I'm immobilised - help!

[Deeman]

Got the standard magnetic type immobiliser as fitted to many/most. Now red light won't activate at all, no matter how many times I put deactivator device to it!! No power to clock nothing. Even though 12.6V at battery. Anyone got any experience with these and how to resolve?

[Top Gear TVR]

try and find the unit - they are often screwed up behind the dash or ecu.....

can it be bypassed?

[Deeman]

Struggling here somewhat. Issue Started after coming back from holiday (no trickle charge for two weeks)- looked at battery and given its 2007 - thought i'd buy a new one. Seems to have caused a real issue with immobiliser however - no power to red led even, or clock, even though battery showing 12+ volts......electric window down too - not good for overnight on drive....Had a root around for unit under dash, can't find it. Do I need to reset anything?

[Smokey Boyer]

it it helps, I found bits of old car alarm / immobiliser stuck to the inside of the centre console between the gear leaver and the bits bin. There was also some bits amongst the collection of wires and boxes above the passenger footwell and behind the glove box.

[v8s4me]

Try behind the dash near the base of the heater (driver's side). Have you checked the battery in your fob?

[Deeman]

Thanks Joe - will have a look tomorrow now. Managed to persuade the missus to help me push it up drive (in her flip flops!) and into garage - at least its safe and dry for now. Now got a bit of apologising to do.....Will have another go tomorrow. Likely coming back here for help!

[The Big G]

I should have a cover hiding in the garage that should fit if your struggling to make.it water tight. Unfortunately I know nothing about imobilisers so can't help with that part! I shouldn't be too far away either.

[Deeman]

Hi Gordon - very generous offer, thankyou. As per previous post, at least I've managed to get it safe & Secure tonight. Really appreciate the offer. Pete

[tubbystu]

If the battery has gone flat whilst you were away, and has been now changed does the system perhaps need to be reset and keys re-learnt ?

Its a Cobra product from memory.

Google provides the following from the manual for the 8510, which looks like the jobbie.



which might help........... It can't make it any worse.

The only time I had a flat battery I had it jump started, good old AA in LHR carpark, so didn't remove the battery breaking the circuit whilst flat. IYGMD.

HTH

[Deeman]

Cheers Stuart. Will give it a go in the morning - as you say, its worth it as it can't make it worse! I will report back. Other than this, she's going well mate - very well. Should get interior and roof done soon. Hope things are good with you. Pete

[The Big G]

Deeman said:

Hi Gordon - very generous offer, thankyou. As per previous post, at least I've managed to get it safe & Secure tonight. Really appreciate the offer. Pete

No worries, think I posted at the same time as your reply! Even if it's not going to rain it's never good not to leave it open to the elements.

At least the imobiliser is doing it's job, unfortunately just a bit too well!

[Deeman]

Problem traced back to a crappy earthing strap in boot. The act of moving the battery to replace it with the new one simply bent the rusty crustage in the braided strap to the point where no power would pass through - or at least intermittently, hence the array of weird goings on with the immobiliser. I freely admit to being a "wendy" and called the AA today as I thought I'd probably knacker something more important by my continued tinkering. He didn't think it would be the immobiliser as he knew Cobra systems and said they rarely lock up for such a thing and if it had the symptoms would be very different. Fed power via his van direct to alternator to determine where break in conductivity was - all dashboard came alive to confirm problem in boot behind wheel arch.

I know a lot of problems with our P & Js are earthing/rusty wire related issues, and this is no exception to that rule - I also hate admitting defeat, but ultimately saved a lot of time by doing so!

Now off to Motor Factors to get a shielded earth for the front too, as that a rusty old braided item too!!

[tubbystu]

Glad you got it sorted and it was something relatively painless.

[SteveOS3]

Glad to hear all is sorted now.

On a similar note, I lost one of my immobiliser fobs along with the ignition key about two months ago. I have a spare fob and key so no immediate worries. However, I bought a new Cobra immobiliser that had two keys supplied and intended to fit it over the winter but having seen the post above about resetting the keys I wonder if it's possible to sync' these keys to the existing unit using the instructions. Any thoughts?

Cheers,

Steve

[Deeman]

Hi Steve - I can't answer your question i'm afraid. If its the same manufacturer and model (CObra) then possibly. I would suggest better to play safe however and install the new system.

[SteveOS3]

I was planning on playing safe and installing the new one but the idea of not having to fiddle with TVR electrics was very tempting

Steve