Immobiliser making me Immobile!!!

[Wannabehappycamper]

Hi all, we are currently staying at a lovely little site in Damhead (just outside Edinburgh) the only problem is we have no chance of leaving as our Bongo won't start!! I'm pretty sure my toad alarm is to blame - the battery seems fine - headlights are bright! The immobiliser indicator light only goes from red to amber (and sometimes not lit) but never green and the dash lights never come on (no oil light, airbag light or glow plugs warm). We have AA but I don't reckon they can solve it and they'll want to take it to a garage but and it's a big but THE ROOF IS UP!!

[helen&tony]

Hi
I've P.M'd you
I might be able to help you disable the alarm...P.M. me if you need help...not on the open forum
I'm just off to bed , so I'll reply in the morning
Cheers
Helen

[Jim the Box]

Tallbongo had his roof jam up at Glencoe, he may be able to give advice on lowering it so that at least the AA could get you to an auto-electricians if you can get the roof down.

[Simon Jones]

Not familiar with your system, but does it have a battery in some form of key fob that might need changing? Another suggestion, disconnect the main battery for a while, reconnect and try again. That may reset everything.

[ELZE]

Not familiar with your system, but does it have a battery in some form of key fob that might need changing? Another suggestion, disconnect the main battery for a while, reconnect and try again. That may reset everything.

Simon

Disconnecting the battery will probably make it scream loudly as the back up battery kicks in!

If the battery is holding less than 9v the alarm and mobiliser won't come off!

I have exactly thes ame problem , just had the alarm engineer out. I am testing the battery and alternator to decide which is at fault. hope its just the battery.

[rita]

Have faith in your AA engineer/mechanic , if I didn't think they could fix my vehicle I would not take out membership.

As ELZE has said, they will probably boost/assist the starter battery.

[Wannabehappycamper]

Thanks for all the replies. I disconnected the battery last night and im about to reconnect now (hopefully it won't scream!) . We have 2 of the key fobs and battery condition is good. Re the starter battery, my battery tester is showing it has a reasonable amount of power. We have had aflat battery before and the dash lights still came on but now enough power to start (AA were amazing that time and quickly got battery working). This is a new battery now however. Will try this and post an update. This is our last night at the campsite so I'll call the AA in the morning if nothing works before then.

Thanks again!

[Wannabehappycamper]

I tried the reset - it didn't even scream! My toad alarm LED won't go green! Red and amber show but green means go!! Is it stuck in valet mode? Any recommendations for electric auto guy or bongo garage in/near Edinburgh?

[teenmal]

Some of these systems have a Valet bypass switch hidden out of sight..IE under dash etc.If you have one turn the ignition key and operate the switch at the same time to disable the alarm.

Good luck..

[Simon Jones]

If it were in valet mode it would mean the immobiliser will be disabled so it would start straight away without the fob. What does the alarm manual or a search with Google suggest the LED status means?

[Wannabehappycamper]

Thanks again for all the replies. That is a good point about the valet mode. Maybe I'm barking up the wrong tree with the immobiliser - the engine cut out shortly after starting as we tried to lower the roof. Pressed lock cancel then started to press lower button and engine cut out and while we still have interior lights,windscreen wipers and headlights we have no dash lights and no roof lowering. I have checked all fuses I could find...

[Wannabehappycamper]

Howdy Folks! I'm home and dry(ish)!! Rita was right, the AA came and saved the day. It may not have been the immobiliser after all!? He used an external wire from one fuse to another where there was no power and that brought the dash lights on and the engine would run while the wire was in place. AA reckons it's the ignition relay?! I think I feel a new post coming on! Thanks to all who posted!