I am having a bit a of a problem with my alarm/mobiliser. Stopped at the garage put in optimax, paid and tried to leave forecourt - but no!

 

I have a cat 1 cobra system, I deactivated alarm with the fob got in car tried ignition - nothing red light comes on when turning switch. There is a second button on the fob (which i thought was for deactivating the imobiliser - i have no manual) - has worked previously - nothing.

 

Fob was working as red light comes on when pressing button.

 

I spent 10 minutes of various combinations of presses and ignition states - nothing. Then finally for some reason I try putting the auto gear box in drive, then back into park - turn iginition and it starts!

 

I did notice that when putting my foot on the brake I can hear a relay activating in the auto box - is this something to do with it?? This is the 3rd time this has happened to me.. it was working fine yesterday..

 

Is it a faulty alarm or something to do with car/auto box?? I have had the auto box lock on me before now and the dealer said i had to pull that little lever at the bottom of the gear stick shaft to release it - is that related/normal?

 

Any ideas, thanks

 

Barry

Sounds very much like a faulty auto box P/N switch.

 

The car will only let you (attempt) to start it if the gearbox is in Park or Neutral, so there's a switch to sense that - sounds like it's dirty/maladjusted/faulty.

 

Can't quite remember where the switch is off the top of my head.

 

That relay you heard clicking is the solenoid that locks and unlocks the gear selector lever - you can't move it out of Park unless your foot is on the brake and ignition on (correction, you're not *supposed* to be able to move it) - the little lever on the front is the auxiliary release. If the battery is dead, or you need to move the gear lever without the ignition on, you push that lever down and it releases the lever regardless of the footbrake.

 

GZ.

 

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GZ.

I don't have an auto and not an expert but if there's no other suggestions:

 

A couple of years ago I jumped into my (manual J spec) Z, bunged the key in and turned it. Something went click but the engine didn't turn over. At the time I suspected the battery in my key fob - I could remote lock and unlock the doors but when trying to start the car - nothing.

 

Cutting a long story short, it was loose main battery connections. Man from the RAC tightened them up, I thumbed the key fob, doors opened again and with a turn of the key - vroom vroom. Embarrassed or what

Next time it happens (probably soon ) I will try the gearbox shift to see if it clears it - if so I will assume it is that switch.

 

Anyone know where it is and is it easy to clean/get at?

 

Thanks

 

Barry

hey aaron, didnt know you were back, the bay is looking nice these days.

 

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It's the starter inhibitor on the auto box.

I've had this myself once or twice.

I presume it's the switch that needs adjusting for park/neutral as has been said.

 

Is it easy to get to/adjust? Is there some info on the TTnet on how to do it?

 

Thanks

 

Barry

What is it with these cars they have a timely knack of embarressing you at petrol stations!

 

Mine did this once after I'd jetwashed it at a Jet station in Luton.

 

I started it OK and pulled out of the jetwash bay to fill up with fuel. Got in the car after alarming it to go and pay up.

 

Tried to start and it turned briefly, fired then died and wouldn't start.

 

Got out...alarmed/disarmed...back in and it was fine. Never done it since.

 

Oh and I could write a book about things it has done to show me up at busy petrol stations. LOL

 

 

 

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"Life sucks. Get a F**king helmet, okay?"

Denis Leary