is a much better explanation on there than is in the manual that came with mine.

[redders123]

TVRJAS said:

If it is a meta... mine is a M99?36T2 you have a black key that fits in to the slot that disarms for 40secs.

When you say the red LED is not flashing at least this is good news ( It means your probs are the alarm)

Again if yours is a Meta? google meta and the code there is a much better explanation on there than is in the manual that came with mine.

Yes I think its an M99 ( I have had the dash top off before now) The red Led is not flashing on the slot that the black oblong key fits into when the alarm is both armed and disarmed,normally once armed this LED also flashes as a repeater to the LED in the centre console.

Seems to be just instructional http://www.metasystem.co.uk/index.php/msy_eng_en/c...

Thanks to everyone who has helped so far by the way !

[redders123]

Oh Bugger I found this

Alarm disarms but car will not start:

If the battery has been disconnected for long periods of time can cause the immobiliser to fail, usually indicated by the LED found on the touchkey receptacle not flashing, if the immobilser fails to recognise the touchkey this is a sign the immobiliser has failed.

Look here http://www.abacuscaralarms.co.uk/tvr-alarms.html

[TVRJAS]

redders123 said:

Yes I think its an M99 ( I have had the dash top off before now) The red Led is not flashing on the slot that the black oblong key fits into when the alarm is both armed and disarmed,normally once armed this LED also flashes as a repeater to the LED in the centre console.

Seems to be just instructional http://www.metasystem.co.uk/index.php/msy_eng_en/c...

Thanks to everyone who has helped so far by the way !

Ok we are at least talking the same system..... Sorry I cant help any further Redders... I have been out to my car several times and at least you helped me.... just noticed my drivers side indicator bulb is't working Bet you would swap your problems to my bulb not working.... You missed a good day but plenty more coming ... Give Meta a call in the morning is the next thing to do.. Good luck again kind regards jason

[redders123]

Jason yes indeed I'd do that swap... Just looking at replace ment systems

http://abacuscaralarms.co.uk/alarmshop/index.php?a...

Thanks for your help !

[s p a c e m a n]

Incase you haven't figured it out yet the m99 box on top of your dash isn't your immobiliser, its a seperate box located somewhere else. The box you're looking at is just the alarm side of the system and internet rumour has told me that you have to replace the pair of boxes as they are coded to each other.

It's just a '90s spec thatcham system so you could go low tech and start it like the joyriding scrotes of the era used to, that would enable you to get the car to an alarm place to either get it fixed or replaced.

[redders123]

Yes you are right, from my searches all parts are digitally coded to each other and the M99 is only the alarm not the immobiliser that is the M36 and they are coded together and to things such as the siren and microwave sensors in the car digitally. I had a chat with Ian at RVTtorque this morning and he can disable the immobiliser part of the system probably in the way you describe,but of course thats not a long term answer to it. Going to pop the top of the dash off tonight and have a poke around and will update on here with progress and hopefully some photos too

[Barreti]

As you're considering Abacus I can give you a positive recommendation.

I bought a Selca to Meta conversion kit from them and it had everything I needed in the kit - including insulating tape and cable ties, and probably the most complete set of instructions I've seen.

And a fantastic fast service to boot.

A definite from me.

[TVRJAS]

redders123 said:

Yes you are right, from my searches all parts are digitally coded to each other and the M99 is only the alarm not the immobiliser that is the M36 and they are coded together and to things such as the siren and microwave sensors in the car digitally. I had a chat with Ian at RVTtorque this morning and he can disable the immobiliser part of the system probably in the way you describe,but of course thats not a long term answer to it. Going to pop the top of the dash off tonight and have a poke around and will update on here with progress and hopefully some photos too

I was hoping to see a picture of you blasting around with the roof off, rather than still reading about your problems

Sounds like your close though... Took notes from spaceman myself for future references

[redders123]

Nope not getting my head sunburnt today. Have been to RVT for a chat with Ian - still very busy there by the way. He confirmed Immobiliser failure and that the car has to visit him. No worry there I'm sure it will be reasonable he quoted £90 to disable it but as i said thats not the long term answer and I can fit a replacement from abacus later on. So with the resolution thats its going in to him because the bristish summertime rarely lasts more than a week I decided to give it a wash and a coat of admiration.New profile pic.

Thanks for all the advice chaps and I will keep updating here, by the way I am new to Pistonheads but not to TVR I've had this one since 1999 and so have had many highs and lows along the way. It originally came from Newtown motors,and has been maintained by me,Christopher Neil and RVTtorque.