Alarm remote control
Discussion
Mine packed up last night on a Texaco forecourt. Embarassing. Someone helped me push the Chim into a corner...
Bleeding microswitch inside the remote had fallen to bits. After some swearing I managed to balance it together long enuf to switch off the imobiliser and get the engine going. Needless to say, I am a prat who never got a second remote.
My alarm controller is a factory fitted Meta M99T. I've just ordered two remotes from http://falcon-security.com (Tel: 0800 195 2088). Were helpful and seemed to know their onions.
I'd recommend that people get hold of a spare too. Having a crappy little switch as a single point of failure for the entire car is ... not that wise.
Bleeding microswitch inside the remote had fallen to bits. After some swearing I managed to balance it together long enuf to switch off the imobiliser and get the engine going. Needless to say, I am a prat who never got a second remote.
My alarm controller is a factory fitted Meta M99T. I've just ordered two remotes from http://falcon-security.com (Tel: 0800 195 2088). Were helpful and seemed to know their onions.
I'd recommend that people get hold of a spare too. Having a crappy little switch as a single point of failure for the entire car is ... not that wise.
Although I do indeed have 2 remotes, I also got 2 stick like things that you insert into a slot on the steering column that does the same job in event of fob failure. Not much use if the car is locked mind you! It's a standard Meta alarm that came with the car (96 Chimaera), sure it's the same model as yours though.
The alarm engineer who gave the Sigma SG30 on my Corrado a health check claimed that Meta are bargain-basement systems that are (were) made by another company and simply rebranded. Didn't seem to rate them much.
I too have the standard system on my 97R Chimaera, and the stick-line mechanism is identical to that on my father's Impreza which was recently stolen - they bypassed the immobiliser and drove it away. Fortunatly it was recovered within 2 hours ia Tracker.
Anyway, the point I'm making is that these Meta systems may not be the best in the world. I'm considering replacing mine with something better before I too get locked out of my Chimaera.
Regards
Jon
I too have the standard system on my 97R Chimaera, and the stick-line mechanism is identical to that on my father's Impreza which was recently stolen - they bypassed the immobiliser and drove it away. Fortunatly it was recovered within 2 hours ia Tracker.
Anyway, the point I'm making is that these Meta systems may not be the best in the world. I'm considering replacing mine with something better before I too get locked out of my Chimaera.
Regards
Jon
My stick wotsit didn't work 
The Meta kit seems to come from an Italian firm fyi. According to my blurb from TVR, the standard arrangement isn't Thatch 1 as the ultrasonic transducers have been swapped for microwave, and pin switches for bonnet and boot are not fitted. The imobiliser by itself is Thatch 2, so the whole lot together is probably about Thatch 1.5 ;D
The Meta kit seems to come from an Italian firm fyi. According to my blurb from TVR, the standard arrangement isn't Thatch 1 as the ultrasonic transducers have been swapped for microwave, and pin switches for bonnet and boot are not fitted. The imobiliser by itself is Thatch 2, so the whole lot together is probably about Thatch 1.5 ;D
Alarms can also lose their Thatcham categorisation. For example, the Sigma SG30 on my Corrado is no longer Cat1 as Sigma superseded the model and didn't bother to pay to keep the categorisation on that model. However, insurers will continue to treat it as such so long as it has a yearly checkup.
Other alarm systems have been decategorsised as they have proved to have a major security flaw.
I'm still amazed that my insurers swallowed the scrappy photocopied letter from TVR saying "its equivalent to Thatcham Cat1, honest guv" and gave me the Cat1 discount. Really there should be a proper certificate of conformance with any Cat1 alarm system.
I'm still highly dubious of the Meta system on my Chimaera, especially in the light of all these comments, so I may still investigate another system.
But at the end of the day, if you're happy with the Meta system then keep it, if not then change it. All the same to me!
Other alarm systems have been decategorsised as they have proved to have a major security flaw.
I'm still amazed that my insurers swallowed the scrappy photocopied letter from TVR saying "its equivalent to Thatcham Cat1, honest guv" and gave me the Cat1 discount. Really there should be a proper certificate of conformance with any Cat1 alarm system.
I'm still highly dubious of the Meta system on my Chimaera, especially in the light of all these comments, so I may still investigate another system.
But at the end of the day, if you're happy with the Meta system then keep it, if not then change it. All the same to me!
Worst case would be if an insurer rejects a claim on the basis of the alarm system ... i.e. owner says in good faith "it's Cat1", but it has been de-listed.
I wonder how many car theives can identify the type of alarm that is fitted with just a couple of LEDs to look at? I guess they work on the basis of knowing what the standard factory fitted units are.
I wonder how many car theives can identify the type of alarm that is fitted with just a couple of LEDs to look at? I guess they work on the basis of knowing what the standard factory fitted units are.
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