Tracker up the creek - again

Tracker up the creek - again

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Discussion

don4l

Original Poster:

10,058 posts

182 months

Thursday 17th June 2010
quotequote all
Tonight my mobile received a text message saying that the tracker alarm was active. The funny thing is that the red light wasn't on. Anyway, I replied with the pin number. Shortly after, I received a phone call and once again confirmed who I was. We also agreed that I would be using the car until 10:00 pm. I was told that I could ignore any further text messages.

Later, after a meal, I kept an eye on the red light. It went off when the car started, but after a hundred yards it went on, and stayed on for about a mile before going off again. I assume that the same thing had happened earlier. I received another text message, which I ignored.

Is this behaviour normal if the tag has failed? If you drive without a tag, does the light come on and then go off again?

This is the second time in a year that the system has failed.


Don
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Guycord

744 posts

179 months

Friday 18th June 2010
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Just out of curiosity, I have purchased both a V8V (new) and the V12V (used)from two different dealers and both were MY2010 models. Neither dealer offered me the tracking tags nor an immediate Bluetooth link to my phone.

Are the Tag's something that customers ask for to augment their Tracker security, something that some dealers offer and other dont etc...? I have no doubt if I went to my current Dealer now and asked for the tags I would get them. However, with the issues of electrical servicing (and putting the tracker into service mode etc...), it seems to me that this system may be more hassle than it's worth.

Discuss.

G

revs88

109 posts

192 months

Friday 18th June 2010
quotequote all
HI Don,

I had a similar problem with my MY2008 model also - the red light stays on for a couple of minutes or so after you have pulled off to indicate that there is no tag in the vehicle.

In my experience just after the red light went out I got the text and then followed up by a phone call if I did not respond.

The dealer gave me new tags due to the high number of times this was happening and then finally I had the unit replaced under warranty which was pushed by the Tracker company - probably because they were sick to death of speaking to me every time I took the car out.

Now I have no problems unless I forget to bring the damn tag with me. Sadly never been able to sync my phone as the tag which would solve this.

Cheers, Richard

silverspeed

1,505 posts

236 months

Friday 18th June 2010
quotequote all
Guycord said:
Just out of curiosity, I have purchased both a V8V (new) and the V12V (used)from two different dealers and both were MY2010 models. Neither dealer offered me the tracking tags nor an immediate Bluetooth link to my phone.

Are the Tag's something that customers ask for to augment their Tracker security, something that some dealers offer and other dont etc...? I have no doubt if I went to my current Dealer now and asked for the tags I would get them. However, with the issues of electrical servicing (and putting the tracker into service mode etc...), it seems to me that this system may be more hassle than it's worth.

Discuss.

G
My MY08 DB9 had tags that didn't work. I had my phone paired to the system and tracker works perfect now. Just purchased V8 MY10 and no tags supplied. Was advised by Eurowatch that the system is now tagless and works differently but the cover isn't as great because if the car is driven with the key its assumes its not stolen. If the car is lifted or moving without the ignition on it will assume theft. Apparently you can still get the tags if required but most insurers do not require this level of cover.

If the light comes on after you start driving its not recognising any tag ( or phone). My suggestion is get your phone paired to it.

don4l

Original Poster:

10,058 posts

182 months

Friday 18th June 2010
quotequote all
Guycord said:
Just out of curiosity, I have purchased both a V8V (new) and the V12V (used)from two different dealers and both were MY2010 models. Neither dealer offered me the tracking tags nor an immediate Bluetooth link to my phone.

Are the Tag's something that customers ask for to augment their Tracker security, something that some dealers offer and other dont etc...? I have no doubt if I went to my current Dealer now and asked for the tags I would get them. However, with the issues of electrical servicing (and putting the tracker into service mode etc...), it seems to me that this system may be more hassle than it's worth.

Discuss.

G
My car is MY07, and I have no knowledge of later models. I have two tags, and one of them must be in the car when it is being driven, otherwise the system assumes that the car is not being driven by the owner.

I believe that this system is completely standard on my car.


Thanks to the people who suggested the mobile phone idea. I've asked HWM if this can be done, and they are investigating.


Don
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mikey k

13,014 posts

222 months

Friday 18th June 2010
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Anyone know what the 4.7's have?
Is it tagless?

martinvantage

320 posts

185 months

Friday 18th June 2010
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Dealers try to dissuade owners from using the tags saying the driver recognition is unnecessary. Undoubtedly this is because of the failure rate with the system and general hassle. Check with your insurer first. Dont believe AM when they say that an iphone 3G can be paired its unreliable for some.

steve_amv8

1,906 posts

216 months

Friday 18th June 2010
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In reply to the OP, this is normal behaviour for a car with the tag-based AM Tracking system.

The system allows you to move the car for a short distance without triggering an alarm (to get it out of the garage, or move it a few yards) hence ther red light goes out. The the red light will, however, come on again if you drive any further without a paired tag or phone being detected, after which you get texts and then calls if you don't reply correctly to the texts.

You are correct in that the light will go off again after a few minutes, presumably after it has succesfully notified the control centre.

Edited by steve_amv8 on Friday 18th June 22:24

whoami

13,154 posts

246 months

Saturday 19th June 2010
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mikey k said:
Anyone know what the 4.7's have?
Is it tagless?
Mine (09) had tags.

mikey k

13,014 posts

222 months

Saturday 19th June 2010
quotequote all
Cheers
I'll make a point of getting them when I collect mine on Wednesday

uuf361

3,155 posts

228 months

Sunday 20th June 2010
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My Tracker was truly awful - came on more often than not even though the fob was in the car in the door pocket......

And I even managed to drive to work one day without the tag, left it in the work car park for 9 hours, and only when I went to drive home did the car decide the fob was missing!!!!

A truly awful system and the dealer was unable to get it to work any better, even with new fobs etc.

steve_amv8

1,906 posts

216 months

Sunday 20th June 2010
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Tags are awful but it's works superbly when paired to a BT phone. Never had one false alarm since switching to this method ...