Fob Problems

[Woody_450]

Hi

I'm having a spot of trouble with my fobs on the Chimaera. It's very hit and miss, well more miss, that it will actually open the car at all.

I've tried new batteries, no help.

I'm just wondering what to try next, get the fobs tested (if possible)? get the fobs recoded? get a new fob coded? a new alarm?

Anybody got any advise? It pretty much makes the car unusable, not been able to open or lock it!!!

Thanks
Rich

[SwanJack]

Mines a square(ish) meta fob that uses two batteries. The electrical contact in it can be a bit hit and miss. Shaking the fob a bit to get a better contact seems to work. The button on the fob is also a bit dodgey. Try taking the fob's 'innards' out of the plastic casing and push the little button on the electronic control board to see if it works with every press. At least that way you'll find out if its the casing or the electronics at fault. Also hold the fob over the passenger side of the windscreen as this is were the alarm's reciever is located.

[Woody_450]

SwanJack said:

Mines a square(ish) meta fob that uses two batteries. The electrical contact in it can be a bit hit and miss. Shaking the fob a bit to get a better contact seems to work. The button on the fob is also a bit dodgey. Try taking the fob's 'innards' out of the plastic casing and push the little button on the electronic control board to see if it works with every press. At least that way you'll find out if its the casing or the electronics at fault. Also hold the fob over the passenger side of the windscreen as this is were the alarm's reciever is located.

I've tried removing the innards and aiming it at the receiver, it's looking more and more that it's going to cost me

Thanks anyhow
Rich

[Bob Falfa]

My fob's the same - bit hit and miss. But the alarm keeps going off all on its own for no reason. So either the alarm fairy's ill (sorry - been watching too much Hoggfather this Xmas)or I need a new alarm system.

[chim666]

Bob Falfa said:

... the alarm keeps going off all on its own for no reason.

Is it just the siren sounding or do the indicator lights flash as well?
If the lights don't flash when it goes off, you've probably got a duff siren (particularly if it's a Meta system) usually as a result of water ingress into the siren (a common fault this time of year). Get a new 'un (£60 or so) and try to fit it so it points downwards.

Edited by chim666 on Saturday 13th January 10:31

[Paulathome]

Woody, you can get a replacement fob and program it to the alarm. (about 50 quid)
However to do this you need a good working fob to put the alarm into its new fob learning mode.
Sounds like you need to talk to Carl Baker who's the god of all things Meta.
Just had mine done. Had similar problems to you and managed to replace the tiny switch
on the PCB inside the fob. It worked fine for a month or so then stopped all together.
So I spoke to Carl and sent the alarm module to him via registered post and it was returned
two days later with two new fobs.
Well chuffed with the results.
Cheers
Paul.

[BoyzToyz]

I agree, Carl baker is your man. I had an intermittent problem with boot opening (which could be frustrating at petrol stations) and also a weak button on the fob...Carl sorted me out. I decided to go the whole hog and have a seperate remote control for the boot and the fobs converted to key fobs (meant overwriting the meta alarm)...I have not looked back.

[Red V8]

Paulathome said:

Woody, you can get a replacement fob and program it to the alarm. (about 50 quid)
However to do this you need a good working fob to put the alarm into its new fob learning mode.
Sounds like you need to talk to Carl Baker who's the god of all things Meta.
Just had mine done. Had similar problems to you and managed to replace the tiny switch
on the PCB inside the fob. It worked fine for a month or so then stopped all together.
So I spoke to Carl and sent the alarm module to him via registered post and it was returned
two days later with two new fobs.
Well chuffed with the results.
Cheers
Paul.

Paul, I'm down to 1 fob for mine and tried to get another (after requesting alarm code from TVR factory) but it wouldn't program in.. common apparently. I've spoken to Carl and he suggested I send the alarm unit to him... which is what I plan to do... Just wondered how easy is it to take out?

[paulathome]

The Alarm module is dead easy to take out.
It is mounted under the dash on the passenger side so you need to take the dash top off first.
It is a small box about five inches by four inches square and about an inch and half deep. On my car it was just loose on the inner dash top, but some have a little velcro strip holding it down. Mine also had a red label that said Meta on it.
From memory there are 5 plugs in the back which should just pull out, dont forget to press the release tabs on them first.
Thats basically it, and the car should still run although you will not be able to lock it.
I sent mine to Carl registered post and he received it the next day, he reprogrammed it and sent it back the same day.
You will also need to send him a cheque as he doesn't take credit or bank cards.
Hope this helps and good luck.
Cheers
Paul

[Red V8]

Paul, many thanks

[symphonysid]

i've also used carl - he did the key fob conversion for me - can't fault the service - even let me sit in the house, drink coffee and work on his wireless network while he busied himself with the car! top, top bloke!

[Woody_450]

Spoke to Carl yesterday morning, alarm unit has been sent down to Stroud this afternoon.

I'm hopefully getting two new fobs coded to the unit

Should be all sorted next week

Rich

[Woody_450]

Got the alarm unit back this morning, with two shiny new fobs. Spent a few minutes after work fitting it back under the dash and job done.

I can even use the fobs more than 1 cm away from the car window!!! (More like a few meters)

Can't compliment Carl enough, top job!

Rich

[mike22002]

Anybody have contact details for Carl? cant lock my car anymore and only have the one remote

[Cider Andy]

His website

[mike22002]

Thanks Andy