Hodmedod.one Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 I have a problem with my 95 Disco. The original owner had a Cobra 0802 VVI alarm/immobiliser fitted in 96 ( the sort where you have to "touch" an electronic key against a small round contact before starting the car). Normally, I just touch the contact with the "key", the red LED goes out and then I put the key in the ignition and start it. Last night, the light went out, heater plug light came on and went off, I turned the key and nothing. tried it about 20 times, cock all. Went back to it 20 mins later and it started first time. It started OK this morning and got me home from work OK tonight, but I just know it's going to do it again. I know the black "box of tricks" is under the drivers side dashboard, but needless to say, I don't have a wiring diagram so that I can trace back what does what. I can't find any info on t'internet Can any of you guys help PLEASE!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 I have a "touchkey" on my pajero. Essentially they "get in the way of" important things. Car wires go into something, come out into the alarm box and come out the other side into whatever they went into. Next to the "touch" pad, there will be a light. If when you touch this the light goes out there is nothing wrong with the alarm itself, but perhaps the wiring. If I allow mine to arm, then turn the ignition, nothing much happens (protects ignition and glow on mine). If I leave the key in that position and then touch the key on the alarm, the ignition lights come on when I touch. My logic is there is a bad connection to the glow circuit which is somewhat intermittent. Tracing the wiring to/from the glow plugs would be where I would start looking. Mind, I am a unix techy, so have no idea what I am talking about Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodmedod.one Posted May 24, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 I have a "touchkey" on my pajero. Essentially they "get in the way of" important things. Car wires go into something, come out into the alarm box and come out the other side into whatever they went into. Next to the "touch" pad, there will be a light. If when you touch this the light goes out there is nothing wrong with the alarm itself, but perhaps the wiring. If I allow mine to arm, then turn the ignition, nothing much happens (protects ignition and glow on mine). If I leave the key in that position and then touch the key on the alarm, the ignition lights come on when I touch. My logic is there is a bad connection to the glow circuit which is somewhat intermittent. Tracing the wiring to/from the glow plugs would be where I would start looking. Mind, I am a unix techy, so have no idea what I am talking about The glow plug light was coming on every time I tried to start it and going off as normal after a few seconds but then nothing when I turned the key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pin Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 I am not an auto electrician, but my guess is that you have similar protection to me. The "touchkey" is a 2 circuit immobilisation cat2 device I think. Given the Glow is working but ignition is not, I think there is something wrong with the wiring to the ignition side of things, either to or from the cobra box. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 I had one of these go on me on a Renault 5 Turbo. A long story and large auto electrician bill..... Bear with me on this, but try every electrical manipulation and at the same time try and start the car - e.g. turn the lights on, try the indicators, the windscreen wipers etc. Don't ask me why. Just try it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lurcherboy Posted May 24, 2007 Report Share Posted May 24, 2007 The Cobra can be by-passed within 15 mins and when they start to play up you are in the mire. I would have it spliced out of the loom (job for a auto electrician) and start again with a new alarm. Viper 480 XV comes with remote activation to your keychain etc. This is what all the boy racers on my manor are fitting with the Clifford coming a close second. Around £ 350 fitted inc. VAT. LB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SNAKEBITE Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 If it won't start push it down to the rough part of town, sit in the boot with the doors unlocked and the hoodies will have it going in oooh, 30 seconds. No expensive bills to pay! Just pray they don't set light to it first though, although this could be an option if the thing really causes you trouble! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 the other option is of course that its fine but you've got a sticky starter motor, which would give those symptoms. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodmedod.one Posted May 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 the other option is of course that its fine but you've got a sticky starter motor, which would give those symptoms. From past experience I have always heard something when the starter motor doesn't want to play. As it's an intermittent fault at the moment, it's hard to decide where to look. I had exactly the same problem once on a Ford. A mechanic told me which two wires to cut off the immobiliser and join together. It never missed a beat after that. Just after I bought this Disco, I was told by a friend "get rid of that touch key thing, they are **** and always go wrong". What fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al4x Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 my fourtrack very occasionally has the starter stick and you hear nothing from it just doesn't start. Its always when hot. Still good luck I had one of the Immobilizers on a 205 GTI for 5 years and I have to say never had a problem. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mungler Posted May 25, 2007 Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 Hod, did you try the electrical manipulation? The car I had one on was French - there was some bizarre electrical short on the imobilser which meant that if I turned the ignition off with the lights on, the car would keep running. The fault was also such that if I turned the windscreen wipers on the immobiser became by-passed. The auto electrician said it was a common problem with the imobilser - a funny jack plug affair. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hodmedod.one Posted May 25, 2007 Author Report Share Posted May 25, 2007 Hod, did you try the electrical manipulation? The car I had one on was French - there was some bizarre electrical short on the imobilser which meant that if I turned the ignition off with the lights on, the car would keep running. The fault was also such that if I turned the windscreen wipers on the immobiser became by-passed. The auto electrician said it was a common problem with the imobilser - a funny jack plug affair. I did have look at it. All the wires coming out of the box are black to make it harder for mr car thief and much harder for mr trying to fix it. I wiggled everything and couldn't get it not to start irrespective of what was turned on/off. my fourtrack very occasionally has the starter stick and you hear nothing from it just doesn't start. Its always when hot. Still good luck I had one of the Immobilizers on a 205 GTI for 5 years and I have to say never had a problem. The disco engine was cold as it had been sat in the company car park for 12 hours. just what you need when you want to go home. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.