Alarm

Author
Discussion

simpo one

Original Poster:

87,086 posts

272 months

Sunday 14th April 2002
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Yesterday I must have pressed the keyfob button too quickly or something and the system did a 'double-bounce'. The engine started fine and I drove home, but the green LED (which normally shows the indicators) flashed every few seconds.

Later I went to the garage for something and the moment I started to open the up-and-over door, the alarm went off. And the car's roof was up! Is it really supposed to be that sensitive? I thought it shouod only go off if you reach inside the car? I then read the handbook (RTFM!) and found that to reset the system you not only have to put the thingy in the slot, but turn the ignition on as well. It's OK now but is it supposed to do all that?

EdT

5,132 posts

291 months

Sunday 14th April 2002
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I found the (motion?) sensor too sensitive in our 500 when we got it a few years back - alarm went off now & then just from looking at the car - so routed around & found the sensor (inside central tunnel) and turned the pot a little (guessed which way but guessed right) so now it's just right.
Regards
Ed

simon gray

44 posts

271 months

Tuesday 16th April 2002
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The Griffith I have just bought 1996 has had the alarm sound box removed ( it kept going off) Can anyone advise of the best place to get a replacement.

The alarm is the one button variety

Thanks

simpo one

Original Poster:

87,086 posts

272 months

Tuesday 16th April 2002
quotequote all
'The Griffith I have just bought 1996 has had the alarm sound box removed (it kept going off) Can anyone advise of the best place to get a replacement.'

I'd try an autoelectrical expert, ideally one that's been recommended. I can't recall what type that alarm is. Earlier Griffs had a Gemini alarm which I thought was better - the remote worked instantly, from any angle and long range. By contrast the one on my 500 (1997) only works from the drivers door, and you have to hold the button for one second before anything works.

beano1197

20,854 posts

282 months

Tuesday 16th April 2002
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quote:

I can't recall what type that alarm is. Earlier Griffs had a Gemini alarm which I thought was better - the remote worked instantly, from any angle and long range.


Probably a Meta 99 (little logo like an "art deco diamond" on the back???)

simpo one

Original Poster:

87,086 posts

272 months

Tuesday 16th April 2002
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'Probably a Meta 99 (little logo like an "art deco diamond" on the back???)'

Yep - that's the one. Ta!

RichardSteel

139 posts

272 months

Tuesday 16th April 2002
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My alarm's a Piranha. The original, I suppose, was replaced some time (I've only had the car 3 months). It seems to work fine, but I don't have the flashing light when it's set, so assume the installer just couldn't be bothered to connect it?

Richard

simon gray

44 posts

271 months

Wednesday 17th April 2002
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Yep meta 99 it is and you sure can only get it to set close up

simpo one

Original Poster:

87,086 posts

272 months

Wednesday 17th April 2002
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So why did TVR stop fitting an alarm that worked very well (Gemini) and replace it with a crap one (Meta 99) that embarrasses you in front of your friends when it won't play ball?

CleG

567 posts

271 months

Monday 20th May 2002
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hehe I have the same probs as you guys with the meta, also when the car is hot after a run .. its even worse to operate.

I am going to book it in shortly for a clifford i think

shpub

8,507 posts

279 months

Monday 20th May 2002
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quote:

So why did TVR stop fitting an alarm that worked very well (Gemini) and replace it with a crap one (Meta 99) that embarrasses you in front of your friends when it won't play ball?



Because the Gemini ones were even worse and suffered from corrosion that ate the copper on the circuit boards away and then Gemini stopped production which meant that the only spares that were available were old boards that were hand wired to replace the tracks.

They switched to Foxguard before Meta. You might want to blame the battery in the blipper as it doesn't last forever...

Steve
www.tvrbooks.co.uk

simpo one

Original Poster:

87,086 posts

272 months

Monday 20th May 2002
quotequote all
'You might want to blame the battery in the blipper as it doesn't last forever... '

Nope, that's not it as I changed batteries. Other owners have reported the same - namely, that the alarm only works from next to the driver's door, and that you have to hold the button for 1+ second. Unlocking doesn't seem to be quite so fussy.

Where's the receiver? Maybe it needs to be up higher/more exposed etc.

shpub

8,507 posts

279 months

Tuesday 21st May 2002
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The range improved on mine with new batteries by a couple of metres. The receiver unit is directly behind the dash and is screened by the metal dash plate. The short range is an advantage as it makes scanning the code easier.

To be honest in the grand scheme of things it is something I don't worry about.
Steve