Very frustrating day. Immobiliser issues
Very frustrating day. Immobiliser issues
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Discussion

TJC46

Original Poster:

2,184 posts

223 months

Friday 3rd June 2022
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Hi guys

Came to start the car a few months back and nothing, car would not crank and could not hear the fuel pump prime.
I had the battery on a trickle charger and for the first time ever the light remained red on the charger, where normally it goes green after a period of time.
Posted on here my problem, and although would seem like immobiliser issues, the voltage at the battery was only just over 12 so i replaced the battery with a new one.
Key in the ignition pressed the fob, fuel pump primed and the car started. Problem sorted so i thought.
Now some 4 months later as the car has been in my garage on axle stands while i was doing a few jobs. New valley gasket, plugs, rocker gaskets, PAS overhaul including new seals, etc , etc.
I finally tried to fire her up and nothing, no pump prime and no cranking. Took the 4 month previously replaced battery out, gave it a top up charge over night and refitted. Turn the key press the fob, pump primes and the car starts.
Took it out for a shake down spin and stopped at the garage to refuel. Came back to the car and nothing, no crank, no pump prime, so it must be immobiliser issues. Disconnected the battery and reconnected still no change.
Had to tow the car home, so it must be the immobiliser.
Can i swop it out for a new one, or is it best to just bypass it.
I DO NOT WANT ANOTHER DAY LIKE TODAY.
Can someone please email me with instructions on how to bypass the immobiliser.
If i do will the fob still arm the alarm on the car and lock the doors etc.

Belle427

10,810 posts

250 months

Friday 3rd June 2022
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If you don't really leave the car anywhere apart from home I'd be inclined to leave it bypassed.
Maybe check the implications on the insurance.
What year car are we talking?

Steve_D

13,799 posts

275 months

Friday 3rd June 2022
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PM me for info.
But I'm not convinced it is the immobiliser. It may well be that both your charger and alternator may be ganging up on you.
However, bypassing the immobiliser may well be a good first diagnostic check.
Yes alarm and locking will still work.

Steve

QBee

21,806 posts

161 months

Saturday 4th June 2022
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Let us know if it starts this morning.

Not restarting at the petrol station was a favourite trick of mine when I first had it, and was the hot start issue.
Waiting 15 minutes usually solved it, so much so that I used to take a book with me to read while I waited, in case it happened.
Never had it since - I got Carl Baker to replace the whole Meta system after i started having other issues.

TJC46

Original Poster:

2,184 posts

223 months

Saturday 4th June 2022
quotequote all
Just been into the garage turned the key pressed the fob, ......pump primes and the car starts....agh....so frustrating.

For anyone trying to diagnose this, it is not a hot start problem.
Car has been perfect for years and i kept in on a trickle charger through the winter. Jan/Feb of this year went into the garage and noticed the trickle charger light was red when its usually green.
Disconnected it and tried to start the car and nothing no crank no pump prime nothing.Checked the voltage at the battery and just under 12 volts so new battery time.
Fitted a new battery and the car started as it should. I have been doing work up until this weekend, so i went to start the car, first time since Feb and nothing no crank, no pump prime.
Took the new battery out tested it and was showing 12.8 volts. Popped it on charge over night, next morning showing 13.5 so i refitted it. Car started first time.
Went out for a shake down spin, to establish all my work was good and stopped for petrol. Car then refused to do anything, no crank, no pump prime nothing.
Left it as is phoned for a lift and returned an hour later, car was still the same. Disconnected and reconnected the battery, still no start.
Went home again and arranged a tow, so by now the car has been stood for almost 3 hours.Still no start.
Towed the car home and left it in the garage over night. Went to it just now and it starts every time.

Belle427

10,810 posts

250 months

Saturday 4th June 2022
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Does sound like immobiliser to me, to be so hit and miss.
Bypassing it will help rule it out as its easily reversed.

SMB

1,523 posts

283 months

Saturday 4th June 2022
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I’ve just replaced the alarm and immobiliser in my Griffith after similar issues. Car would just stop when running at first, but would restart if alarm was reset, this would happen once in 30-50 miles, then it occurred more often and finally the immobiliser refused to reset until 30 mins had passed. Car passed all usual drags when the alarm was working so difficult to pinpoint until the final occurrence. Alarm wouldn’t reset, car was effectively dead, until a magical change. As called but iit started on its own and got me home. After that the old alarm and immobiliser was replaced immediately 8 months later all been fine since ( touch wood)

TJC46

Original Poster:

2,184 posts

223 months

Saturday 4th June 2022
quotequote all
Car has been in the garage all day. It started this morning then 1 hour later nothing. Just tried again now and nothing. Set and unset the alarm this morning and it started. Just tried that again and nothing. Going to bypass the immobiliser tomorrow and see what happens

TJC46

Original Poster:

2,184 posts

223 months

Monday 6th June 2022
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Bypassed the immobiliser tonight and it started first time.

Retried quite a few times over the past hour and starts every time.

So now i know its the immobiliser what are my options. Can you swap out the immobiliser or do you have to swap out the whole system.

Anyone done something different ? Alarm and fobs all working just no immobiliser.

mk1fan

10,784 posts

242 months

Monday 6th June 2022
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Carl Baker or there is a company that offers the same services. Can't remember their name.

TVR Stef

61 posts

183 months

Monday 6th June 2022
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I replaced mine with one from Abacus Alarms, excellent service and was a direct swap.

Belle427

10,810 posts

250 months

Monday 6th June 2022
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mk1fan

10,784 posts

242 months

Tuesday 7th June 2022
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HF Solutions was the one I was [vaguely] recalling. Abacus is positively mentioned too.

QBee

21,806 posts

161 months

Tuesday 7th June 2022
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HF get very good reports from TVR owners

blaze_away

1,617 posts

230 months

Tuesday 7th June 2022
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I will be over at classichimi's soon as he has an electrical gremlin, could be same as here or battery,wiring or even a mouse issue.

Could one of you kind folks enlighten me on how to bypass the immoliser pleasr ?

Classic Chim

12,424 posts

166 months

Tuesday 7th June 2022
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blaze_away said:
I will be over at classichimi's soon as he has an electrical gremlin, could be same as here or battery,wiring or even a mouse issue.

Could one of you kind folks enlighten me on how to bypass the immoliser pleasr ?
Haha, nice one. I’ve already contacted Steve and he sent me a nice picture Frank. wink I’ve send you a message to phone Frank.
Oh and thanks Steve bow

Edited by Classic Chim on Tuesday 7th June 17:11