Interference issue with immobiliser.
Discussion
This Sunday, just gone, used my 1969 Mercedes 280SL for a couple of shows in the morning clocking up 60 miles with no issues. I decided to head north up the M1 to MFN night from Leicester at about 4.30pm. Weather ok, maybe a shower threatening, driving in second lane, just passing Leicester Forest East Services when the car loses all power and coasts to the hard shoulder.
That’s the outline of the story, the detail is that it has a Vodaphone Tracker immobiliser VTS S7 system and before the car had stopped rolling my phone was ringing with Vodaphone asking for my password and telling me my car was moving and away from Geofence. “Yes, I’m sitting in it with my security card, keys and fob. Have you just shut my car down?”
“No sir, you’ve not got that system, we can’t do that remotely. You’ll have to call your recovery company.”
So an hour n half later the AA tow me to the next junction where the car fires up without issue.
I’ve spent all day with the mechanic who rebuilt the car and the security system fitter who can find nothing wrong. They are certain that an interruption in the signal of the tracker immobiliser from an outside source shut all power to the engine. Apparently this is a known issue with some service stations having large radio masts on their complex. Is this issue known to any of you guys?
That’s the outline of the story, the detail is that it has a Vodaphone Tracker immobiliser VTS S7 system and before the car had stopped rolling my phone was ringing with Vodaphone asking for my password and telling me my car was moving and away from Geofence. “Yes, I’m sitting in it with my security card, keys and fob. Have you just shut my car down?”
“No sir, you’ve not got that system, we can’t do that remotely. You’ll have to call your recovery company.”
So an hour n half later the AA tow me to the next junction where the car fires up without issue.
I’ve spent all day with the mechanic who rebuilt the car and the security system fitter who can find nothing wrong. They are certain that an interruption in the signal of the tracker immobiliser from an outside source shut all power to the engine. Apparently this is a known issue with some service stations having large radio masts on their complex. Is this issue known to any of you guys?
Thats a lovely 280SL !
In the late 90's early 2000's I knew of issues with Subaru alarms not been able to arm when parked in various locations that had high power transmitters close by, eg police stations, dodgy taxi firms etc. Was not aware of any fixes for them.
Ironically my 1993 Merc has occasional issues arming itself when parked close to the local taxi firm (which also causes interference on the original radio when go past) and if park it underneath a certain set of power cables.
I'm sure it has a bad / poor earth somewhere (yet I think I've gone through them all), or its just susceptible to electrical interference.
Just thinking now need to double check the non standard alarm to see how / where the aerial is connected
Would be interesting to know if in the location your car stopped if they have issues with radios tuning in, mobile phones dropping out etc.
How is the the system you have supposed to cope with mobile dead zones?
In the late 90's early 2000's I knew of issues with Subaru alarms not been able to arm when parked in various locations that had high power transmitters close by, eg police stations, dodgy taxi firms etc. Was not aware of any fixes for them.
Ironically my 1993 Merc has occasional issues arming itself when parked close to the local taxi firm (which also causes interference on the original radio when go past) and if park it underneath a certain set of power cables.
I'm sure it has a bad / poor earth somewhere (yet I think I've gone through them all), or its just susceptible to electrical interference.
Just thinking now need to double check the non standard alarm to see how / where the aerial is connected
Would be interesting to know if in the location your car stopped if they have issues with radios tuning in, mobile phones dropping out etc.
How is the the system you have supposed to cope with mobile dead zones?
Edited by richs2891 on Wednesday 25th August 13:25
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