Tuscan immobiliser problem: renewed
Discussion
It seems my previous post about fixing the immobiliser was premature. The next day it was dead again, and this time nothing helped.
So the damn thing is dead and buried, I can take that. I know how to bypass it, and ultimately replace it, courtesy of Dave at HF. Now I just need to find the bugger! The car is a 2003 Tuscan S, registered in March 2003 (believe it or not, on my birthday), if that’s relevant to the location.
It’s not lurking behind the pedal box. Neither is it on the passenger side, under the dashboard – at least not visible, not even after I lowered the dashboard tray (as Dave suggested). Nor is it lower down, under the carpet. Can it be hidden further up under the dash, towards the centre, and the only way to access it is to remove the dash? I haven’t yet removed the centre console, but if my memory serves me right the only hardware I’ve seen there are the window ECUs.
Please help! I know, this is not knowledge to be shared in public, but I’m at my wits’ end. And I’ve been on the forum long enough to vouch for me being a genuine owner.
So the damn thing is dead and buried, I can take that. I know how to bypass it, and ultimately replace it, courtesy of Dave at HF. Now I just need to find the bugger! The car is a 2003 Tuscan S, registered in March 2003 (believe it or not, on my birthday), if that’s relevant to the location.
It’s not lurking behind the pedal box. Neither is it on the passenger side, under the dashboard – at least not visible, not even after I lowered the dashboard tray (as Dave suggested). Nor is it lower down, under the carpet. Can it be hidden further up under the dash, towards the centre, and the only way to access it is to remove the dash? I haven’t yet removed the centre console, but if my memory serves me right the only hardware I’ve seen there are the window ECUs.
Please help! I know, this is not knowledge to be shared in public, but I’m at my wits’ end. And I’ve been on the forum long enough to vouch for me being a genuine owner.
Have you tried Carl Baker? He's just helped me install a new Meta system on my Tuscan. He knows these alarm systems inside out.
http://www.tvruk.tv/
http://www.tvruk.tv/
Found it! But guess what? After I managed to get it out and disconnected the two cables, I plugged them back in – and the immobiliser suddenly decided to get back to business.
I don’t trust it, though, and will definitely replace it. But for now, I’m not sure whether to remove and bypass it completely, or leave it outside its hiding place, (reasonably) accessible until I get a replacement.
Anyone’s views on the best short-term course of action?
I don’t trust it, though, and will definitely replace it. But for now, I’m not sure whether to remove and bypass it completely, or leave it outside its hiding place, (reasonably) accessible until I get a replacement.
Anyone’s views on the best short-term course of action?
Nenad said:
Found it! But guess what? After I managed to get it out and disconnected the two cables, I plugged them back in – and the immobiliser suddenly decided to get back to business.
I don’t trust it, though, and will definitely replace it. But for now, I’m not sure whether to remove and bypass it completely, or leave it outside its hiding place, (reasonably) accessible until I get a replacement.
Anyone’s views on the best short-term course of action?
Having had a similar issue a few years ago, I too spoke to Dave on the 'phone.I don’t trust it, though, and will definitely replace it. But for now, I’m not sure whether to remove and bypass it completely, or leave it outside its hiding place, (reasonably) accessible until I get a replacement.
Anyone’s views on the best short-term course of action?
He offered this advice: "Locate the alarm and immobiliser modules (mine were in the drivers footwell, just to the right of the pedal box) in addition to the obvious multi-pin connectors, locate and trace two "flat" cables that are attached to the Meta modules (36 and 99T ??). These cables - looking like 'phone' charging wires, have a male/female connector along their length. The male looks like an iphone charger pin. Dave advised to remove the male and use some contact cleaner on it - remove and re-insert into the female a few times. Note: they often have tape over the assembly. This worked for me and the system is still functioning fine (fingers crossed).
Dave rationale was that all the electronics are affected by the damp from shoes etc, in the drivers footwell - this causes the issues described!
Nick.
Nenad said:
Found it! But guess what? After I managed to get it out and disconnected the two cables, I plugged them back in – and the immobiliser suddenly decided to get back to business.
I don’t trust it, though, and will definitely replace it. But for now, I’m not sure whether to remove and bypass it completely, or leave it outside its hiding place, (reasonably) accessible until I get a replacement.
Anyone’s views on the best short-term course of action?
If it's short term I'd just bypass it, as I did on mine. Saves messing about every time it decides to play up again.I don’t trust it, though, and will definitely replace it. But for now, I’m not sure whether to remove and bypass it completely, or leave it outside its hiding place, (reasonably) accessible until I get a replacement.
Anyone’s views on the best short-term course of action?
Thanks for the tips, everyone.
I would've tried spraying the connectors if I was set on squeezing out the remaining time the immobiliser has left. Who knows, now that it's working again just by unplugging/plugging the connectors, it may continue to do so. But I don't trust it and would hate to have it fail once more. I was lucky this time, as it happened in my garage. If it were to give up after, say, a restaurant visit in downtown KL (with rain almost guaranteed every evening), I wouldn't relish spending an hour or so dismantling everything just to plug in the bypass. And I dare not even contemplate my wife's vitriolic comments... (One of her favourite suggestions is 'just put some more velcro on it, darling'
)
As for the course of action, it depends on the mail/courier services this close to Christmas. I've ordered a connector and pins to bypass it, but will also order a replacement ASAP. So, we'll see which arrives first. Ultimately, the bugger will have to be replaced. I don't like having to carry yet another dongle with me, but that seems to be the only option nowadays.
Anyone wants to buy a used and potentially working M36T2 unit? Cheap for you, lah!
I would've tried spraying the connectors if I was set on squeezing out the remaining time the immobiliser has left. Who knows, now that it's working again just by unplugging/plugging the connectors, it may continue to do so. But I don't trust it and would hate to have it fail once more. I was lucky this time, as it happened in my garage. If it were to give up after, say, a restaurant visit in downtown KL (with rain almost guaranteed every evening), I wouldn't relish spending an hour or so dismantling everything just to plug in the bypass. And I dare not even contemplate my wife's vitriolic comments... (One of her favourite suggestions is 'just put some more velcro on it, darling'
)As for the course of action, it depends on the mail/courier services this close to Christmas. I've ordered a connector and pins to bypass it, but will also order a replacement ASAP. So, we'll see which arrives first. Ultimately, the bugger will have to be replaced. I don't like having to carry yet another dongle with me, but that seems to be the only option nowadays.
Anyone wants to buy a used and potentially working M36T2 unit? Cheap for you, lah!
‘Ok lah.’
That expression takes me straight back to streets and markets of KL. Hard to think of a Tuscan blasting around those streets. Love that city and the food!
Dave sorted me out with one of those communications cables you’re talking about recently (mine was missing). I couldn’t work out what type of connector the 4pin plug and socket were. Does anyone know out of interest?
I’m giving my Meta system one last chance and then I’m thinking of going with Laserline (what I’m familiar with) or something brand new and popular.
That expression takes me straight back to streets and markets of KL. Hard to think of a Tuscan blasting around those streets. Love that city and the food!
Dave sorted me out with one of those communications cables you’re talking about recently (mine was missing). I couldn’t work out what type of connector the 4pin plug and socket were. Does anyone know out of interest?
I’m giving my Meta system one last chance and then I’m thinking of going with Laserline (what I’m familiar with) or something brand new and popular.
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