SIGMA M Series

[RED BARON]

Hi, I have a SIGMA M Series Alarm/Immobiliser fitted in my 1990 Excel se. I have garaged it for the winter as usual. I managed to program the system to turn off the Central Locking and the Alarm a while back. But the system won't let you turn off the Immobiliser, so you always have to use the Fob.
Whenever I go to start it I turn the Ignition on wait for the Pump to stop ticking, press the Fob and you can here the Relay click in the n/s footwell then the Engine will start.
In the Past the Relay only clicks on Fob press a couple times the more I leave between runs.
Went out today to start it and Ignition and Pump work but Relay will not click to enable the Engine to start no matter how many times pressed, even the Key Pad will not do it.
Any ideas as to what to do?
Is there this Relay that can be changed in the System?

[Alan_M]

Alarms were not factory fitted, so how they’re fitted will vary. It would either be after market or dealer fitted, so nothing in service notes. Is it an alarm specific relay that’s not working, or one of the normal relays?
Maybe worth searching on line for the wiring/fitting instructions to see what relay it may have.

[RED BARON]

No Alan, I have disabled the Alarm and the Central Locking by the system instruction in the Manual, but it's the Immobiliser Relay that won't respond by using the Key Fob or the Key Pad so that I can start the Engine. You can't disable that in the Manual. Also the battery does have plenty of charge.

[Alan_M]

Sorry, I’m confused. As far as I was aware the cars didn’t come with an immobiliser as standard, so assumed it was part of the fitted alarm system.

[RED BARON]

Yes Alan, the Immobiliser is part of the SIGMA M series Alarm system fitted as an after market thing. As said the Manual will allow Alarm, C/L to be turned off but not the Immobiliser that stops you starting the car. In normal conditions the Fob is pressed when the Ignition is on, then you get a sound as if a relay clicks on, then you can start the car. Even the Key Pad won't do it. I have tried looking for install or wiring details but can't find any.
These systems seem it have been fitted in lots of these cars when new.

[MetBlue]

I don't know the Sigma M alarm. My 1991 car has ( had) a Serpi Star alarm ( Fob has just one button, is rectangular with one corner cropped off).
It doesn't work, but so far I've been in the mode of "If cars working, don't mess"

Quick Google shows Subaru seem to use the Sigma M a lot, so might be worth looking at a Scubbie Forum.
It's a complete guess on my part, but is the battery in your Fob good? Is the Fob old so the button has simple stopped making contact? Tony
Again a guess, but I suspect the Sigma Control module has a relay in it ( which is what you used to hear) which is interrupting the 12V feed to the coil.

Tony

[rbgosling]

My car had an aftermarket or dealer fit immobiliser. When it started playing up, I investigated the wiring. Turned out to be pretty straightforward - one of the wires going into the coil was diverted through the immobiliser, so the immobiliser needed to complete the circuit to get the coil to work. Reconnected the relevant wire directly to the coil (as per standard wiring diagram) sorted the issue. There was a similar divert for the supply to the starter motor solonoid (or possibly relay) which I've also returned to standard. And one for the fuel pump, which is still in place until I either get round to sorting it, or it stops working (whichever comes first!).

Of course, yours may be different...

[RED BARON]

I've decided that I need professional help to sort this, to get it started. Whilst having to pay for this it might be cheaper to have it all ripped out as I can't find out how to fix it.
Again today used the Key Pad code to override the system as if the Fob had been lost as stated in the Manual, only to find the Alarm and Central Locking is now back working as both had been disarmed by use of the Manual. That should have over ridden the system to allow me to start the Engine but it didn't. Only set the Alarm off, the Ignition comes on but won't turn over.
So have booked an Alarm installer recommended by Sigma to come on the 17th of Feb. to take it out at some cost about £300 once and for all. It's not needed as when I go out the car is not left, also it's stored in the Garage with the others that is House Alarmed and has CCTV in.
If this works out ok then I will do the same with the other one before that give me trouble.

[RED BARON]

Just a update just had the Sigma M30 Alarm/Immobiliser taken out today, didn't take them very long. Cost me £200 but at least I can now Start it so well worth the money. I will get the other one done later.