Hi ho silver Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 I have a 2001 Y plate WRX . I have twice been the victim of having my alarm system/immobiliser rendered useless by radio masts blocking my key fob signals. This is apparently caused by new digital transmissions by police and emergency services from masts I have parked next to. The problem is being caused to other cars as well ie Audi,Mercedes ,Rover etc according to the breakdown service who got me going again. The first time it happened was the car park at Livingston shopping centre. Yesterday it was at Bankhead Drive Edinburgh next to Arnold Clark Nissan dealership. Symptoms are that the car will not lock on the key fob and the immobiliser cuts in and will not unset. The fail - safe hard wired keypad alternative is difficult to operate and on both occasions it has locked out on me after three attempts to get it to accept my pin number.The first breakdown guy said you have to zap in the numbers fast , the Subaru assist operator told me to wait until the LED on the keypad flashed after keying in the numbers- the subaru manual just says key in the pin code and nothing else about waiting for LED flashing. The second breakdown guy gave up with the keypad and towed me a good distance away from the mast and I was able to start the car normally. After my first experience I got somehwere with the keypad by managing to set the system but it would not unset with the result I was left with the alarm system blasting- much to my great embarassment- needless to say no one paid any attention anyway though the breakdown guy found my car very quickly!! I am not sure whether this has already been covered in the forum but as I am not a regular poster would be pleased if someone can answer the following. 1. What are Subaru and other members saying about this?- it is totally unacceptable to me to have to search the skyline for masts before I park up. 2. What are the exact instructions for operating the security keypad- ie relevance of flashing LED. My Subaru Assistance warranty runs out soon and I am damned if I am paying for recovery when it happens again.
ryang Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 I find breakdown guys dont have a clue about cars. My P1 is doing this every second day to me, its driving me mad! To enter the code press first digit of code, wait for light to flash then stop, then second digit, wait for light to flash then stop and so on. This is when the alarm is going off. If the alarm isnt activated and you need to start the car you will have to do the above twice. When you first type the full code in the doors will lock and alarm will arm with you in it. Type the code in again and it will deactivate, doors open and you will have about 30 seconds to start the car or you will have to do the same again. Subaru have a fix for this apparantly which some people have wangled out of warranty and others have had to pay for. IMHO it should be free to every whether in warranty or not as it is obviously a design fault with the Sigma alarms. If I cant get mine done for free I'm going to get it removed and install a Clifford wiht built in turbo timer. Hope this helps. Ryan
ryang Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 Also, if you get the code wrong 3 times, you will know by the led flashing continuosuly for several seconds the car wont let you enter another code for 30 mins. Then get it wrong again its even longer etc etc. Let us know how you get on.
craigdmcd Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 My Scorpion alarm reacts in a similar way, have you tried holding the transmitter at different areas of the car (I hold mine just above the driver's wiper blade). Not an ideal solution but it may be worth a try. Craig
Hi ho silver Posted January 17, 2005 Author Posted January 17, 2005 Thanks for comments and instructions everyone. I will take up with Subaru dealer and see if I can get it sorted as I have a full extended warranty oustanding. I had tried zapping my key fob all over the place ie footwell, under bonnet but not over wipers -will try next time !!
wrxmania Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 VERY common fault at Livingston - seems to affect MY01/02 model. My MY03 has been fine.
DEVLIN Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 I stand up against the o/s wing repeater and point the remote just above the o/s wiper blade , this seems to shield something and allow me to arm / disarm the alarm.
Hepy Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 << I stand up against the o/s wing repeater and point the remote just above the o/s wiper blade , this seems to shield something and allow me to arm / disarm the alarm. >> That's exactly what I do too.
~ ~ Cal ~~ Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 Ridiculously useful thread - anyway of making this a sticky somewhere on the site >> I was completely unaware of this issue but will keep my ears peeled from now on ! Cal
eddiec Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 this is also now a problem around the Altens area of Aberdeen, i had to get my P1 towed away from the area before it would start
~ ~ Cal ~~ Posted January 17, 2005 Posted January 17, 2005 Whereabouts in Altens, I'm at the 5hell offices so I'm now getting concerned about this whole alarm situation
spooks Posted January 18, 2005 Posted January 18, 2005 Ive suffered this a "few" times with embarrasing results. Subaru do offer a shielded alarm unit but I hear its expensive but they will replace it under exteded warranty. AS everyone else says you gotta get in the right place an be lucky and you can get in or trust the most hopeless keypad entry sytem ever made. Spooks
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now