Charlie H

Had a Clifford 500 system fitted to my car last September. Since then it's been back 4 times because of false bonnet switch alarms (even with the switch disconnected!) and once it activated and said cause was the digital tilt sensor which isn't fitted to the 500 system I remember reading about a modified version for imports but my clifford dealer says he has no knowledge of it. Can anyone give me any info on this as I'm paranoid about theft as it is, without it going off for no reason every few weeks

Jolly Green Monster

iTrader: (4)

I typed this once already but it crashed so I shall be more brief this time...

Firstly being an Import should make no difference, I had an Import with a Clifford Concept 40 fitted for 4 years without fault... they are all 12v and that is the only requirement for the alarm... IMHO

Check it is fitted properly, that the fitter is registered... do a search on 'alarm' you should find some info on what happens when the fitter is not real and a couple of dodgy company info too....

chiark

There was a known problem with the Concept 600 on WRX and STIs, specifically with the wireless immobiliser, due to the extremely noisy nature of the Subaru's electrical system.

Back in November 1999, Clifford released a unit with a slightly modified PSU and the problems disappeared.

As the 500 is basically the same unit as the 600, it is possible that there's a problem. However, it pertains to the wireless fuel guard.

Your unit has a lifetime warranty. Kick up a stink until its sorted.

The dealer should know about the modified version of the 600 if he's been a dealer since 1999. I believe it used to have just a red sticker applied to the control box to show that it had been modified for use with the WRX and STI.

Bizarrely, UK and spec Imprezas do not have any problems.

Charlie H

Cheers guys, and by the way I did check he was VSIB approved and have full certificates for the work to prove so I'll keep bugging them. After reading about recent events regarding alarm companies I'm glad I did

Blue

Charlie
If you don't have any luck, speak to Max down at Maximum Impact Car Security in Leeds, he's the area VSIB 'man' He knows Imprezas inside out.
Did a top job on mine.

chiark

Funnily enough, Max also did mine! He'll be happy to talk you through it if you want to give him a bell (though he'll not thank me for the work). 0113 244 1448

barge

I have a 93 WRX, 2 years a go I got a Clifford 600 Concept fited, only problem I have had was a dry joint on the soldering which stopped the passenger side indicators from flashing when arming.

Rajd

My car alarm (Clifford 600)also suffered from a similar problem recently. Turned out to be water on the bonnet switch connection. Dealer just applied some grease to the switch and the problem is now cured.

Raj

Charlie H

Rajd, they did that to mine. It was ok for a couple of months until the heat from the engine melted it all off. I've had a quick look tonight and it seems the mechanic at Gibsons near Preston has reconnected the switch for me He obviously saw the wire curled up in the engine bay and reconnected it for me - nice of him to do it but looks like that is why it's been alarming again.
Blue & Chiark - where is you're bonnet switch (front or side)and is it sealed/have a rubber boot on as mine doesn't look very water/condensation proof, but my dealer only uses this particular type. I would have used Maximum impact but they were so busy when I got my scoob (I needed it doing in 2 weeks for insurance) I went to Eurocar near Wakefield in the end - wish I'd waited now

Thanks for everyones help anyway

[This message has been edited by Charlie H (edited 04 April 2001).]

ian/555

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if you have had a concept 600 fitted to a WRX or STi then your alarm will not have all the features it should!
That is of course only if the dealers have fitted the modified version as instructed by Clifford.

Charlie H

Concept 500 with all fitted features working (and a couple of extras) and my dealer is contacting Clifford with regard to any compatability problems. Just think it is a **** bonnet switch

TonyBurns

iTrader: (3)

All imprezas suffer from the "bonnet fault" its caused by the heat of the engine melting the silicone grease on the bonnet switch, the outcome is that every so often you have to re-apply grease to the said switch which should take all of 1 min to do ive had the same problem on mine and there aint nowt u can do about it, just go out and get some more grease, easy as that

Tony

chiark

My wife's old Saxo also had a Concept 100 fitted by Max and suffered from bonnet switch false alarms when wet...

...solution was a small resistor to +12v to pull the switch high unless it absolutely, positively, went to earth.

Re: 600 on wrx/sti - some of the older models did have troubles with the fuel guard, that's all. Not all of them. To check that yours is working, disable the alarm, turn to ignition and wait 30 seconds before cranking the starter motor as usual. The engine should catch, then die after 15 seconds as it doesn't get any more fuel.

Nick.

adge

iTrader: (22)

Had problems with my Clifford 600(Fitted by Max)on my MY00 euro import. It kept cutting out after about 15 secs. Disconnected the wireless guard immobiliser to solve the problem. Max had to fit a whole new alarm unit, no quibbles. Top man Max, wouldn't go anywhere else.

rutt

iTrader: (1)

Cliiford did admit to a problem with wrx imports due to a noisy ignition system.A technical bullletin was sent to all dealers telling of a unit modification adding more suppresion to stop them locking up.the back of your unit should say wrx modified or have a red dot after the serial number{this applies to all new cliiford not just600}.Your problem is a bad bonnet switch not the above though.

Gary- X705+++

My local clifford dealer will not fit alarms to jap imports ( STi / Wrx ).
myne a euro import they fitted no probs.

ian/555

Rutt,
is it ok to use the virtual immobiliser feature on imports then if they are fitted
with an alarm with more suppression?