Dash Rendar Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 I've got a Clifford Concept 300 alarm on my Supra. When pressing the button on the key fob, it *used* to set the alarm (as indicated by the red flashing light) and lock the doors. Since this cold spell, the button no longer locks or unlocks the doors! But it does still set the alarm. I can still unlock / lock the doors with the key, but every morning for the last few weeks, the lock has been frozen and I've been unable to use the key. This morning, I actually bent the key in the lock while unlocking the car, with the result that I couldn't use it to start the car until I had straightened the key with some pliers! So now, I'm a bit stuffed as the alarm won't unlock the car, and key generally won't work in the mornings. Is it normal for Supra locks to freeze up so bad they're unusable? I haven't been able to use my key in the mornings for about 3 weeks. And this morning, when I did manage to get where I needed to go (after bending the key), when I arrived, I was unable to lock the car as the lock was too frozen for me to lock it using the key. So, I figured I'll alarm the car (which obviously has an immobiliser) and take my chances that no one tries to steal anything from inside the car. But then I find out the alarm only works if I open the car with the driver's door! The passenger door doesn't appear to trigger the alarm at all! So, in summary... * Alarm works * Central locking through Clifford alarm doesn't work any more * Locks generally frozen so I can't use the key * Passenger door opening doesn't trigger alarm. And, for the final nail in the coffin, I did have a manual for it, but I had some work done by Matt H and Mark at Phoenix a few years ago, and left the manual with them, then forgot all about it. So, no manual. Any ideas what might be wrong? Can anyone recommend someone in the Berkshire area I could take it to who won't rip me off? I'm thinking I might have to buy a new alarm system... Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spartan Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 It may not be a problem with the alarm ... If the locks are frozen badly enough to bend a key then it stands to reason that the alarm interface might not be able to shift them either. You could test this fairly easily by sitting in the car with the doors closed and try the central locking function button on the driver's door console. I think it's normal for alarms to be triggered by a voltage drop, like the interior light coming on when you open the door. It could be the door switch to trigger this is only working on the driver's side. Maybe it's frozen on the passenger side. Again, you can check this fairly easily by seeing if the courtesy light and/or door open warning lamp on the dash. comes on when you open the driver/passenger doors. Hope that helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash Rendar Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share Posted January 3, 2010 Thanks for the info. I should have mentioned that the car alarm was not triggering the central locking even after the locks have warmed up sufficiently to work normally. (I've tested that several times over the last few days.) But here's something weird I forgot to mention... I was out cleaning the other car this lunch time, and while I was out there, I heard the central locking on the Supra constantly clicking, even though no one was pressing the key! Every 30 seconds or so, I heard it click. And, I've just tried the remote again now, and it works for the first time in weeks! So I really puzzled as to what is / was wrong with it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 It's probably something as simple as a few poor wiring connections. The system really needs to be checked through - thoroughly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 ...And, for the final nail in the coffin, I did have a manual for it, but I had some work done by Matt H and Mark at Phoenix a few years ago, and left the manual with them, then forgot all about it. So, no manual. Here's an owners manual for you.concept300uk_owners.pdf Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash Rendar Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share Posted January 3, 2010 Thanks for the manual. I'll get it checked out. (I was more gutted about losing the 4-digit valet code that was attached to the manual, but I imagine a professional technician won't have any issues with not having this...) It looks like my Concept 300 also supports remote engine start (Intellistart), so I might see if I can get this installed. I like the idea of warming up the car in the mornings! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 With the Cliffnet software the valet code will be able to be reset to whatever you want, so that's no problem. The Intellistart modules are about £80, fairly easy to add and are a nice thing to have for the novelty factor alone! In Summer you can also have it remote start with the aircon on. Some say that having Intellistart installed prevents the car from being insured as it's then no longer classed as Cat1. I'm not sure how that works, because if it's installed correctly the car is no less safe (or less secure) than without it. Smartwindows is also quite nice and about £80 for the module. This adds full closer, one-touch control and venting for Summer. Very flexible these Clifford alarms... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash Rendar Posted January 3, 2010 Author Share Posted January 3, 2010 Smartwindows is also quite nice and about £80 for the module. This adds full closer, one-touch control and venting for Summer. Very flexible these Clifford alarms... Full closer, one-touch control and venting? Sounds cool, but I don't know what they are! I wouldn't mind the boot-release working on the remote too. Sounds like you know your stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted January 3, 2010 Share Posted January 3, 2010 Full closer is when you can pull up with the windows open, get out of the car, set the alarm and both windows automatically close. Venting is operated by the remote and you can leave the windows very slightly open in Summer to stop the car getting too hot - the alarm is still on of course. You can set exactly how far open the windows are open with Cliffnet software. One-touch is simply a quick flick in the down or up direction on the window switch and the window either goes fully down or up without having to keep your finger on the switch. Remote boot release is only about £15 or so for the solenoid, a relay and a bit of wire. I installed my own about 18 months ago. I added Intellistart, Smartwindows, wireless immobiliser, dual zone microwave, dual zone shock, tilt sensor, glass break sensor, boot release, remote headlight activation, internal sounder and standard horns connected as well... I may have forgotten something else They're not as difficult to install as some 'Professionals' make out. If you have some basic electrical knowledge and can use a laptop, then it's really quite straight-forward. Get Intellistart wrong though and the consequences could be very bad! (the car shouldn't be able to be started whilst in gear) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash Rendar Posted January 4, 2010 Author Share Posted January 4, 2010 I'm getting my Intellistart and boot release on Saturday, plus sorting out the other issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveC Posted January 4, 2010 Share Posted January 4, 2010 That's good news. You should be all sorted by this time next week. In the my previous posts I should have said 'full closure'. It's no wonder you didn't know what 'full closer' meant! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash Rendar Posted January 24, 2010 Author Share Posted January 24, 2010 With all the snow and such, my installation day got delayed, but in the end I had it sorted yesterday. The remote start is so cool! It's like KITT. Also, the other issues have been resolved too. Some of the issues were caused by incorrect installation, which have now been resolved now. (For example, the passenger door previously did not trigger the alarm at all!) And the issue where the button would activate central locking, and unlock, but subsequently wouldn't work the central locking... this was sorted by adding a couple of relays. Also, the NiCad battery was knackered, so that's been replaced too. And I've got boot release on the remote now. Sweet... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest winlaton Posted January 24, 2010 Share Posted January 24, 2010 Same thing happened to me in the snow, the alarm still switches on/off with the keyfob but the doors dont lock/unlock - I have an Avital alarm - I havent got round to looking at it yet, the key still opens the doors so no crisis Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mr veilside Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Im having the same problem myself with the central locking. I can arm the Alarm but it doesnt lock the doors or open them. Weird thing is though i cant even lock the car with my key. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SimonT Posted January 27, 2010 Share Posted January 27, 2010 Im having the same problem myself with the central locking. I can arm the Alarm but it doesnt lock the doors or open them. Weird thing is though i cant even lock the car with my key. I would say its something to do with your door locks then and not the alarm if you cant even undo the doors with your key! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dash Rendar Posted January 27, 2010 Author Share Posted January 27, 2010 With the freeze this morning, my car refused to unlock again. At least the alarm and the remote start is working though. 15 minutes of the car running with the heater on inside certainly helped to unfreeze the lock. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted January 31, 2010 Share Posted January 31, 2010 Stripped the doorcards off today and ran a hairdryer into the cavity behind the vapour barrier for a good half-hour each side, as well as spraying penetrator spray then spray grease into the lock barrells. The car now unlocks remotely but will still not lock itself. I used to have a box full of all those little silica gel pads you get in parcels, but I binned the lot a while ago as I never could think of a time I would need them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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