Meta Alarm 98 Griff - No siren

[snarfy]

Looked in the alarms thread but can't find anything pertinent. When the alarm is triggered the indicators flash but the siren doesn't...well....siren. From what I've heard the siren appears to be located at the front of the engine bay and is susceptible to damp. Is it possible to get a multimeter on this to check the signal from the alarm itself ?

[Ballistic Banana]

Not sure about these alarms but If it has been switched of at the unit u might get this.
I think its called ' Valet Mode '.
U dont say weather its been in a garage or not, they might of put in valet mode and forgot to put it back.


Just a shoot in the dark,hope it helps.

BB

[snarfy]

Cheers BB. I'll have a look. Is this switch on the siren unit itself ?
I've had the car about a year and I still haven't found out what the siren sounds like. Wondered why the indicators used to flash for no reason.

[Ballistic Banana]

You've probably got a Key fob,another key for the actuall unit and maybe another one that u can use on the console somewhere(more like an electrical key).

My Foxguard siren is on the offside inner wing near the Rad it has a little cap on it covering the Key hole.

BB

[pete]

The meta sirens are notoriously unreliable - or at least they are where TVR install them! The installation instructions state away from spray, drips and heat, so next to the radiator and directly under where water drains off the bonnet is not ideal...

There's a multi plug connecting the siren to the control unit on the siren end of the wire. This may have been disconnected if the siren is duff. The plug could be just inside the inner wing behind a rubber grommet though. Note that the alarm must be deactivated when you disconnect this cable, else the siren sounds using its internal battery! As far as I know there is no switch for valet mode - only the connector.

Pete
'97 Griff 500, currently on Meta siren #3

[shpub]

Looked in the alarms thread but can't find anything pertinent. When the alarm is triggered the indicators flash but the siren doesn't...well....siren. From what I've heard the siren appears to be located at the front of the engine bay and is susceptible to damp. Is it possible to get a multimeter on this to check the signal from the alarm itself ?

No. Apart from power, the signals are digital. If the siren is dead then you might be able to get a spare siren but they are getting rare.

Also prepared to buy a new alarm unit as there are virtually no Meta spares around. The current company was resurrected and the latest alarms share the same part number but that is it.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

[angusfaldo]

Same happened with mine on a 96 Griff. the siren units sit at the front and point forward so they collect water over time and then die. So you get all the flashy lights stuff when the alarm is triggered but no sound. The other thing that happens is the copper connectors in the door switches get clogged. It is worth taking them out and cleaning them every now and then.

In the end I had the system replaced. Not cheap. Was about 400 for the lot. Could have got it cheaper but I preferred to go to a place here that knows TVRs. They did a good job.

[Mr Freefall]

I had the same problem not so long ago. Try also cleaning the door open switches, this was the problem on mine and all is fine now

[SwanJack]

I have recently replaced the siren on my '97 Chim. My local dealer wanted £100 plus vat, but I managed to buy one from a local alarm installer for £59 plus VAT. It had to be ordered from META and sent over from Italy as the UK supplier no longer stock the item. The siren does go off when the alarm is triggered, but does not sound when the alarm is switched on or off (?). Incidentally my local dealer can supply on an exchange basis, reconditioned alarm units, £150 plus vat I think.

[PLA]

Snarfy I had exactly the same situation on my '98 Chim. You can check whether the siren is working using a voltmeter accross the terminals. If it is'nt I bought a siren and fitted myself (no big deal) and it cost £30 + VAT. The system contary to what others say is very good and parts are still available.

[shpub]

PLA said: Snarfy I had exactly the same situation on my '98 Chim. You can check whether the siren is working using a voltmeter accross the terminals. If it is'nt I bought a siren and fitted myself (no big deal) and it cost £30 + VAT. The system contary to what others say is very good and parts are still available.

The system is good when it works but the aftersales from Meta for the units that TVR fitted is non-existent. If the control unit dies that is it. Dead. Nothing. Can't be reused or repaired. Been round this loop with Meta several times especially as they charged me £100 for a replacement control unit that turned out to be the same unit I sent originally. Turned out is all they do is reflash them and hope that cures the problem. Many of the spares are returned units that are simply shipped out and they cannot do any repair work on the original systems. They refunded the money but they are not a company I would recommend.

There are sirens around but after having to call out an alarm guy several times in 6 weeks and the terrible service I got from Meta, the Meta junk got swapped for a Cobra system.

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk