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Meta M351A
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 2:12 pm
by AJFalco
A bit of information for you all.
I have a Meta M351A alarm/immobilizer fitted to my falco. Tried to start her today and found the alarm will not disarm

After looking through the web and speaking to a Meta engineer it appears this particular system suffers from dead battery syndrome. If your main battery go's flat for a length of time ( as little as a week apparently) the internal one on the alarm dies resulting in this situation. The later models can be overridden with a code to activate the system again but not the M351A
This is a PAIN IN THE ASS! I have got to get the engineer to completely remove the alarm @£125 (the "local" one for Meta is in Hemil Hempstead - I'm in Portsmouth) 180mile round trip! Also poor old Rick is/was coming to have a look at her tomorrow night

( hope this doesn't put you off mate) and I now have to drop the asking price as she won't have an alarm when I sell her
So, a warning to you all. Keep that battery full or it could be very expensive!

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 2:31 pm
by Kwackerz
and I now have to drop the asking price as she won't have an alarm when I sell her
Removal of alarm = improvement in power to weight ratio.
A plus point when selling..
The alarm shouldnt alter the price too much anyway, unless it's a top notch Thatcham
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 3:17 pm
by AJFalco
Well as I had told Rick it had an alarm and a replacement is £200-300 I dropped the price for him ( if he decides not to buy her I will stick her on
Bike trader for nearer the price I originally wanted.)
I think it's only fair in this instance

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 3:38 pm
by D-Rider
1) If it has died beyond all means of recovery due to such a basic occurrence, then I would feel it's not "fit for purpose" - especially if the instructions that it came with don't warn of this. If it's less than 6 years old, you may well have a right to it being repaired or replaced under the sale of goods act.
2) If all you are going to do is remove it (not get it fixed and reinstalled), then why don't you consider removing it yourself?
I have a Meta on mine - I got it second hand and fitted it myself. Although Meta will not supply any fitting instructions, the chap that sold it to me had labelled all of the wires when he removed it from his Falco and also marked up the wiring diagram so it was easy for me to fit. As long as you can confidently read a wiring diagram and do things methodically it should not be an impossible task.
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 4:06 pm
by Aladinsaneuk
Am on my phone so cannot research it myself but some one else posted here with problems with an alarm - I replied with some work arounds for the wrong alarm... But try them....
I think though I could be wrong, click the clicker as normal then key into ignition. Then hold clicker down for ten seconds or so. Then try it
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 4:49 pm
by Kwackerz
Just been reading the meta site.. and the instructions for the 351
LOCATION With the system disarmed, pressing the transmitter button for 6 seconds will
activate the alarm and hazard lights for 14 seconds of operation, after which the system will be
placed in the arming mode II.
have you tried to do the 'locate' and see if that resets it?
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 5:11 pm
by Kwackerz
Just read a few forum posts around the net and one of the alarm forums said once the internal alarm battery is flat, it's a throwaway.
I see that as a challenge rather than a fact.. there must be a way of recharging the internal battery...
http://abacuscaralarms.co.uk/members/fo ... topic=2608
Theres a clue in there...

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 6:09 pm
by AJFalco
Aladinsaneuk wrote:Am on my phone so cannot research it myself but some one else posted here with problems with an alarm - I replied with some work arounds for the wrong alarm... But try them....
I think though I could be wrong, click the clicker as normal then key into ignition. Then hold clicker down for ten seconds or so. Then try it
Tried that..............nope
Also tried every other combination of on/off/hold button for x amount of time.............nope
At this point I am fairly sure its utterly dead

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 8:18 pm
by Aladinsaneuk
try calling 07640018881 in the morning.....
very useful chap
Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 10:19 pm
by AJFalco
Aladinsaneuk wrote:try calling 07640018881 in the morning.....
very useful chap
Thanks for that but I have arranged for the engineer to remove it tomorrow morning ( it needs to be done quick because I am not known for my patience and there are large hammers in my garage )

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 11:51 pm
by rick
I'll be there don't you worry
Will probably need a very strong coffee though after a 5am alarm, 2miles of walking, 120mins on train and then 180miles on the car
I must be mad

Posted: Sun Mar 21, 2010 11:57 pm
by Aladinsaneuk
you are demonstrating the right mindset for falco ownership young padwan.....
Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 12:01 am
by rick
Of course there will also be the small matter of 7.5 hours of work as well... and unfortunately I'm on bleep so it'll be a busy day.
Better pack some red bull
I feel this may not be a wasted trip though

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 12:15 am
by AJFalco
Coffee as and when needed and might even do ya a bacon sarnie too

Posted: Mon Mar 22, 2010 6:10 am
by Aladinsaneuk
ah
rick did tell you he was Jewish didn't he?
Or do you have some Kosher Bacon?
/joke!