chrispugh

Hi All. Recently a radio mast has been built near us and it is interfering with the remote access blip for my Impreza, to the extent that most of the time it no longer works when parked on my drive (but works perfectly everywhere else, so batteries etc are fine).

Any ideas how I can fix this - can I get the blip reprogrammed to a new frequency etc?

Help!

vindaloo

Talk to your dealer. They may be able to sort out a replacement alarm FOC... It depends how helpful they want to be. Though you may end up paying for an hour's labour to fit and re-code keys etc.

BTW: The alarm keypad isn't meant for long term regular use, just for changing alarm options or when a key fob fails for some reason. Regular use can break it. It's not exactly rugged.

J.

pimmo2000

iTrader: (6)

Many people have billed the companies putting these masts up.. might be worth a letter try and get a back up letter from Subaru..

GC8

Sigma can supply a fix for this I believe; they probably charge you though.

Sigma Sam

Although posted before, it's probably worth posting again for anyone new to the forum and for the benefit of anyone else who may suffer from this.....

Radio Lock Out:
- All alarm systems manufactured for use in the UK in ’99 were required to operate on the frequency of 433MHz. Subsequently, in late 2000, the government allowed the introduction of the “Tetra” radio network for telecommunications companies, the military, police, fire and ambulance services etc, which was allocated the 420-430MHz bandwidths.

Although not exactly the same frequency, these “Tetra” transmitters are licensed and so are allowed to operate at around 20,000 watts, compared with the alarm systems 0.5 watt radio key (necessary so that your radio keys remain exempt from annual licensing fees!)

As a result, when you are near a transmitting “Tetra” mast you can get a degree of “bleed over” as their signal is so much stronger and this can swamp the transmission from the radio key.

This problem is not exclusive to this system and can occur on any number of manufacturers systems produced prior to 2001.

The receiver boards were redesigned to focus more accurately on the 433.92HHz frequency as soon as this problem became evident, however, systems manufactured before 2001, with the older receiver boards that may have experienced this problem, are not faulty and were not considered eligible for warranty.
However, as a goodwill measure, customers who suffered from “exceptional” radio lock-out (ie lived or worked below a mast) were offered an upgraded receiver board whilst the vehicle was still within the warranty period.

This goodwill period was extended for a further 12 months after the 3 year warranty period expired, but ended in December 2004.
Later ECUs are available from Subaru (part number SACC 3465) but these are now chargeable

Avoidance:
There are a few points that should be remembered:

- All vehicles that passed through the import centre from January 2001 are equipped with the latest receiver boards that are "Tetra Resistant" and so should not experience this problem.

- A keypad is fitted to ALL models with the UK standard fit alarm system (from 99 MY) as an emergency override, in the event of loss, damage, flat radio key battery etc. (The keypad also allows the driver to access a number of features and is a complete programming tool for the dealers) and so pushing/recovery of vehicle’s should not be necessary provided you know your override PIN and ow to operate the keypad.

- The keypad can NOT be affected by "Radio Lock-Out", as it is hard wired into the system and does not rely on a radio transmission.

Keypad Use:
- The keypad allows only THREE PIN attempts and then will "Lock Up" if an incorrect number is entered a third time. This is a secuity feature to prevent random attempts at steeling the vehicle, however, it is also an inconvenience if you are suffering "Radio Lock Out" and enter your PIN incorrectly.

- The PIN number should not be entered too quickly or too slowly - when a digit has been pressed the small LED built into the keypad will illuminate briefly as confirmation and only then should the next digit be entered.

If an incorrect digit is pressed or the delay between entering digits exceeds10 seconds, then the LED above the keypad will flash rapidly and the PIN attempt should be aborted and started again after 30 seconds.

Due to the small size of the keypad some users may find a rubber tipped pencil easier to use. DO NOT use the sharp tip of a ball point pen etc, or press excessively hard on the keypad as this will only damage the membrane and cause a digit to remain pressed, causing a continual incorrect PIN.

Summary:
My advice is to read the alarm system's instruction manual and practice entering the PIN before you need it. If you do not know your PIN, or bought the car second hand (in which case the PIN may have been changed by the previous owner) you can change the PIN to one of your own choosing, using the keypad, provided that you have a working Radio Key.

Changing your PIN:
- Arm and then Disarm the system using a working Radio Key.
- Within 30 seconds of disarming, type into the keypad: *17856*92*wxyz*wxyz# (where wxyz is your new PIN code)
- Arm the system with the Radio Key
- You should now be able to disarm the system using the new PIN code

Further information can be found in the systems Operating Instructions. If you do not have a copy of the Operating Instructions a link to a copy can be found in the post at:
http://www.subaru-impreza.org/subaru...pic.php?t=2476

Ensure your keypad is operational before you need it on a dark night!
If this is an ntermitent problem, use of the keypad should overcome the problem. However, if the problem is more frequent it may be worth considering a new control unit - An SACC 3465 should cost in the region of £70 from a Subaru dealer and your existing keys can still be used.
Although installation may take around 30 minutes, do not pay over the odds for programming the system, as this can be done in 5 minutes using the keypad.

Sorry that this is such a long-winded post, but I hope that it answers the questions raised and will keep everyone mobile.
SS

Charles aka Charlie

I get this problem in certain areas (luckily not at my home).

But I find putting the fob next to (connecting) my head, this amplifies the power of the fob and normally overcomes the problem.

Try it, it may work mate? God knows what it does to your brain though

Victim

You'll find random RFI all over the place. I've even found that my washing machine on spin cycle creates so much RFI I have to hold the fob against the drivers window to get it to work (or wait 'til the washing machine is finished !). Frustrating sometimes, but that's microwave technology for you.

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

If you also put the Fob to your Head then Press the button believe it or not The signal will travel Twice as far when it's touching your Temple so could mean it will be twice as strong at close range.

Try putting Fob to Head whilst your close to the Car may improve your situation till the matter is resolved

Tony

Ps I'm not pulling your plonker it really does work. Try it if you don't believe me . Walk away from your Car till your Fob will not work. Now walk another 5 steps even further away, it still shouldn't work. Place the Fob touching your Temple, like if you were to shot yourshelf press the button and your car will lock & unlock. remove from your head and it won't work at all.

Enjoy

Charles aka Charlie

Exactly right, it was shown by Mr Clarkson (and his gay Mercedes ) in an episode of Top gear.

That's how I found out about it and use it when locking the car whilst in the house

billythekid

Hello, your head does have a small gain, so if you put the keyfob against your skull the signal from it will propagate slightly further. Back to the main question, as everyone has said contact the alarm company, you wont get much joy from the telcos companies as your alarm has to accept any interference from other sources. The telcos have expensive licences to exempt them from this problem in some situations, this being one of them.

However, I wonder what frequency your alarm is on? GSM is 900mhz and 1800mhz, 3G is on 1900-2100mhz. Airwave is on 450mhz.

Do you know which company it is?

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Your Head/Body must be acting as an external aerial to the Fob !!!!

Sorry haven't got a clue

Charlie,
I also found it useful when I was in Bed and the wife left something in the Car couldn't trust here with one Button

Tony